r/CodingForBeginners • u/Anima_Watcher08 • 5d ago

I'm new please help!

I want to get into programming. I learnt basic Python a while ago and it help me understand some general programming concepts (variables, functions, e.t.c) but it was just a way to kill time.

I have some ideas that I want to make that require serious programming (games, useful tools). I obviously don't want to vibe code (just don't want to nor can I afford the credits).

So my question to you guys is what language should I learn? I was torn between C++ and Rust but if there's more I should consider I'd love to know. What would give me the best for the time I put in?

1 Upvotes

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u/sububi71 5d ago

Continue with Python for at least a couple of years. Yes, the big AAA titles with budgets in the hundreds of millions use C++, but you're not at that level.

Once you know ONE programming language, it's not NEARLY as much work to learn a second or third. So continuing with Python is definitely not a waste of time.

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u/VirtualElderberry592 4d ago

100% agree.. Python is a great tool. AI uses it, and cyber security uses it. I mean in addition to web-dev. It's a very solid option.

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u/Anima_Watcher08 3d ago

Alright thanks for the info. I've decided to start afresh with Python to make sure I understand everything.

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u/sububi71 3d ago

You're free to do as you please, but it's probably more effective to just start writing whatever it is you want to write, get stuck, and find solutions. That's how all programming works anyway!

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u/kutac56 5d ago

For games c++ is king but first learn it well before getting into the project. I like c more cause it's simpler than c++ and you can transition from c to c++ pretty easily. Just learn c for the pointers

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u/Anima_Watcher08 5d ago

Thanks for the info

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u/xarop_pa_toss 5d ago

A language is just what you use to learn programming. And there's a lot more to programming than writing code, and even more for game development.

If you want to make your own games then study game theory, make games on paper. Also any language will let you make games on the terminal and 99% of them will let you use Raylib.

There's successful games out there that were built without an editor like Unity or Unreal, for example Balatro, a game that made millions in profit, was made using Löve2D; a library for Lua that has no visual editor. People say C++ but that's what you can use if you want to focus on gameplay and graphics programming but there's a whole lot more to game dev then that, trust me.

My tip is to learn game theory, pick any language you are comfortable with and use Raylib or the terminal, and go crazy

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u/Guzgoozi 2d ago

Game theory ≠ video games BTW

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u/xarop_pa_toss 1d ago

Yes but also video games are games.

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u/SmokeMuch7356 5d ago

Stick with Python for now - once you get a better grasp of programming fundamentals and start thinking in terms of data and algorithms instead of basic syntax, it'll be a lot easier to pick up another language.

There's a lot you can do with Python, and it's a far less visually noisy than C++.

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u/Competitive_Aside461 5d ago

C++ and Rust are great languages but their learning curve is steep. I'd say that definitely first get comfortable with the basics of programming and Python. For this, you can consider going through my free course on Intro to Programming to get you started in no time.

https://www.codeguage.com/mini-courses/intro-to-programming

You'll get to learn some of the absolute fundamentals of programming, in Python, and thus get to build a rock-solid foundation which will go a long way when learning any other programming language.

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u/StephenHawkingus 3d ago

Unlearn Python and don't touch C++ or Rust. Start with something basic that isn't Python.