I guess whatever language helps me earn a living, and also something that casts a wide net to cover as many areas of software engineering as possible. At the moment, that would be JavaScript.
Almost every industry requires a website / web app, and at present JavaScript dominates this area, at-least when it comes to building user interfaces. But that's note all - with JavaScript, I can also build mobile and desktop applications, do server-side programming and build backends, and even do machine learning.
(I'm 60 yo, I've learned and used many languages in my life, QuickBasic, xBase (Clipper & QuickSilver), VisualBasic, Delphi (Object Pascal), Java, Ruby but Java still remains my favorite !)
Lots of interesting things happening as of the last couple years. Hotwire for Rails, Glimmer taking off for desktop development, more concurrency libraries, etc. I’m starting to look into Ruby’s ML options too, would love to see more resources devoted to those.
I'd +1 for Ruby for general enjoyment, confidence that it will keep improving, etc. It would definitely limit a few things I'd ideally want to do, but I'd probably be happy.
Although I am still learning it, I think I will pick Java, because I know it can be used to build apps for 3 areas :
Desktop non-web (GUI), like VB6, Delphi, VB.net, C# do on windows
Web back-end, esp with J2EE or Spring framework
Android, although Kotlin is a strong alternative for this area.
I feel, I cannot call myself a real programmer before I have used Java in a real project.
Some people said similar things on C++.
However, still consider C# as the strong alternative, although don't have time to learn it currently.
Recovering interrupter with occasional relapses, lover of spreadsheets, blogger, programmer, adept debugger, conjurer of analogies, and probably other things.
Swiss-Army-Knife Developer, interested in all things technical: Programming, hacking, 3D-printing, cars, gaming and also a photography and Photoshop nut.
:):)
Pascal was once the best one for introducing programming language. It can still be the better one for that purpose instead of the likes of Python.
Top comments (40)
I guess whatever language helps me earn a living, and also something that casts a wide net to cover as many areas of software engineering as possible. At the moment, that would be JavaScript.
Almost every industry requires a website / web app, and at present JavaScript dominates this area, at-least when it comes to building user interfaces. But that's note all - with JavaScript, I can also build mobile and desktop applications, do server-side programming and build backends, and even do machine learning.
I think C is the safe choice if I want to make sure I can still do lots of stuff.
I'd prefer only coding in Python, but I feel like I'd be more limited in the long run.
I think in it is about optionality vs enjoyment.
Absolutely Java
(I'm 60 yo, I've learned and used many languages in my life, QuickBasic, xBase (Clipper & QuickSilver), VisualBasic, Delphi (Object Pascal), Java, Ruby but Java still remains my favorite !)
Clipper :)
I used its "brother" : FoxPro 2.6 for DOS from which I earned money for the 1st time by using a programming language.
Good choice. But have you ever used javascript? 😏
Ruby
Lots of interesting things happening as of the last couple years. Hotwire for Rails, Glimmer taking off for desktop development, more concurrency libraries, etc. I’m starting to look into Ruby’s ML options too, would love to see more resources devoted to those.
I'd +1 for Ruby for general enjoyment, confidence that it will keep improving, etc. It would definitely limit a few things I'd ideally want to do, but I'd probably be happy.
Js... A swiss army knife 😁
Although I am still learning it, I think I will pick Java, because I know it can be used to build apps for 3 areas :
However, still consider C# as the strong alternative, although don't have time to learn it currently.
Definitly Rust.
Lisp…it's older than me and will outlive me.
Probably C# as it will cover most of the platforms.
JavaScript
Golang
Probably python or C++ for their proven legacy and versatility. I personally prefer C to C++ but C++ gives me more options.
C++
Yeah, really.
As it's the one that restricts me the least, and helps me restrict my APIs the most so that other Devs don't screw up too too much
Bring back Turbo Pascal bro!!!
:):)
Pascal was once the best one for introducing programming language. It can still be the better one for that purpose instead of the likes of Python.
It's a tough call between F# and Clojure.
Been learning clojure lately, completely new experience to me. It's been really refreshing and I love all of its concepts.