I've got a decent grasp of Python and I'm thinking about learning a second programming language. I'm looking for something that's relatively simple. I've heard JavaScript (JS) and Go are good options, although I'm not really interested in web development and I'm not even sure what Go is typically used for. I know C and C++ are more complex, but I'm even tempted to dive into those. Sometimes I feel out of my depth when chatting about programming because I don't understand the jargon used in C/C++. Any advice on what direction I should take?
5 Answers
Why not give C# a shot? It's beautiful and strikes a balance between simplicity and power. Plus, it's just plain fun to work with! That could keep you engaged while you learn more about programming concepts.
Learning a new language should ideally have a solid motivation behind it. If you're not going to use the language regularly, it might be better to focus on refining your Python skills. Maybe consider picking a language only after identifying a clear need for it in your projects.
If you're ready for something more advanced, C and C++ could be extremely beneficial, especially for understanding memory management. Starting with C will give you that foundational knowledge, and then you can tackle C++ which builds on C. Just be prepared, those languages can get intense!
When picking a language, it really depends on the kinds of projects you want to work on. If you're looking to make a chess bot (that sounds cool, by the way!), you might want to consider other languages that align with that kind of work. It's also good to learn languages that challenge your understanding and introduce you to concepts you wouldn’t encounter in Python.
If web development isn't your thing, JS might not be the ideal choice for you. It's handy for web, but its skill set overlaps significantly with Python. Focus on deepening your knowledge in Python; once you have a specific project in mind that it can't handle, that might be the time to explore a new language.
I'm really aiming to branch out and try to build something new. I did create a chess bot in Python already, but I'm itching for a new challenge!