As a first-semester computer science student, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed with all the different advice I'm getting about which programming language to start with. My professor recommends Java, while a senior suggested Python. Then there's someone else insisting on C++, claiming it's essential for building a solid foundation. I've been switching between all three for two weeks, and honestly, nothing is sticking. I'm not looking to land a job right now; I really just want to grasp the basics of programming before my classes get tougher. What language helped you personally feel the logic of programming click?
5 Answers
Honestly, just pick Java since that's what your professor suggests. It's really important to align with your curriculum. Dive into a course like the University of Helsinki's MOOC to accelerate your learning process. The key is just putting in the hours and making something — any language can work as long as you commit to using it.
I think C is the way to go if you want to really get how a computer functions. You should look into the CS50 course from Harvard. It's free and focuses on C in the first several weeks, which really helps you grasp how things work under the hood.
If you want to understand how computers work at a fundamental level, I would suggest starting with C. It's closer to how computers operate compared to high-level languages. Many languages are influenced by C, so it gives you a strong foundation to build on. Yes, it can be tricky with pointers and memory management, but it really helps you understand why other languages behave the way they do.
I totally agree! I struggled a lot with Java at first before I gave Python a try, and it clicked for me because of how straightforward the syntax was. I think starting with Python helped me see results without getting lost in complex details.
For me, Python was the game changer! Its clean syntax allowed me to focus on problem-solving instead of getting bogged down in complicated syntax rules. Once I was confident with Python, picking up Java and C was a lot easier because I already understood the primary concepts.
I found that a blend of C and some functional programming, like Scheme, helped me the most. Scheme made me think about computing differently, while C taught me the intricate details of how programming really works. But don’t stray too far from what your course covers; stick with the curriculum for exams.
But as a beginner, what can we actually create? Like I tried doing small exercises, but I’m not sure what ‘making something’ really means.