Languages

Many people ask which programming language to learn first. This is not the right first question. Each language was designed to solve a different kind of problem. This page explains what each language is used for.

Python

Data, AI, scripting, teaching

Python syntax is close to English words. Many schools and companies use Python as a first language to teach. Most machine learning code is written in Python.

JavaScript

Websites, web apps, this site

Every web browser can run JavaScript. Most interactive parts of websites use JavaScript.

HTML & CSS

Structure & style of web pages

HTML and CSS are not programming languages. HTML describes the content of a page. CSS describes how a page looks. You need both to build web pages.

Java

Android apps, large business systems

Java requires you to state the type of every variable. This makes large Java programs easier to maintain over many years.

C / C++

Operating systems, game engines, embedded devices

C and C++ give you direct control over computer memory. Programs run fast. Python and JavaScript are themselves built using C.

SQL

Talking to databases

SQL is not for building apps. SQL is for asking questions about data stored in a database. Most apps use SQL to store and find data.

Swift

iOS and macOS apps

Apple made Swift for building apps that run on iPhone and Mac computers.

Which language should you learn first?

Python and JavaScript are both good first languages. You see results right away with both. The ideas on the Syntax page apply to every language on this page. Learn one language well. A second language will take less time to learn than the first one did.