This article is intended to provide guidance and tips for anyone interested in coding who isn’t a professional developer. The first step in the coding journey is picking a language, and this article will take you through the options.
These days, more and more jobs can benefit from being able to write simple scripts and programs, especially in cybersecurity. For example, pulling data from an API, scraping web pages, or processing large data files to extract information – the list of uses is virtually endless!
Tempting as it is to dive right in, there are several things worth thinking about before you begin. This article will discuss one of the most important choices – selecting a language.
What to consider when choosing a language
A basic understanding of programming languages can make your life easier, increasing your adaptability and finesse in different environments. But with tons of languages like Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, Rust, and more, which one should you choose?
Here are the crucial factors to consider:
What's available
Can you install whatever language you like to run your code, or are there limitations? If you have an enterprise-managed computer, you might not be able to install new software or languages, and you may need to use the default options. For Windows, this is PowerShell. Bash Script is the equivalent for Mac and Linux devices, and Python is often available too.
Your personal experience and interest
This one might sound obvious, but it does matter. We learn better and faster when we're invested in the subject. Look at your previous experiences. Have you worked with any programming languages before? Did you enjoy them? For example, if you had a good experience working with Python, let that guide your decision! That said, don't shy away from learning something new if there's a good reason or you’re curious to do so.
What's trending in your organization
Does your organization or team predominantly use a specific language? Not only would learning that one help you communicate better with your colleagues, but it could also give you an edge while working with systems developed in that language. Plus, there’ll be plenty of people to talk to if you get stuck!
The language's capabilities and nature
Like people, different languages have different strengths. Some are fantastic for web development (like JavaScript), while others are better suited for system-level programming (like C).
Python is often an excellent choice. It's considered easy to learn, incredibly flexible, and powerful due to the huge catalog of packages available. While it isn't as fast as many other languages, for most purposes, it's usually more than fast enough.
Java is a very widely used object-oriented programming language and can be extremely fast. The learning curve is steeper than Python, but there are loads of learning resources available.
JavaScript (not to be confused with Java!) isn’t as useful for quick standalone scripts or applications, but it's the dominant language for websites and browsers, so understanding it is practically a superpower for testing and manipulating websites and applications.
C and C++ allow low-level access to memory and offer a lot of flexibility – incredibly helpful when evaluating systems with these languages at their core.
Available tools and training
Great tools can make tough jobs easier. Certain programming languages have robust toolsets that can help automate your tasks. For instance, Python has a wide array of libraries and frameworks that make handling big projects a cinch while saving you time and effort – why reinvent the wheel when you can just import it?
Take a look at what training is available for the language you’re interested in. Older and more popular languages are likely to have more to choose from, but there’s loads out there and a lot of it is free! Also, consider what tools you might already have access to within your organization.
Community and support
If a programming language has a large active community, it means help is readily available when you get stuck. Languages like Python, JavaScript, and Java have strong communities and plenty of online resources available.
Scope for growth
If you're planning to learn a language, why not pick one that's in demand? Check job boards, look at industry trends, and see if learning a particular language can give your professional growth a boost!
Summary
Remember, no language is “the best". The best is the one that suits your needs and circumstances. You might even find mastering multiple programming languages useful over time. Just like speaking multiple languages, the more you know, the better you can communicate in different environments!
Once you understand some of the basic programming concepts, like variables and loops, it’s easier to learn a second or third language.
Learning a programming language may initially seem like climbing a steep mountain. But once you get the hang of it, you'll realize that the view from the top was well worth the hike!
Want to take the next step?
Here are some lab collections that may help you learn a bit more about PowerShell and Python:
Share your thoughts
If you’re new to coding, tell us what language you’re trying out! Why did you pick it, and would you make the same choice again? Are there any specific challenges you found or any relevant experiences you’d like to share?
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