Picked Python over JavaScript when I started coding 5 years ago. Not sure that was the right call.

Back in 2019 I was trying to learn programming on my own and had to choose between Python and JavaScript for my first language. I went with Python because everyone said it was easier for beginners. And yeah, the syntax was simple and I got the hang of loops and functions pretty quick. But now I'm job hunting and almost every entry level web dev spot wants JavaScript knowledge. I spent 3 months building projects in Python that I could have used to learn JS fundamentals instead. My buddy who started with JavaScript the same week is already working at a small agency. So I'm curious for people who started coding recently, what language did you pick and are you happy with it?

3 comments

3 Comments

mark_price18d ago

Man that's rough. I feel you though. I started with C++ back in college and regretted it when I saw everyone else getting jobs with Python or JS. Kinda feels like you wasted time but honestly the logic and problem solving skills transfer over. You can pick up JS pretty quick now that you know Python.

seth_harris3618d ago

Yeah I saw a study recently that said Python and JS make up like 60% of job postings for devs now. Crazy isn't it? But I think the guy who started with C++ has a point. A buddy of mine learned Java first and he says jumping to Python was way easier than learning Java from scratch. The hard stuff like memory management and recursion sticks with you. So yeah it might take a few extra months to get job ready but youll be a stronger dev in the long run. Just gotta push through the boring part of learning a new syntax.

davis.ruby18d ago

Five years and you're just now realizing web dev runs on JS and not Python? That's like showing up to a pool party with a snow shovel.