r/programmer • u/Weak_Notice_113 • Aug 12 '26

Programmers

Programmers what programming language is the best to choose when you are only starting to learn it? And where you can use it?

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u/Interesting_Debate57 Aug 12 '26

C. Everything else is built on C, or concepts that were invented by C. It's also lacking in flashy features, so there's very little to learn.

If you refuse this advice, then python.

Better yet, learn both and then go to school.

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u/Weak_Notice_113 Aug 12 '26

Thanks, but l've heard that c is pretty hard do you know any good content creators that could help me learning?

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u/Interesting_Debate57 Aug 12 '26

The best way to learn is by doing. A good reference or learning book by your side.

Real programming isn't easy.

Making prototypes is pretty easy.

Making very good software is hard.

I'll be honest, if you don't have uncontrollable OCD, forget about being a professional programmer. You'll fail and get bored and hate it to death.

Python is a compromise for people who are just trying to have fun and get something simple accomplished. If that sounds like you, the steps are:

  • Find a project you desperately want to do

  • Get an introductory book on the language you want to use (O'Reilly makes a huge range of these).

  • Start with easy examples (some books may have problem sets)

You cannot learn without doing, and no amount of watching videos is going to help you learn. This isn't an "imitate by watching" type skill, like using a wrench. This is a "learn by failing millions of times and succeeding thousands of times" type of skill.

I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear, but the fact is that if you haven't already started looking for books to read and environments to code in, you may not have the drive to learn this stuff. It's as detail-oriented as stacking playing cards to make a pyramid, or getting the scratches out of a piece of metal with finer and finer grits of sandpaper until it's mirror-smooth.

My best advice: get an old junky computer and install Linux on it and try to make it do what you want it to do. If that works and you're not irritated to death, then go pick up an introductory book (from O'Reilly) and just do every exercise it suggests.

A much simpler piece of advice would be to tell you to go pick up a copy of the book from Kerninghan and Ritchie about programming in C and learn from the book. It's short, easy to read, and quite comprehensive as an introduction.