macOS Which programming language for a complete beginner?

[The Cockney Rebel]

I want to teach myself to code.

However, I'm not finding Swift very "friendly," so I've restarted with Python.

If you were starting to learn to code, which language would you go with, and why?

Thanks in advance for any advice/help.

 

[Red Menace]

I went with Ruby, but I think you have the right idea. I also don’t consider Swift very friendly, and if you were wanting to use Xcode, that just piles on more stuff. Scripting languages such as Ruby and Python abstract away a lot of the more complex/confusing stuff, and you don’t need that much of a developing environment to use them.

Once you get the hang of it, you can try out different languages and IDEs at your convenience.

 

[dukebound85]

python for sure these days. So universal

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Thank you both for your responses.

I’m currently working through a book called Head First into programming, which actually works with Python. I’ve only just started it, but Python already seems higher level than Swift.

I just need a good foundation, then I can maybe move onto other languages.

Thanks again .

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Man, this is hard.

Every time I feel like I'm getting somewhere, something else comes along to completely confuse me again.

I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but this is on another level.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I bought my M1 MBP (512 16) because I wanted to learn to code.

However, I just don't seem to be able to grasp it. I started off with Swift, then moved on to Python, as I thought it would be an easier first language for a newcomer. However, as soon as I feel like I'm getting somewhere, I get stuck.

I've already boxed up my iMac, and put it into storage, and I really don't want to return this MBP as it is perfect in every way: No issues whatsoever.

If there are any coders in this forum, could you please offer some advice? I know there is a dedicated developer section in the forums, but I don't seem to be getting anywhere.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[alien3dx]

I bought my M1 MBP (512 16) because I wanted to learn to code.

However, I just don't seem to be able to grasp it. I started off with Swift, then moved on to Python, as I thought it would be an easier first language for a newcomer. However, as soon as I feel like I'm getting somewhere, I get stuck.

I've already boxed up my iMac, and put it into storage, and I really don't want to return this MBP as it is perfect in every way: No issues whatsoever.

If there are any coders in this forum, could you please offer some advice? I know there is a dedicated developer section in the forums, but I don't seem to be getting anywhere.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

install swift playground have fun and play with your kid .

** if you have use microsoft excel and its function like r2 = r1 * 5 . Its the same thing .
** maybe bought some lego mindstorm which can programmable ?
** purchase arduino and play on it
** real programmming job is bored but if you can make something moved or work like lego ,arduino more fun.

 

[matram]

Part time coder here, today mostly Swift and C#.

You do not say what your problem(s) are?

Personally when learning a new language it helps me to work with a small project to give me a practical problem to focus on instead of going through the manual chapter by chapter.

Modern languages contain a lot of complex concepts. Start with the simple parts.

 

[1240766]

Perseverance my friend. Take classes on Pluralsight, lots of beginner classes there

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

install swift playground have fun and play with your kid .

** if you have use microsoft excel and its function like r2 = r1 * 5 . Its the same thing .
** maybe bought some lego mindstorm which can programmable ?
** purchase arduino and play on it
** real programmming job is bored but if you can make something moved or work like lego ,arduino more fun.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, buddy.

Your advice has been taken onboard.

Cheers .

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Start by figuring out what you want to code, and then go straight for that. It is motivating to see your dream come together.

Going from Swift to Python tells me you don't really have a goal in sight?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Part time coder here, today mostly Swift and C#.

You do not say what your problem(s) are?

Personally when learning a new language it helps me to work with a small project to give me a practical problem to focus on instead of going through the manual chapter by chapter.

Modern languages contain a lot of complex concepts. Start with the simple parts.

Thank you.

I just feel like I have a mental block going on.

It's like the information is just not "going in."

I'm using codecademy, as well as some books. When I get stuck, I try a different approach. It all just seems like "gobbledegook"!

I used basic and COBOL when I was at college, many years ago. I seemed to get on ok back then.

Maybe im just too old for this, now? (47 ).

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Start by figuring out what you want to code, and then go straight for that. It is motivating to see your dream come together.

Going from Swift to Python tells me you don't really have a goal in sight?

I started with Swift, because I wanted to code iOS apps.

The reason I moved onto Python is because I thought I'd start with something a bit more high level (language) then move on from there. I found Swift to be very convoluted.

I'm not making excuses; I just find the whole thing so difficult.

 

[alien3dx]

Thank you.

I just feel like I have a mental block going on.

It's like the information is just not "going in."

I'm using codecademy, as well as some books. When I get stuck, I try a different approach. It all just seems like "gobbledegook"!

I used basic and COBOL when I was at college, many years ago. I seemed to get on ok back then.

Maybe im just too old for this, now? (47 ).

39 here.

The most easiest language is php (default should be install in macos) and also web server( not sure for m1).

New language programming is about synthetic /grammar not output . Once you understand procedural style then moved to object oriented world.

** i also before teach noobs before what is all this thing . Most school /lecturer dont have idea to teach and talk same thing which kinda bored for newbies want to have fun.

 

[CheesePuff]

First off, don't package up and let sit a $1500 machine!

Programming is not easy, and the most difficult part is understanding and appreciating the fundamentals of computer programming (such as variables, data types, design patterns, etc) that all languages have. Don't believe any course that says learn programming in 30 days. I don't mean to say this as a way to put you off to it, but once you accept that diving into programming with no related experience is a difficult task and will take time, you won't beat yourself up so much about not having it click right away.

15+ years ago I set out to teach myself C on the Mac with zero background or experience in a related field.. didn't understand it at all and set aside the book (Learn C on the Macintosh) I bought. A few months later I decided to pick it up and try again, and this time it all just seemed to click and went from there. I'm 100% self-taught and have had a career in software development (now a Technical Lead for a software development shop, spent a few years developing, selling and supporting my own macOS software), and trust me if I can do it anyone can.

edit: also while some will not agree with this, you may want to look into Xojo (https://www.xojo.com), its a full IDE with its own language and builds desktop macOS, Windows and Linux applications as well as iOS and Web 2.0, and can be a good way to learn and grasp the basics and get up and running quickly. It is not free but without a license you can still code and run locally your project, so no need to buy one until you have something ready you want to distribute. They have a lot of free video and tutorials to get up and running for complete beginners.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

First off, don't package up and let sit a $1500 machine!

Programming is not easy, and the most difficult part is understanding and appreciating the fundamentals of computer programming (such as variables, data types, design patterns, etc) that all languages have. Don't believe any course that says learn programming in 30 days. I don't mean to say this as a way to put you off to it, but once you accept that diving into programming with no related experience is a difficult task and will take time, you won't beat yourself up so much about not having it click right away.

15+ years ago I set out to teach myself C on the Mac with zero background or experience in a related field.. didn't understand it at all and set aside the book (Learn C on the Macintosh) I bought. A few months later I decided to pick it up and try again, and this time it all just seemed to click and went from there. I'm 100% self-taught and have had a career in software development (now a Technical Lead for a software development shop, spent a few years developing, selling and supporting my own macOS software), and trust me if I can do it anyone can.

Thank you for your vote of confidence, bud.

I'm proud of you for getting to where you are.

Maybe I should just take a little time out, then resume? I have a bit of a mental block going on, so there's no point in overloading my brain, as nothing is being absorbed.

 

[Spindel]

Or you are like me.
Back in the day I started programing Basic on a C128(and C64). A bit later I learned a bit of C++ and after that a bit of Java and also assembly for a Siemens 16-bit microcontroller (don’t remember the name of it). My take away from all of this is that I hate programing.

I love the logic and problem solving aspect of programing, I hate having to learn the syntax of every programing language I’ve tried.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Or you are like me.
Back in the day I started programing Basic on a C128(and C64). A bit later I learned a bit of C++ and after that a bit of Java and also assembly for a Siemens 16-bit microcontroller (don’t remember the name of it). My take away from all of this is that I hate programing.

I love the logic and problem solving aspect of programing, I hate having to learn the syntax of every programing language I’ve tried.

I want to love it, though.

At the minute, it's just so frustrating.

As soon as I learn one thing, I forget another .

I swear I only have 4gb of RAM in my brain!

 

[MBHockey]

how long have you been at it?

 

[CheesePuff]

Thank you for your vote of confidence, bud.

I'm proud of you for getting to where you are.

Maybe I should just take a little time out, then resume? I have a bit of a mental block going on, so there's no point in overloading my brain, as nothing is being absorbed.

Perhaps take a step back and a short break, and then try again from the beginning. Do not switch around between languages until you fully grasp all of the fundamentals. I think learning Python is a good idea, and there are a lot of great courses out there for it. Also check my edit on my first post about Xojo.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

how long have you been at it?

Not very long.

Maybe a week or so?

I know that sounds silly, but I thought I'd retain more than I am.

I get stuck on things, when I feel like my logic is spot on.

That's why I'm getting so frustrated with it all.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Perhaps take a step back and a short break, and then try again from the beginning. Do not switch around between languages until you fully grasp all of the fundamentals. I think learning Python is a good idea, and there are a lot of great courses out there for it. Also check my edit on my first post about Xojo.

Thanks again for your vote of support.

It, and your advice, is much appreciated.

 

[MBHockey]

Not very long.

Maybe a week or so?

I know that sounds silly, but I thought I'd retain more than I am.

I get stuck on things, when I feel like my logic is spot on.

That's why I'm getting so frustrated with it all.

I think you shouldn't be so quick to give up on it. Learning to code is not easy. You can't expect to feel comfortable after a few days.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I think you shouldn't be so quick to give up on it. Learning to code is not easy. You can't expect to feel comfortable after a few days.

I concur.

I’m just starting to think I’m not made for it?

 

[MBHockey]

You need to ask yourself if you actually want to learn to code or do you really just want to discuss learning to code on a forum. It seems like you're here for the latter.