I graduated in a different discipline and now need to build real programming skills for an IT job. My previous coding experience was only superficial, so I want to learn the fundamentals properly rather than just copy solutions. I have an electronics and computer engineering background and am considering Python, but I'm unsure whether it is the best starting point or whether I should begin with something like C, JavaScript, or another language. What would you recommend, why, and how long does it usually take to become comfortable with the basics?
5 Answers
Python is a strong general-purpose starting point. Its syntax is relatively easy to read, there are excellent beginner resources, and it is used in automation, scripting, data work, testing, web services, and many other areas. It also has a large ecosystem, so learning it will not leave you without career options. Just make sure you learn programming concepts instead of relying on generated code or tutorials alone.
You can learn the core ideas fairly quickly, but becoming genuinely comfortable takes consistent practice. Loops, conditionals, functions, and simple data structures might take a weekend or a few weeks depending on your background. Building small useful programs could take a month or two. Fluency, debugging ability, and knowing how to design larger programs usually take much longer, often many months or years. Don’t wait until you understand everything before making projects; you’ll learn faster by building and fixing things.
The exact timeline varies a lot with someone’s background and consistency. A beginner can become productive quickly, but thinking like a programmer and writing reliable code takes continued practice.
If you already know the specific role you want, look at job descriptions for that role and follow the technologies that appear repeatedly. Don’t choose a language just because it is supposedly the best for jobs in general. Learn one language well enough to build several small projects, then add the tools that employers in your target area use. A focused portfolio and solid fundamentals matter more than collecting many languages.
A language is only one part of learning to program. Focus on variables, control flow, functions, data structures, debugging, version control, and basic problem solving. Choose a project connected to your interests or current work so you have a reason to keep going, and try to find a teacher, colleague, or study group who can help when you get stuck. Since you have an electronics background, C could eventually be valuable for understanding lower-level systems and embedded work, but it is not necessary as your first language unless that is the job you are targeting.
Why would you recommend learning C later if Python is easier to start with?
Start by identifying the kind of work you want to do. The best first language depends on the field: JavaScript is common for web development, SQL is essential for data and databases, C or C++ can be useful for embedded and electronics work, and Java or C# appear often in larger business systems. If your goal is simply to learn programming fundamentals and build useful tools, Python is a very practical choice.
My main goal is an IT job, and I’m interested in learning deeply rather than treating it as a hobby. I was leaning toward Python because it seems approachable.
That sounds like the direction I’ll take. I learn at a slower pace, but I want to understand the basics properly and keep practicing.