Beginners in programming can find it difficult to decide which language to master first. The most popular of them have many appointments, and studying even one or two will give great opportunities. That's where you can start.
Python
Developers love Python for versatility, while it is increasingly used in highly specialized areas - for example, data science and machine learning. Python regularly ranks first in various lists of programming languages. A Python specialist can access a variety of tasks and projects.
In addition, many developers believe that Python is easy to teach.
Python is the perfect first programming language for beginners. It has a clear and readable syntax that allows you to easily learn the basics of programming and quickly focus on creating solutions for your problems
There are many Python tutorials on the Internet. For example, Python.org offers a convenient introduction to programming and Python. Microsoft has a Python for Beginners video course with dozens of lessons. Most of them last less than five minutes, and all of them - no more than 13 minutes.
Java
Java is a very popular programming language. Its basic principle sounds like WORA - write once, run anywhere (write once, use anywhere). The code can run on any device with a Java virtual machine.
There are many useful resources on the Internet dedicated to Java. InfoWorld describes language updates on a special Java page. If you need the help of an expert community, you can ask questions and check someone else's work on the Oracle forum. There is also a site with training materials. The Reddit forum has a subsection for those who need help and Java tutorials.
After learning the basics of the language, you can test skills on some tasks, in which case the portal HackerRank will suit you.
Kotlin
Although Kotlin is used less than Java and Python, it quickly gained popularity - especially after Google called it the first-class development language for Android.
Google is so eager to make Kotlin a popular language that it now offers the Android Basics in Kotlin online course, which is an excellent starting point for beginners. There are also additional courses from Google: Kotlin Bootcamp for Programmers, Android Kotlin Fundamentals, Advanced Android in Kotlin.
Most Kotlin developers use this language to create mobile applications, but it is increasingly used for desktop applications, backend and the Internet of Things (IoT). Even if you are not interested in creating apps for Android, this language is worth learning.
Swift
Previously, developers working in the Apple ecosystem could only program on Objective-C. Three decades later, Apple decided that the time had come for something new. In 2014, Apple launched its own programming language Swift.
Swift will be useful for those who are interested in creating applications and services for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and everything else that Apple can launch over the next few years (for example, an OS with augmented reality). Knowledge of iOS is also important if you make products that interact with mobile applications and services.
If you are learning Swift elements, learn about functions, cycles, sets, arrays, and rows, and structures and classes. Swift Playgrounds, although aimed at children, is useful for novice Swift programmers of all ages.
JavaScript
If you want to develop applications or sites, you should study JavaScript. Newcomers will be suited to the modern textbook JavaScript, in which the elements of the language are divided into separate modules. Full Stack Academy also has free courses. Once you understand the basics of language, start learning frameworks that can simplify the workflow.
In addition, if you are studying JavaScript, you should learn as much as possible about TypeScript, an extended version of JavaScript that has just been released in version 4.0. Whether or not you think TypeScript is an independent programming language, you can't deny that it has features that can speed up your programming on JavaScript.
According to a 2020 survey of Stack Overflow developers, about 67.1% of surveyed developers said they like TypeScript, which is higher than Python (66.7%) and Kotlin (62.9%).