Programming is one thing every students should know in today’s world. You can write programs for many reasons, from making your living to solving a logical problem or a difficult data analysis problem to having fun in helping someone else solve a particular problem. There are many languages you can learn but it depends on your interest in what field you need to apply it. Find your niche, if you need to be a Web Developer then go with HTML, CSS, JavaScript. If you need to be App Developer then go with Java and Kotlin for Android or Swift for iOS. To get started with Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning go with Python.
Use of Programming
Programming is fun and quite a interesting field. It is a very creative and interactive activity. You can write programs for many reasons, making your living to solving a difficult data analysis problem to having fun to helping someone else solve a problem and sometimes play with codes. So, what do you need to know before getting into programming? According to me nothing, trust me you need no newfound skills to master it. You just need some practice and creativity to solve real life problems. We are surrounded in our daily lives with computers ranging from notebook, ultrabook to smartphones. The hardware in our current-day computers is essentially built to continuously ask you to provide instructions.
So the next thing, where to get started, What language should I start with, where can I learn programming? I hope you find your answer here.
Python
Python without any doubt is powerful and most famous Programming Language. Let’s talk about Google, Spotify, YouTube, Netflix and many more, ever wonder how it works?
All the top companies and websites which started small, now runs the whole world, it’s all thanks to programming languages. Python is the most demanded and popular among them and preferred by many beginners. Some people might tell that you need to know C first to start with other programming language. You can begin with C but it’s not compulsory that you have to start with C then proceed to Python.
The reason why Python is preferred by most beginners is obvious because it is easy to learn, and simple syntax to write, but once you proceed its complexity will increase. Python is everywhere, thanks to the mastermind Guido van Rossum’s efforts.
Why Python?
You need a tool, if you are developing something, the same goes in technology world you need knowledge of high demanded programming language to build something. Most of the top companies uses Python, due to its design and making it one of the fastest languages in terms of speed of development. Like most other languages Python also supports Object oriented programming to deal with real life problems. Its large and robust supporting standard library makes Python even more loved. The standard library allows you to choose from a wide range of modules according to your precise needs. Python as wide range of packages which you can import and make exciting projects which includes Face Recognition , Image enhancing , Speech Recognition , and also you can create your own Virtual assistant and many more, Isn’t that amazing?
Python is an open source programming language which is almost supported by all operating system. In Linux you don’t have to trouble yourself downloading it, because Python comes default on installation of any Linux distributions.
Python as various frameworks like Django, Tensorflow, Flask, CherryPy and many more. Python is the go-to programming language for Data Science, which uses scientific libraries such as Numpy, Scipy, Matplotlib and Scikit learn. Python also supports Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning concepts.
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Java
Java is very popular and hardcore platform independent. However if we talk about history of Java, its idea was developed by Sun Microsystems in California, which was initially coined as OAK. Java is very powerful programming language which is designed to solve object oriented programs.
Java is a robust and case sensitive which is used to create applications that may run on a single computer or be distributed among servers and clients over a network. Java Applet lets you to interact with Web pages, but the demand of Java Applet as been decreased rapidly.
Why Java?
One of the biggest reasons why Java is so popular is the platform independence. Java is the number 1 choice for developers. Nowadays you might see different web apps, Moblie app application, desktop server side application most of them is been developed with help of Java. Many useful software and development tools are written and developed in Java, e.g. Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA and NetBeans IDE. Over 3 billion mobile phones and applications run Java.
Nowadays many companies provide to develop Android app without coding but to make a original code of own Android app, most of the applications are written in Java using Google’s Android API. It provides separate Java SDK which helps to create your app, the IDE used is Android Studio one of the most powerful IDE. You can develop app with help of Kotlin as well which is developed by Google Team.
Many universities, government, health care, have their own web applications built in Java.
Netflix powers through 2 billion content requests per day with Java-driven architecture. For online travel leader priceline.com, Java provides the maximum connectivity, flexibility, performance, and portability. (Source Oracle)
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JavaScript
JavaScript is the future without any doubt. JavaScript is a programming language used to browse Web to create a dynamic and interactive experience for the user. JavaScript provides flexibility to the program which improves its performance. Most of the websites which you see nowadays is developed with help of JavaScript. Amazon, Flipkart such vast e-commerce companies are build using JavaScript. In late 1990’s JavaScript was used only to work in limited web browser such as Internet Explorer.
JavaScript is what is known as a client-side script. Most Web applications, such as search engines work based on interaction between the user. A client side script here means the user can perform the task from its own device. JavaScript provides vast number of tools which includes play audio or video, Animating Web pages, Browsing Internet. In today’s world imaging a day without internet is horrible, the contents which are provided on Internet through Web pages uses JavaScript. If you want to become a Full Stack Web Developer, then JavaScript is compulsory, once you know JavaScript, you need to learn JavaScript Frameworks such Angular, jQuery, React, Node. To get started with JavaScript you must have basic knowledge and understanding of HTML and CSS.
Why JavaScript?
Web Development is the most demanded job in IT sector. Becoming a Full Stack Web Development without JavaScript knowledge is impossible. JavaScript libraries provides support to both Front end and back end development. Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Flipkart uses JavaScript. You might have noticed if you visit some website, say regarding Technology then you get recommendations from Google related to tech topics, which shows that JavaScript is also essential tool for Machine learning. Nowadays every website wants to attract audience with fancy animations. JavaScript provides 2D and 3D animation tools to make web pages attractive to users using Vue.js.
JavaScript is used to build good responsive Web designing. JavaScript supports both functional programming and object oriented programming. ECMAScript engine is the standardized version of JavaScript as well as an open standard language which executes the source code. JS is easy to learn and fast to get into active development. Its syntax is easy to remember and flexible for beginners. With help of JavaScript you can create cool website with advanced 3D animation and also build variety of interesting responsive projects. With help of JavaScript libraries you can also develop web apps.
More about JavaScript.
C++
C++ is general purpose programming language. C++ was built as an extension to C language. C++ also supports Object oriented programming features such as classes, abstraction, Inheritance and Polymorphism. C++ is beginning stage is simple to write and easy but its complex once you get deeper. C++ is a middle level programming language in which you need to handle complex codes and memory management. C++ provides flexibility and is a multi paradigm programming language, which means it also supports procedural oriented programming. C++ is a fast process compared to other Programming languages. C++ is dynamically programmed language because the code is type checked before it is executed.
C++ is vastly used in the software industry, its used in application software, high performance and entertainment software such as video games. C++ needs lot of code to create a successful app, which becomes hard to maintain. C++ strength is it’s scalability to perform and execute the program. C++ is fasted than any programming languages. You need to invest lots of time to gain experience in C++.
Why C++?
C++ is highly developed programming language in terms of operators, conditions and simplicity. As mentioned earlier, C++ as large codes, many developer uses C++ to add design to the software. C++ is used for Game Development. C++ provides many graphics libraries to communicate through networks. C++ is highly preferred to program and implement Hardware. Arduino, Sensor and many electronic hardware devices are build with help C++. C++ main advantage is it’s fast compare to other Programming languages, thus its used in telephone switchs, hub and routers .
Embedded devices like Microcontrollers, smart watches, high tech machines are designed using C++. Databases such as Postgres and MySQL, which is used in Data Science, such database are written in C++ and C. C++ not only is used for Object oriented but also used in Functional Programming, Template Metaprogramming and also Procedural Programming. It provides advance libraries for Networking and creating Game console. Technically speaking if you are an engineering student there is no escape from C++, its a must study Programming language. C++ is still demand even after the popularity gain in Python, JavaScript and Java. You might have seen many machine being developed so C++ is required to keep them in control and in good managing shape. Video editing software like Abobe, Filmora which gives you multiple features to design and edit your videos/photos such software are developed using C/C++.
Swift
Swift is an highly fast programming language. Swift is a powerful and primary preferred programming language for macOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS and many more. Swift provides modern feature to developers that produces lightening fast softwares. Since Apple is the king of Smartphone world almost all the app are created with help of Swift. Swift is easier to learn with simple syntax, that makes you understand API’s in simple way.
The huge memory leakage that a programmer can have in Objective-C/C++ are impossible in Swift, as it unifies with efficient memory management. Memory is managed automatically using tight, deterministic reference counting, keeping memory usage to a minimum without the overhead of Garbage collection. Swift provides dynamic libraries to create a software, which encourages interactive coding. Swift creator says” Responsive app developers can access free courses to learn to build their first apps in Xcode, Apple Stores around the world host Today at Apple Coding & Apps sessions where you can get hands-on experience with Swift.”
Why Swift?
Swift as wide range of design libraries. It is designed in such a way that, you can start learning Swift programming language with no coding experience at all, whether you’re still in school or exploring new career paths. For educators, Apple created free curriculum to teach Swift both in and out of the classroom. First-time coders can download Swift Playgrounds, an app for iPad that makes getting started with Swift code interactive and fun. It also supports Object oriented programming features. Latest version of Swift, Swift 5 introduces binary compatibility for apps. That means you no longer need to include Swift libraries in apps that target current and future OS releases, because the Swift libraries will be included in every OS release going forward.
Swift is developed in open source, with source code, a bug tracker, online forums available for everyone. This broad community of developers, both inside Apple as well as hundreds of outside contributors, work together to make Swift even more interactive. Swift is supported by Apple and Linux operating system as well, With SourceKit-LSP, the community is also working to integrate Swift support into a wide-variety of developer tools to make it available for more platforms. Swift as many features such as, Generics, Protocols and classes. It also supports Functional Programming e.g., map and filter.
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R programming
Data is the most important privacy key term to the users. Analysis of data can be done with help of R programming language, which is quite a demanded programming language since Data science and Data Analysis is trending topic in technology world. R is used for statistical computations, data analysis and graphical representation of data. R was developed in later 1990s, back then R was not a very popular tool but now it has improved applications and well known as a tool for Data Science projects, most of them prefer R over Python when it comes to Data Science.
Like all other Programming languages, R is also supported by all operating system. R is available as Free Software under the terms of the Free Software Foundation’s GNU General Public License in source code form. R supports advance tools to developers to train and evaluate data structures and algorithm, also predicting real life events. Thus, R makes Machine learning lot more easy and approachable.
Why R?
Modelling the data is very important part in Data Analysis. R provides variety of statistical operations that includes linear and non linear modelling, clustering, regression, time series analysis and graphical means to play with data. R provides facilities for data manipulation, calculations, graphical display, mathematical symbols and formulae where needed. Professional Developers can manipulate R programming language by writing an C or C++ code. R also supports advance statistics concept and Calculus, if you are good in Maths, R is quite easy to implement, but it might be real nightmare if you hate Maths.
If you gain little experience during your academic days, you might do wonders when you move to industry, you need lots of practice and logical thinking to achieve such experience. Visualization of data is very important, this allows analyzing data in unorganized or tabulated data. R supports many tools that can help in data visualization, analysis, and representation. R is must required to persue Machine Learning, Deep Learning or Data Science, as all this major technologies deals with Data manipulation and visualization.
Conclusion
In today’s world you can learn anything for free, you just have to research for it. There are many websites where you can learn coding for free. If you prefer to get tutorial then, you will find tons of videos in YouTube. You can also enroll in any programming language and at certified at Coursera, Udacity, Edx, Udemy, Khan Academy etc. Just a piece of advice, once you get your hands dirty with coding, just keep going and be consistent. You will eventually get in flow someday, so don’t worry when you encounter errors.
You might find help regarding any error on Stackoverflow, GitHub, Geeks for geeks, and many more. Try looking at different codes and come up with your own logic. To practice coding and getting started with challenge refer Hacker rank, Code wars, Code chefs, to gain more experience. You need to start working on some projects once you gain some experience, implementing projects might give professional feeling.
Have fun in this long coding journey and Happy learning!