Starting your journey in programming can be an exciting but daunting experience. One of the first decisions you'll make is choosing which programmi...
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I didn't chose my first language, they were the one we had at school: Matlab, a tiny bit of C and some weird scientific stuff.
Then JS because… well, it did what I wanted. Chose a Rails bootcamp to start coding for real, because it seemed promising, and I liked it a lot. I think it was really cool for learning and wouldn't mind doing some Rails again.
In the end, I got a React/Svelte (and tiny of Python) job… and it's all great too!
So yeah, the one I truly chose was Ruby, but JS kept being the thing to do again and again 🤷
Matlab is indeed great. "Vectorization".
Technically TI-Basic, a language used to program their TI-83/4 calculators.
But I like to say my journey started with Powerpoint 2003 ( : Because I think elementary-aged me picked up on a ton of useful programming paradigms just by messing with animations and button triggers.
Ohh, TI-Basic, that brings back memories to my TI-84. :D
Wow, TI-Basic. Now that is trip down memory lane to my middle/HS math classes 🤓
Well... my first contact with programming was a small HTML tutorial from a magazine in the late 90s when my handdown computer was still a x386 and we used Netscape on a win 3.1 to access the internet. But I'd say my first real programming language was ASP (O.G.). Then in the early 2000s a friend of my father's said that future of internet was Linux and PHP and then I moved on to the LAMP stack... then JS, but those languages I found in my path as a hobbyist web developer.
The first language I CHOSE ro learn by my own was Vala in 2018, an OOP superset that compiles to C. It helped me study OOP programing and kickstart my professional path as a developer.
ZX Spectrum BASIC - because it was just there - as soon as you turned the machine on
This was 1983 - I was 7 years old
Also me
Vic20 memories
C++, I didn't choose, it was the only language taught in my school.
And I still think it is the go to language for anyone who wants to start programming as it teaches the basics of programming and logic building.
C++ was my first language, because that's what I had access to a book about. There wasn't any Codecademy or CodeNewbie back then so I didn't know better. My next language was Python. That was lucky because if I'd had to deal with pointers and memory management again I might have given up for good. (I wasn't even a teenager yet!) I think it's better to start with a garbage-collected language and move on to manual memory management once you've got a rock-solid understanding of different data types and structures, if ever.
Most recently I learned some Rust to write an extremely performance-sensitive simulation. Rust is a delightful language for people who love to code: internally consistent, safe, and fast, with a compiler that holds your hand and nods encouragingly the whole time.
I didn't choose, VBA chose me...my first experience with programming was writing Excel macros...it has been downhill from there! 🤣💗
I Started "playing" with coding at 6/7 thanks to a relative who was a programmer, using Turbo Pascal.
Then I moved at 11 years old to python since I fell in love seeing my first programming book in a bookshop (python 2.5) and after that Lua .
14 years old C/C++ thanks to school and now I'm using mainly JS/TS .
As obvious, I also had to study (and use for working purposes) php and Java but I'm not so much into these two languages so I tend to forget about those experiences 😁
Wow. My story is kind of similar. I started with Python when I was 10 after going down a rabbit hole of HTML tutorials (for school) and from the same site, I learnt JS and Java basics. Later I started general learning (not from a a fixed resource) and created some basic things using Django. I have been in love with programming ever since.
Actually, I started with basic & assembly programming (8085,8086) during my college days.... because only at that time I was introduced to computers and games. Then all those console games draw me to learn C programming...Even if you are working on modern technologies, please go back and learn these languages.... then we can understand the minds and creations of tech geniuses before decades
My first language was JS. I had broken my back and was stuck in bed for a while. I got bored with my games and decided I wanted to mod Minecraft. At the time I didn't know that Java and JS were different. A year later and I was learning C++ and PHP. My first language used professionally was PHP During the PHP 5 years. I started using PHP 5 to build small websites for companies in my area that allowed them to modify content on their page. No framework. Just what was bad authentication, PHP rendered pages, and a database connection to grab content from the MYSQL server on the LAMP server I setup. I had about 1 site per month that I built for someone. I've now been in the industry for 8 years. 6 of which have been professional.
I am from the 80's. My first language was, I guess, BASIC, just because it was the only language available on the home computers at that time. After BASIC I learned also the Z80 assembler to go faster and because it was fun. At school I learned FORTRAN, more or less at the same time than BASIC (difficult to remember which one was the true first one).
After that I learned whatever language I got the occasion to work with, 90% for curiosity and fun, 10% because of its usefulness. I coded in C, C++, PostScript (which is a full language with loop, conditionals, and stuff...), Pascal (Turbo variant, mostly small personal projects), Matlab, Ruby Emacs LISP, Tcl/Tk, PERL (ugh!) and Ada, few assemblers and shell scripts, PHP and Javascript when forced by the circumstances (I do not love them, deep down I am an Adaist).
The first language I used was bash at school. Then after being interested in coding I picked up python on my own, then changed to Java.
I chose python as it seemed simple enough to learn the basics without all the type and memory nonsense other languages force you to learn. After I learned the basics I went to java and had to learn more about types. I think this is a good way to approach learning coding, first focus on the basics, then start adding more complex topics little by little. This way you don't get as overwhelmed
A few years back my friend showed me a website he made, I asked him how he did it, and he showed me the HTML and CSS code. It was just a fun activity of his, but i wanted to make a website so much that I started learning HTML which was my first programming language.
Started off with C++ because that was what they taught in my college class. However, the day someone from Microsoft visited my class and showcased C# as an upcoming language which I believe was NET Framework 3.5 at the time, it instantly caught my attention.
I went out and bought the "Pro C# 2008 and the .NET 3.5 Platform (Windows.net) 4th Edition" book; a whopping 1370 pages and read every page, and worked every exercise and feature in it. I was hooked on the language and started building everything I could.
Today, I still use C# as my main programming language, but typescript is gaining that same appeal for me with its type safety and ability to be used everywhere for web and desktop applications.
I personally started with Python. I enjoyed creating simple terminal programs and experimenting with different modules and libraries.
During my apprenticeship as an electronics engineer, we learned C in school. At first, we learned how software works, and what functions exist. However, we eventually transitioned to embedded C, which required a deeper understanding.
While I may not have chosen to learn C initially, I found the experience to be invaluable. It taught me how computers work at a fundamental level, as well as the basics of programming, which have proven useful.
Regards
The first language I wrote code in was Z80 Assembly, because at that time, I had nothing else, I was 8 years old and couldn't afford an extra compiler. The second one was Mallard Basic on an old Schneider Joyce.
I learned a few other languages on the way, including C, X86 assembly, Lua, until I became a developer by profession and was drawn into the abyss of web development, where I first learned and then slowly mastered HTML, CSS and JS (and by extension TS). I still try to learn new stuff now and then; the last thing I picked up as a hobby was Rust. Currently, I'm learning C# for a project.
Perl, it was the late 90's and I needed something to distill large text files with regular expressions.
It was during the pandemic that I started.
My first language was JavaScript. It's a very great language for beginners. I could have gone with Python, but JS's syntax is much more C-like which really helps me getting to the next language.
Which is Rust 🦀! This is my favorite programming language, and it's the one I use the most nowadays. The language itself is Cargo is 👌. Traits are 👌. The ecosystem is 👌.
I also went into Python, but that was after Rust. I only use it to write utilities that would be too hard to write in Rust.
The best thing about Python is that the standard library is soo huge: from making hashes to unzipping tarballs. They even have built in interfaces for just so many C or operating system libraries. I don't have to worry about pulling too many dependencies!
In college, I learned Pascal, Assembly, and C as part of my computer science courses. However, if I had the chance to start over with my programming language choices after 30 years of software development experience, I would without a doubt suggest Python as the first language to learn. The reason for this is that Python's syntax closely resembles plain English, making it easier for new coders to grasp computational ideas and theories without having to put in too much brainpower. In other words, it is a more effective language to learn and absorb for most beginners. If new coders are unable to appreciate Python, then it is likely that continuing their programming journey may not be the best option for them. This is another significant advantage of choosing Python.
My first program was in PDP-11 assembly in high school (my brother was in college and I used his account). Since it was all I had available, I learned it. Then we have a Vic20 and it's Basic. My second program ran out of memory on it! Since then I have written sizable programs in 25 computer languages. Currently, most of my programming is in go and JavaScript. In my spare time (when I have any), I like to learn other languages. Currently trying my hand at zig and Erlang.
I originally chose Java because it was popular language, so I had heard, and because my favorite game at the time, Minecraft, used it.
This was when I was young, like 10 to 12 age-range, so I don't remember all the details.
I started with Python in college which is how I got really excited for coding. I think it was a good move to get people interested in the subject without making it seem too daunting. The simplicity and straightforward syntax really encouraged me while being completely new to Computer Science.
The next year we moved on to C so it was quite a shock to say the least, but we were able have a good enough baseline to get through it.
I didn't learn a lot of front end projects in school, and haven't been coding in my job recently, so I wanted to focus on those concepts as a reintroduction. I brushed up on Javascript and now I'm working through React. It's been a fun change of pace moving from a lot of Python experience to building web apps using React!
Java.
Technically HTML, but I don't consider it a language. (It's debatably a declarative language.)
I chose Java because it was popular, and when I did self-research when I was in fifth grade, I heard about how it was used for tons of home appliances, Blu Ray, etc...
I started learning with SoloLearn, the coding version of Duolingo.
Technically, Apple BASIC on an Apple ][+ back in the early 80's, because it was the only option available to me. After that, I started getting into the guts of it with 6502 assembler. And then TurboPascal on an old IBM PC clone, but again, it was what was available to me. From there, it gets fuzzy -- some more Pascal and C++ in college, followed by a mix of Java, Javascript, Perl, PHP, and Ruby.
These days, mostly Javascript and Python, but I am eyeballing learning some Swift, just to expand my knowledge base.
"In Soviet Russia, programming language chooses you" - well, it wasn't Russia but in Eastern Europe in the 80's there were not many choices. I lived in a larger village, the school had 1 C64, 1 C+4, 2 C16s with big old TVs (two of them were black and white). Only the C64 had a 1541 floppy, the others had cassette drives. There were no computer classes at that time but after classes we could go in and learn BASIC and a little assembly. I could only dream about owning a real machine (which happened years later, in high school). After that and especially on the university (and with its internet access) the world opened up. Pascal, C, C++, later Java,... I tried countless languages.
I started with a Java book, then moved quickly to C for my first projects. Even with Java, I started by doing everything manually (javac, etc).
I believe this is the best way to actually understand the bases. Only when you are familiar enough with those concepts, you can move on to higher level languages and tools (IDEs, tool chains, etc). Nothing more effective than going berserk on pointers for days to understand memory management.
I haven't used C in ten years, but I am still glad I chose it to start with.
The first programming language I ever used was Lua. I learned it so that I could write scripts and mods for Garry's Mod. That got me interested in programming in general, so then I learned Java, which was arguably the most popular language at the time. After that I learned LSL (Linden Scripting Language, for the game Second Life), PHP, JavaScript, C/C++, C# in that order. There were a few other languages I dabbled in during university, including Python, Ruby, MIPS assembly, Prolog, Scala, and probably a few that I'm forgetting, but I never really became "fluent" in any of those ones. Now I work mainly with TypeScript and JavaScript. Unfortunately most of my other language skills have atrophied a lot by now.
I started with JavaScript. JavaScript was the language Skillcrush taught students as part of the web designer blueprint in 2015. After that, I learned Ruby and PHP before going back to JavaScript.
Right now I'm back to studying Python. I learned Python a couple years ago, but I'm back reviewing Python since I'll be teaching kids Python basics through Coding with Kids.
back there in 2008 when i was 12 yo i play GTA San Andreas Multiplayer (SAMP), and curious to start my own custom server, so i decide to download the template project and it's using PAWN language, similiar to C (but easier), i never forget this experience that lead me to become Fullstack Developer now :')
I started out with Javascript. I knew nothing at the time and I thought all real/good programmers used binary (thats not a joke)
So I started learning JS not knowing that not all languges can do everything wanting to make a website for something IRL. In hindsight it wasent the worse decision but I should of learned HTML/CSS then. But then covid hit so I stoped learning.
For me, it has been totally accidental. Back in 1998 I wanted to “become an hacker”, dreaming about it since I was a child and I watched “war games”, and a friend told me to install Linux and go on IRC to learn something. I was using my parents PC with Windows, so I’ve installed mIRC and started going there. Then I discovered that mIRC can be modified through something called “scripting”, so I’ve started programming with mIRC scripting without knowing that I was doing the act of programming. Then I discovered that people in Linux used C programming language, “every hacker uses C”, so I’ve started studying and practicing C. Then I’ve discovered security, rootkits, exploits, and started building Linux Kernel Modules based rootkits. That was my start of the journey with programming.
It was Korn shell. (which was required by my employer at the time due to the built-in math functions). After that, I studied C and C++. Along the way I had to pick up TCL and some Python (and of course PERL. Remember PERL?)
Currently I'm studying Angular after a year supporting Javascript.
*Technically* Fortran for school but I usually refer to Python as the first language I was actually committed to
I was taking an intro to computational physics course for my degree back in 2018 and Fortran was the primary language they were teaching (with very limited C++ later into the semester). My prof randomly put Python on blast one day as too slow and useless so out of spite I went back to my dorm that afternoon, downloaded Python, and the rest is history :P safe to say I didn't write any Fortran after finishing that class lol
These days I still use Python a good bit but have professionally expanded heavily into R so that's where a lot of my focus is as well. I kind of ride the line between data science and full stack web development (professionally and hobby) so I tangentially encounter a lot of JavaScript, C++, Sass, shell scripting, SQL, etc. so I'm always studying as needed (and then as a pure hobby project I've started peaking over into Clojure very loosely)
I started with C when I was in middle school like every french geek of my age with the tutorial of M@teo21 on the "Site du zéro". I did a bit of C++ and php shortly after.
Fast forward the university when we started we C (and were I really understood pointer haha) then C++ the next year. After that I stucked with C++ as my main langage even if I learned and used some other langages
HTML, if you consider it a language, back in 2000. I was getting into web design, and related to it I might say Java, since I wanted to add a clock to my sample website and I heard about applets and wanted to try it.
BASIC because that's all the VIC20 supported, then FORTRAN because that's what they taught us at university, then Pascal because Borland's turbo Pascal blitzed the field in performance and blew all our minds, then machine code and assembly as I was having the copy protection out of games, then C because well that's what was used on HP-UX at the time and the emerging internet of the time (ACSnet at first then aarnet and the Usenet) was very C focused. Subsequently Perl because it lent itself well to CGI work on the emerging web.
Really, whatever seemed the obvious choice at the time gauged on availability first then popularity. Today, IMHO Python is a no-brainer (i.e. obvious choice) as an entry point unless you're goals lean you toward Javascript.
At school, in 1990 we started with LOGO. Then ToolBox. Did some BASIC too. But as someone else mentioned, Texas Instrument calculator would really be my first programming so whatever they called that programming language would be my first.
Then it was the early days when JS wasn't yet something and VBScript was trying to compete for a place on Earth. Did a bit of both. Then Perl, because it was there on the web server I was managing. Then Visual Basic and ASP, again, because the shop I worked at had that on their server. Then went on to Java, Python, Ruby, and whatever else I need to code in.
In grade 5, there was a teacher that had 2 Commadore PET computers. SA single piece computer/monitor/keyboard unit. It was a monochrome green screen. I starting programming with Commadore BASIC, with line numbers, GOTO's and GOSUBS. Wow, such memories. :D
Leaned so many languages over the years. Preuniversity, it was different variants of BASIC, and some LOGO. University, it was C/C++, Assembly, Prolog, Lisp, Eiffel, JavaScript, regex, sed, awk, perl and many others.
I settled on C++ because of the metaprogramming it was capable of and it's optimization abilities (though anything that uses the gnu compiler toolchain is privy to the optimizer now). I've been hearing great things about ADA, and might tack that on to my list of languages as it has some theorem proving abilities. In uni, I worked on a project where I was to do theorem proving on Eiffel code by transforming it to a theorem proving language used for validating CPUs so I think this ability should have been in programming languages long ago.
Javascript as my first choice. As a beginner, i was intrigued bh the interactivity of webpages. I made quite a progress into DOM manipulation and Asynchronous Js.
Later, after getting some basic understanding I got my hand into
C > C++ > Python. Soon there will be more onto my stack.
As a Secondary School teacher who used to teach ICT I was told that I was going to be a Computer Science teacher (five years ago). I chose Python to teach the kids, my main regret is not going into programming and being a teacher, but I'm working on this. Now learning JS hopefully if I keep going I'll have some all round skills and enough knowledge to get me an Interview.
My first programming language was Java, because my past dream was to make plugins for Minecraft servers, but in 2022, I was more mature and decided to learn JavaScript because I want to work as a Front-end developer, in September / October of 2022, I started with TypeScript and now TypeScript is my primary language.
At school I did do some C++, VB and bit of Java. But in work life, I have mainly been using C# and somewhat of an JavaScript (Vanilla and frameworks). Lately I’ve been started to use various types of scripting languages and bit of Python.
After watching the all seasons of Mr. Robot the one and only Python, and Bash of course :D
ZX Spectrum BASIC, 80s school.
My first programming language was Pascal, because this was circa 1989-1990. Sorry that I don't have a better reason than that. It was either during, or just after, 8th grade.
BASIC, because that's what the taught at my school at the end of the 1970s.
C++. Because it's a famous language, and I found that "The New Boston" made tutorial for it first. I do JavaScript now because I get paid to do it.
I started off a coding club thinking they were going to teach us Scratch.
Turns out they were teaching us Python.
That’s how Python turned out to be my first programming language.
Assembly, because it was available on the Philips G7000. Basic and again assembly a bit later on the VIC-20.
I'm currently studying HTML.
I chose C++, because there was only a book in library that teaches programming
Started with C++ then moved over to Java, C#, Python, Kotlin, JS and as of right now working with Dart.
FORTRAN; the only option for the only computer available to work on
I started this journey of development this week and I'm starting with Javascript
I started with Python on Codecademy, and then shifted to C to better understand how code works "near the metal"
PHP. I was working as an ad buyer at a marketing agency a contractor who helped us build WordPress sites looked happier than me. I quit that job and picked up WordPress, and then I was happier too.
QBasic - taught at school but i didn't learn much.
Then I started to learn Python. It was reccomended a lot so decided to give it a go, but back then I had no idea what i was doing
I went by WordPress "stack" (HTML, CSS, jquery, PHP) since the demand was so high
I initially started with HTML and CSS and then thrown into learning JavaScript for work and I’m now learning PHP 🙂 which I never thought I’d like but it’s not all bad 😅 haha
I started with python then switched to Javascript to get really deep at this profission
Am starting with html and css, then will be progressing to javascript an sql. I really want to be a professional in frontend development