the_matthew•13d agoProlific Poster

My friend said I should start with Python, but my cousin swears by JavaScript

We were at a barbecue last weekend and I mentioned wanting to learn to code. My friend Mike, who works in data, told me to start with Python because it's 'simple and powerful.' Right after, my cousin Sarah, a web developer, jumped in and said that's bad advice, and I should learn JavaScript first to 'see results in a browser right away.' They argued for like 20 minutes while I just stood there holding my plate. Now I'm totally stuck on which one to pick for my first language. Has anyone else been given completely opposite advice from people they trust?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_robin13d ago

What's wrong with seeing results right away? JavaScript lets you build things you can actually click on and use in your browser, which is way more fun than staring at a text terminal. That early fun is what keeps most people learning.

mitchell.val1d ago

I read a blog post last year that called this the "clicky feedback loop." The writer argued that immediate visual results, like @the_robin said, build a different kind of confidence. Seeing a button you coded actually change color or move a div across the screen makes the abstract idea of a function feel real. That first "wow, I made that happen" moment is a huge deal. It turns a logic puzzle into a toy you built yourself.

fox.derek13d ago

Ever feel like you're picking a side in a family feud just trying to learn a for loop? I started with Python because the book had a friendly looking snake on the cover, and my first program just printed "Hello World" in a sad little black box. My buddy who pushed me to do JavaScript made a website that just changed the background to neon pink when you clicked a button. We both felt like geniuses. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either if it gets you making stuff.