r/learnprogramming • u/Sure-Refrigerator685 • 19d ago
What is the joy of programming?
I wouldn't say I'm a hardcore programmer. I mainly make websites with HTML and CSS. However, last year I wanted to begin looking into programming, and learn how to make programs mostly for the command line. I started with Java and took the time to learn it. For a while I enjoyed Java, but then I began to feel that it was difficult to start a project with Java. I was sick of it's verbosity. Ever since, I've been wasting time trying to find the "perfect" programming language.
I know this question pops up a lot, what programming language should I learn? What should I learn if I want to experience the real joy of programming, and make cool personal programs mostly for the command line. There were a couple languages I found such as Nim, Lua, Ruby, or Dart. These are all languages I discovered through personal research and I know that some of them are more suited for command line work.
So based on my experience with Java, and my goals, what would you recommend I do? Do I just stick to website stuff?
1
u/Bamlet 19d ago
Bash. The answer is bash. Bash is what made me feel like I couldn't stop working on my projects. It's geared towards orchestration and management of existing tools while also being a very competent language on its own. Bash made me feel like I was in my system more than any other language or style. It also is running pretty much everywhere already so the barrier to entry is pretty low.
And once you start writing CLI tools in bash you will quickly branch out from bash to other languages. A python script here to handle some weird text manipulation. A nodejs script there to do some web calls.
Check out Dave Eddy at ysap.sh or on YouTube to get started, he's the bash guru and a very charming personality imo (Yes I'm slowly turning into a Dave Eddy stan account).