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@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
--- ---
title: First language for programming title: First programming language
description: | description: |
Thinking about the issues that can arise from making a wrong choice for a Thinking about the issues that can arise from making a wrong choice for a
first programming language. first programming language.
date: 2023-12-29 date: 2024-02-04
authors: authors:
- key: mf - key: mf
title: a.k.a. passionate Python hater title: a.k.a. passionate Python hater
@ -20,11 +20,16 @@ time of writing this post I have been teaching _Foundations of Programming_ for
Let's talk about the first language beginners come into contact with hands Let's talk about the first language beginners come into contact with hands
on[^1]. on[^1].
<!--truncate-->
:::caution Spoiler alert :::caution Spoiler alert
At one point or another, this post will turn into full-blown Python rant as it At one point or another, this post will turn into full-blown Python rant as it
is the most common choice for the first language. is the most common choice for the first language.
I'm also purposefully leaving out educational “languages” like [Scratch],
[Baltík] or [Imagine].
::: :::
## My journey ## My journey
@ -43,14 +48,14 @@ a unique experience.
### Self-study ### Self-study
My first time touching a proper programming language was around ‘11 and it was My first time touching a proper programming language was around ‘11 and it was
a VB.NET[^2]. If you have a look at this language, it is a rather verbose a VB.NET[^1]. If you have a look at this language, it is a rather verbose
language. However if you understand English, it is very easy to read because of language. However if you understand English, it is very easy to read because of
the said verbosity. When you dig deeper, you may find some very weird stuff the said verbosity. When you dig deeper, you may find some very weird stuff
going on, like indexing of arrays, or even allocating arrays that preallocates going on, like indexing of arrays, or even allocating arrays that preallocates
one more or one less[^3] element than the specified size. Syntax is also quite one more or one less[^2] element than the specified size. Syntax is also quite
unusual with apostrophes marking the comments. unusual with apostrophes marking the comments.
Overall it's not that bad and the book I've had[^4] was rather nice. In Overall it's not that bad and the book I've had[^3] was rather nice. In
retrospective I would say that VB.NET is very nice first language, because it's retrospective I would say that VB.NET is very nice first language, because it's
easy to write and read and yet is quite powerful. easy to write and read and yet is quite powerful.
@ -61,16 +66,16 @@ the root my “hate” towards Java.
In retrospective I consider Java very primitive language. You might disagree In retrospective I consider Java very primitive language. You might disagree
with me on this one, but if you think about it, Java is very simple language in with me on this one, but if you think about it, Java is very simple language in
the sense of syntax and what it can do[^5]. And yes, there are lots of people the sense of syntax and what it can do[^4]. And yes, there are lots of people
that consider C# the _Microsoft's Java_[^6], but you cannot hide the fact that that consider C# the _Microsoft's Java_[^5], but you cannot hide the fact that
in the recent releases there are features that are almost 1:1 taken from the C# in the recent releases there are features that are almost 1:1 taken from the C#
and implemented in the Java. Most of them are _quality of life_ things that make and implemented in the Java. Most of them are _quality of life_ things that make
the life of the developers less painful. All in all, there are still many things the life of the developers less painful. All in all, there are still many things
that you need to workaround in Java by abusing interfaces and design patterns that you need to workaround in Java by abusing interfaces and design patterns
and some of those things can be done in a very simple way in other languages[^7] and some of those things can be done in a very simple way in other languages[^6]
Around the time of attending the high school C appeared in my life… I think I've Around the time of attending the high school C appeared in my life… I think I've
seen C for the first time in the lectures from FIT CTU[^8] seen C for the first time in the lectures from FIT CTU[^7]
After C we have a mayhem of anything and everything. After C we have a mayhem of anything and everything.
Looking back I have to admit that I've managed to move from Java towards C# as Looking back I have to admit that I've managed to move from Java towards C# as
@ -84,19 +89,18 @@ Pascal
Python Python
[^1]: [scratch]: https://scratch.mit.edu/
I'm purposefully leaving out educational “languages” like Scratch, [baltík]: https://www.sgpsys.com/infovek/index.htm
[Baltík](https://www.sgpsys.com/infovek/index.htm) or [imagine]: https://imagine.input.sk/index.html
[Imagine](https://imagine.input.sk/index.html).
[^2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Basic_(.NET) [^1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Basic_(.NET)
[^3]: I don't even remember which one :smile: [^2]: I don't even remember which one :smile:
[^4]: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/microsoft-visual-basic/9780735645332/ [^3]: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/microsoft-visual-basic/9780735645332/
[^5]: [^4]:
We also need to keep in mind the aphorism: “All that glitters is not gold” We also need to keep in mind the aphorism: “All that glitters is not gold”
and the fact that syntax sugar can be abused and get very hard to process and the fact that syntax sugar can be abused and get very hard to process
for people; yes… I'm looking at you Python… for people; yes… I'm looking at you Python…
[^6]: vomits violently because of the Microsoft; C# is nice though [^5]: vomits violently because of the Microsoft; C# is nice though
[^7]: decorators are something for a long-haul discussion by itself… [^6]: decorators are something for a long-haul discussion by itself…
[^8]: _TODO_: add lectures [^7]: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0VUmynWzoOlYMAqekeklZzCPUDKh3Nsj