Embarking on the journey of learning to code often begins with a simple question typed into a search engine late at night. It usually goes something like, “Learn __.” But the real puzzle isn’t the “learn,” it’s filling in that blank. How do aspiring programmers decide which language to pursue first?
Perhaps you’ve overheard tech enthusiasts joking about Java, or maybe the buzz around up-and-coming languages like Haskell has caught your ear. Maybe even the appealing mascot of Go has piqued your interest.
For many beginners, the search query is more direct: “Which programming language should I learn first?” This is such a common question that it has been visualized in infographics, highlighting its universal appeal and the desire for clear guidance.
Choosing your first programming language can feel like a personality quiz – intriguing, but with real-world consequences. While it might be tempting to pick a language based on fleeting interests, remember that mastering even the basics of coding requires a significant investment of time and effort – hundreds of hours, in fact.
Therefore, it’s crucial to consider several key factors before making your decision:
- Job Market Demand: Is there a strong demand for professionals skilled in this language?
- Long-Term Prospects: Is the language likely to remain relevant and grow in the future?
- Ease of Learning: How beginner-friendly is the language?
- Project Potential: What kind of projects can you build while learning to stay motivated and build a portfolio?
The landscape of programming languages is constantly evolving, with new languages emerging and trends shifting. To gain a clearer picture, let’s examine the popularity of different languages based on Google search trends over the past decade:
The graph reveals interesting trends. Java, while historically significant, has experienced fluctuations. Python has steadily climbed to become a widely favored choice. However, a closer look reveals the consistent and recent growth of JavaScript.
Before diving deeper, it’s important to establish a few key points:
- No objectively “best” language: Different languages are suited for different tasks and contexts.
- Learning multiple languages is beneficial: Expanding your skillset with diverse languages is valuable in the long run.
- Mastering one language first is crucial: Building a solid foundation in one language makes learning subsequent languages much easier.
With these points in mind, let’s explore why JavaScript emerges as a compelling choice for your first programming language. We’ll start by examining how programming is traditionally taught and how that compares to the realities of the industry.
Computer Science 101: Bridging Academia and Industry
Traditionally, universities have approached programming as a branch of computer science, often linked to mathematics or electrical engineering. However, as famously stated by Eric S. Raymond, “Computer science education cannot make anybody an expert programmer any more than studying brushes and pigment can make somebody an expert painter.”
Many introductory programming courses in academia still emphasize theoretical computer science principles over practical application. This often leads to a focus on lower-level languages like C or mathematically oriented languages like MATLAB. Curriculum decisions are sometimes influenced by programming language rankings like the TIOBE Index or the IEEE Spectrum ranking.
These rankings often show consistency over time, reflecting the established presence of languages like Java and C. However, the landscape is gradually shifting, even within academia.
Notably, in 2014, Python surpassed Java as the most popular introductory language in top US Computer Science programs.
This shift towards Python reflects a move towards more accessible and versatile languages in education. Yet, when we examine the languages actually used in the professional world, a different picture emerges:
JavaScript dominates as the most widely used language among developers, as evidenced by Stack Overflow’s extensive developer survey. It’s essential for front-end web development, increasingly important for back-end development, and expanding into areas like game development and the Internet of Things.
Furthermore, job postings reflect this demand. JavaScript is second only to Java in the number of job listings that mention it.
This strong industry relevance is a key reason why platforms like freeCodeCamp have built their curriculum around JavaScript. The goal is to equip learners with skills that are directly applicable to the job market.
But is JavaScript the right choice for you as your first language? Let’s delve into the factors mentioned earlier to evaluate JavaScript’s suitability.
Factor #1: The Job Market – High Demand, Less Competition
If your primary motivation for learning to code is purely intellectual curiosity, the job market might be less of a concern. However, for most aspiring programmers, gaining employment is a significant goal. In this context, the job market demand for a language is a critical consideration.
As previously mentioned, Java leads in the sheer number of job postings, with JavaScript closely following. However, the crucial distinction lies in the supply and demand dynamic. JavaScript, despite being around for two decades, has only recently become the backbone of large-scale applications for companies like Netflix, Walmart, and PayPal.
This relatively recent surge in enterprise adoption has created a situation where the demand for JavaScript developers significantly outweighs the supply.
For every open Java position, there are approximately 2.7 Java developers competing. The competition for PHP and iOS jobs is similarly intense. However, for each JavaScript job opening, there are only about 0.6 JavaScript developers available. This clearly indicates a “seller’s market” for JavaScript skills, meaning developers with JavaScript expertise are in a highly advantageous position.
Factor #2: Long-Term Prospects – Growth and Innovation
Beyond immediate job demand, the long-term prospects of a programming language are vital. Is the language stagnating, or is it evolving and growing? In the case of JavaScript, the signs point towards robust long-term growth and continued relevance.
One indicator of a language’s vibrancy is the activity within its ecosystem. JavaScript projects on platforms like GitHub receive twice as many pull requests on average compared to Java, Python, or Ruby projects. Furthermore, JavaScript is experiencing faster growth than any other popular language.
This growth is fueled by substantial investment in JavaScript from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Netflix. These companies contribute significant resources and engineering talent to enhance the JavaScript ecosystem. For instance, TypeScript, a statically-typed superset of JavaScript, benefits from over 100 open-source contributors, many of whom are paid employees from Microsoft and Google.
This level of cross-company collaboration and investment is less common in languages like Java. Oracle, which owns Java, has a history of litigating against companies seeking to extend or modify it, potentially hindering open innovation.
Factor #3: Difficulty to Learn – Beginner-Friendly Syntax
Generally, programmers agree that high-level scripting languages are easier to learn compared to lower-level compiled languages. JavaScript, alongside Python and Ruby, falls into this category of beginner-friendly languages.
Despite universities often starting with languages like Java and C++, these are considerably more challenging for beginners due to their complexity and steeper learning curves. JavaScript’s more forgiving syntax and dynamic nature make it more approachable for those new to programming concepts.
Factor #4: Project Versatility – Build Anything, Share Easily
This is where JavaScript truly shines. JavaScript’s ability to run directly in web browsers on virtually any device provides unparalleled versatility. You can build a wide array of projects with JavaScript and easily share them with anyone with an internet connection.
Jeff Atwood, co-founder of Stack Overflow, famously articulated this with “Atwood’s Law”: “Any application that can be written in JavaScript, will eventually be written in JavaScript.” This prediction has proven remarkably accurate as JavaScript’s reach expands into new domains.
While Java once aimed for cross-platform compatibility with Java Applets, these have become obsolete. Python, while versatile, can face challenges in distributing projects to others without requiring installations or specific environments.
In contrast, JavaScript projects can be readily shared and accessed through web browsers. Here are examples of projects built by the freeCodeCamp community directly in the browser on platforms like CodePen:
Star Wars-themed Wikipedia Search
A roguelike dungeon crawler game
Master One Language, Then Expand Your Horizons
It’s crucial to avoid the trap of constantly switching between languages without truly mastering any of them. To progress beyond the basics, you need to deeply understand your first language. Once you have a solid foundation, learning subsequent languages becomes significantly easier.
After mastering your first language, you can then branch out and explore other languages to become a more versatile developer:
- C: Excellent for understanding computer fundamentals like memory management and essential for high-performance computing.
- C++: Widely used in game development and performance-critical applications.
- Python: Powerful for data science, statistics, machine learning, and scripting.
- Java: Still relevant in large enterprise environments and Android development.
However, for your first language, JavaScript stands out as the most practical and strategic choice.
Now, let’s address some common objections that might arise when recommending JavaScript as a first language.
Objection #1: Isn’t JavaScript Slow?
The perception of JavaScript as a slow language is largely outdated. Modern JavaScript engines are highly optimized, and for most practical purposes, JavaScript performs comparably to high-performance languages.
In fact, Node.js (JavaScript on the server-side) is significantly faster than languages like Python, Ruby, and PHP. It also approaches the speed of compiled languages like C++, Java, and Go.
Benchmark tests demonstrate JavaScript’s competitive performance:
Objection #2: But JavaScript Isn’t Statically Typed
JavaScript, like Python and Ruby, is dynamically typed. This offers flexibility but can also lead to runtime errors if type mismatches occur. For example, accidentally assigning a string to a variable intended to hold an array can cause unexpected behavior.
exampleArray = [1, 2]; // Array assignment
exampleArray.length; // Returns 2 (correct)
exampleArray = "text"; // Accidental string reassignment
exampleArray.length; // Returns 4 (string length, not array length - potential error)While dynamic typing requires careful coding and testing, it also contributes to JavaScript’s ease of learning and rapid development cycles. For developers who prefer static typing, TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript, provides static typing features. Learning JavaScript first provides a smooth transition to TypeScript.
Objection #3: But I Want to Build Mobile Apps
Even if your primary goal is mobile app development, starting with JavaScript is still a sound strategy.
- JavaScript for Mobile App Development: Frameworks like React Native and Angular Cordova enable building native mobile apps using JavaScript.
- Backend Development: Mobile apps often require robust backends, and Node.js with frameworks like Express.js is a popular choice for building these backends efficiently using JavaScript.
Furthermore, the mobile app landscape is evolving. While mobile apps are heavily used, the explosive growth of app downloads has plateaued. Users primarily use a few core apps like social media and navigation. The demand for dedicated mobile app developers is becoming concentrated in larger companies.
The future of development is increasingly web-centric. “The web” is becoming the universal platform, connecting devices from computers and smartphones to smart home devices and vehicles. JavaScript, as the language of the web, is positioned to be central to this interconnected future.
Objection #4: Isn’t JavaScript a “Toy Language” Created in 10 Days?
JavaScript’s history is indeed quirky and rapid. It was created in a short timeframe, and early versions had limitations. This has led to some criticism and jokes at its expense.
However, like C++, which also faces criticism, JavaScript has thrived despite its quirks. It has become ubiquitous and powerful. As Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++, famously said: “There are only two kinds of programming languages: those people always bitch about and those nobody uses.”
In conclusion, if you’re asking “What Coding Language Should I Learn?”, JavaScript emerges as a highly recommended starting point. Its strong job market demand, promising long-term prospects, beginner-friendliness, and project versatility make it an exceptional choice for aspiring programmers.
By focusing on mastering JavaScript first, you’ll gain a valuable and in-demand skillset that opens doors to a wide range of development opportunities, setting you on a successful path in the world of programming.
