I want to make the case that JavaScript should be your first programming language, if you want to build awesome apps and enter into the profitable world of software development.
You see, there are dozens of programming languages. The popular ones are Java, C#, C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and PHP. So what makes one better than the other and why can't we just have one programming language? So we don't even have to worry about making a choice.
Well, we wish that!
Programming languages are no different than human languages. We have Urdu, English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, and Hindi, to name a few. They all were created at a different point in time for their own local purposes.
Programming languages also are invented for a specific kind of problem the programmer is trying to solve.
For instance, PHP was specifically developed for web development. Java was created with the goal of cross-platform application development, and Ruby was created on the ideology of a simple coding style.
Overtime programming languages are adopted by developers and they evolve overtime.
Developers choose to use programming languages in their own ways and start improving them. Just the way a human language evolves naturally by the contribution of its speakers, similarly a programming language evolves for better or for worse by the developers who use and contribute to it.
How JavaScript got started...
JavaScript was started as a browser-based language and was quickly thrown together by Brendan Eich, the then employee of Netscape Browser, in mere 10-days. Since it was created in a hurry to meet deadlines and fight the browser competition, JavaScript was not that good.
It was not respected by the developer community and quite frankly was not understood.
Lack of understanding of JavaScript lead to poor usage, which led to bad software which fed the disliking of JavaScript among developers.
Years went by, JavaScript was ignored, but the web, internet, and the usage of browsers grew. The more the internet got popular, the more JavaScript became a necessary language for companies who wanted to survive in the web world.
Slowly but surely developers and corporations started to take JavaScript seriously and started to improve the language.
JavaScript matured quickly and soon JavaScript evolved to be a language that was not only used in the browser, but also on servers, mobile apps, TVs, embedded systems and desktop apps.
#1. How popular is JavaScript Today?
Today JavaScript the #1 programming language
Source: https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2018/#most-popular-technologies
- JavaScript is the most popular programming language - 71.5%
- Java is a far second - 45.4%
- Python is on third position - 37.9%
If that is not definitive enough, let me add:
"For the sixth year in a row, JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language."
Again I am referencing this information from Stack Overflow Developer Survey
What does it mean to be popular?
Popularity means that JavaScript is being used in a lot of places.
Popularity also means that there are more people (developers) working on JavaScript than other programming languages.
Just because JavaScript is popular is not enough for me to suggest that you should pick JavaScript as a programming language to learn.
Here is my second case:
#2. You can build anything and everything with JavaScript
In The Perfect Path to becoming a Job-Ready Developer course, I share with you the 9 main areas of software development, these are:
- Compiler
- Embedded Systems
- Operating Systems
- Data Science
- Video Game Development
- Dev Ops
- Desktop Applications
- Mobile Applications
- Web Applications
Different programming languages are used in different areas of software development, and the awesome thing about JavaScript is that it is used in more areas than any other programming language.
Among the 9 areas, here is where JavaScript is used:
- Compiler
- Embedded Systems ✅- A little
- Operating Systems
- Data Science ✅- A little
- Video Game Development ✅
- Dev Ops
- Desktop Applications ✅
- Mobile Applications ✅
- Web Applications ✅- A lot
This means that you can build more kinds of software with your knowledge of JavaScript than any other programming language.
Here is a quick table to compare different programming languages and their capabilities.
You see...
- PHP can only be used for website backends
- Python is mostly used for Data Scient and website backend
- Ruby is used for scripts and website backends
- JavaScript is used in Web Front-End, Back-End, Mobile, Desktop, and even TV apps
#3. JavaScript is used by major corporations in a major way.
Sure sure, JavaScript is popular and has more capability, but is it really used by the big boys?
Here are a few companies who use JavaScript in a major way:
- Walmart & LinkedIn built their website backend with JavaScript
- Facebook, Instagram and Tesla mobile apps are built with JavaScript
- Microsoft VS Code, Slack, Skype Desktop apps are built with JavaScript
- Every major corporation's website uses JavaScript - Youtube, Google, Amazon, Netflix, Coca Cola, Apple, etc
Here are some more companies who use JavaScript in a major way:
If it's good enough for the big guys, I feel it should be good enough for me.
But just to keep the record straight, a fair question is ask is - Is JavaScript fast?
#4. JavaScript is fast according to many benchmarks
Performance is a complicated topic. It's very common for newbies to do countless google searches to see which programming language is fast so they can build their apps using the fastest programming language. I know this because I did when I was starting off and I find many of my students do the same.
Here is the real answer.
You can NOT compare the programming languages' performance speed in isolation. Performance benchmarks of programming languages are done in the context in which the programming language is used.
Comparing the speed of speaking English and speaking Chinese is a stupid and pointless comparison. Same applies for programming languages.
So what does it mean when we talk about the performance of a programming language?
Since a programming language can be used in different environments, use cases and for different purposes, some features of a programming language may work faster in some areas, and it may be slower in others.
For example, when building high-frequency trading apps, programmers use C programming language because it gives low-level capability to shred time. Using C for a web application would be an overkill.
Tips for newbies: "Stop searching which programming language is the fastest"
It's not a useful question to ask.
However, if you know the purpose of your application then it is very helpful to research which programming language will suit your purpose and then build your application with it. Such research takes a lot of time, and this should be left for the pros. Not newbies.
When PayPal was adopting JavaScript, they documented on their blog how their app performance increased when they switched from Java to JavaScript.
I share this, just to debunk the phrase "x language is slow"
#5. JavaScript is in demand
Programming, in general, is in demand these days but particularly website front-end development is in high demand. Guess which programming language is used in Front-End Development? JavaScript.
The good news for you is that there are not many skilled JavaScript developers in the market, this makes it easier for newer developers to quickly get a job. Employers are forgiving because they need these skilled people who are difficult to find. Once you have the right skills, getting a job is easier.
#6. JavaScript developers are paid well
Developers in general, are paid well due to the technical nature of their work. Plus businesses need developers for their survival.
Here are a few public stats on the pay of a JavaScript developer.
- $111,836/year according to indeed
- $77,908/year according to glassdoor
- $87,000/year according to Stack Overflow
More or less JavaScript developers are paid equally well as a programmer with other skills. It goes without saying that these numbers grow with your skill and experience.
The supply (# of developers) and demand (# of job positions) ratio of the JavaScript market is in the favor of developers these days, hence landing a job is much easier.
#7. JavaScript is a must for web development
JavaScript is the only programming language used to build website interfaces. 99% of all top websites use JavaScript and more and more mobile and desktop apps are being built with it too.
If you want to establish your career as a web developer, you have to learn and master JavaScript.
Conclusion: Choose JavaScript
When choosing a programming language to learn, the number one factor to consider is what is your goal?
- Do you want to build websites, web apps, mobile apps?
- Do you want to enter the world of software development and pursue this career?
- Do you want to make games?
- Do you want to make artificial intelligence models?
What is your goal?
The answer you give to the above will determine which programming language you should pick.
Now if you are lost and undecided on the above questions, you can still make a good decision into picking the right programming language.
When considering which programming language to learn here are the 4 factors you should consider:
- Capability - What can I build with it?
- Income - How much can I earn / How easy is it to get a job?
- Future - Will it remain relevant in the future?
- Difficulty - How difficult/easy is it to learn and master?
Considering everything, including the stats and facts we discussed earlier in this post, JavaScript should be your first programming language.
Here at iLoveCoding, I take you from knowing nothing to becoming a competent Job-ready + build-your-ideas ready JavaScript Developer. You get bootcamp level training, at the fraction of the cost.
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