Top 5 Programming Languages for Beginners
For any beginners who have just started to learn how to code or for anyone who would like to start it can be a little bit daunting! There are many different programming languages to choose from and sometimes it can be difficult to choose which one to start with or which one would suit you.
Here is a list of 5 of the most popular programs among beginners compiled by the CoderDojo Team!
Javascript
JavaScript
JavaScript is another language which is in high demand at the moment, but it is not to be confused with Java! Java is a programming language while JavaScript is a scripting language. It is relatively easy to learn but perhaps not as easy as something like Python. It runs on every single platform and is already in your browser for you to start learning which means you do not need to install it. If you want to build anything for the web then JavaScript must be on your list of programs to learn.
You can start using JavaScript straight away to start building websites and games for the web. It is one of the fundamental technologies which the web we know of today is built on. It is dynamic and is flexible to use on object-oriented programming. It derives much of its syntax from The C Language (discussed below).
It can be used across multiple web browsers and is definitely essential for developing interactive or animated web functions. JavaScript has some of the best online learning material and it lets you start learning straight away.
Learn JavaScript here
python
Python
Python is one of the most widely-used high-level programming languages. This is mostly because it is simple, readable and you can use fewer lines of code to express a concept than you would have to with other languages. It is a scripting language which allows you to produce a lot of code in short periods of time.
It is opensource and free and there are a lot of tools and documentation available for learning Python. There are some great official tutorials which are easy to follow and there is less of an emphasis on syntax which would suit beginners. It is a good stepping stone for moving on and learning other object-oriented languages.
Python is used by companies such as Google, Yahoo! and NASA. Django, which is the web application framework written by Python, powers very popular sites such as Instagram, Pinterst and The New York Times.
Learn Python here
Ruby
Ruby
Ruby is a dynamic, object-oriented scripting language that is used in the development of websites and mobile apps. It is similar to Python in that it is simple and readable. It is usually focused on web-based applications. It is the language that powers their framework, Ruby on Rails, which is behind websites such as Twitter, Groupon and GitHub.
There is starting to be a greater demand for programmers with a knowledge of Ruby on Rails which means that learning Ruby is a step in the right direction if you are looking for a job as a programmer.
It is easy to learn with a helpful 20 minute quick start guide on the official Ruby website. It is straightforward and easy to read with a large community behind it of programmers willing to answer questions. There is a lot of documentation available as well as great resources which will help you to grasp Ruby from the very beginning.
Learn Ruby here
java 2
Java
Java is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Java 1.0 was released in 1995 on the principle of ‘Write Once Run Anywhere’. It is a class-based, object-oriented language which is designed to be portable which means that you can find it on all platforms, operating systems and devices.
Java is usually the standard programming language for interactive web-based content, video games and mobile apps. It adds to the capabilities of the C++ language so if you already have a knowledge of C++ it will help with learning Java, but is not necessary. Some people can find Java slightly hard to grasp to begin with but it is a must learn for beginners.
Java has been used for so long that there is lots of information about it on the web. This is ideal for beginners because this means that almost certainly any question you have has already been asked and answered by someone else in the Java community. It has an incredible toolset and great editors which let you know straight away if you have any errors. Java programming is a highly sought after skill and knowledge of it opens a lot of doors in terms of employment.
Learn Java here
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Blockly
Blockly is a free program that is a basic, visual language. It can be used by everyone, old or young. The user learns to write programs by putting blocks together to create simple functions. Each visual object is also a code object.
The aim of Blockly is to use the blocks to generate readable code which could be in JavaScript or Python etc. This means that once beginners have mastered it they can then move onto more complicated programs. It’s straight forward drag and drop function can help you to very easily build apps. You can then export what you make and apply it to actual programming languages.
It’s simple set up means that you don’t have to worry about things like syntax errors which can make deciding to learn to code a little less daunting. Blockly is definitely a useful program for anyone who is a bit intimidated by the other languages mentioned.
Learn Blockly here
Computer programming is quickly becoming a huge necessity within our lives. Today, in 90% of professional jobs some degree of computer literacy is expected, with a knowledge of coding becoming a huge advantage. Having an insight into the technology that powers our everyday lives is so interesting and beneficial, which is why we should all be inspired to learn to code!
