Choosing the Ideal Programming Language for Beginners

When it comes to choosing the first programming language for beginners, opinions vary widely. Experts often debate which language is the best fit, but the core of the matter is that language choice does matter. However, many people, even those who consider themselves 'experts,' often believe that it does not. This article explores why the right choice of language is crucial and recommends a language that meets the ideal criteria for beginners.

The key point is that programming should be enjoyable. Learning to program is inherently challenging, but it should be a mentally stimulating and fun process, akin to video-game design. Some language choices can make programming seem unenjoyable and even impossibly difficult to learn. The ideal first language should be complex enough to teach real-world programming but simple enough not to overwhelm beginners. It should be pleasant to write, easy to read, efficient, useful, and backed by a strong community or organization. Additionally, it should have a vast array of libraries, excellent documentation, and powerful compiler messages.

Criteria for the Ideal First Programming Language

Teaches Real-World Programming: A programming language that can quickly teach real-world concepts without overwhelming beginners. Simple and Pleasant to Write: It should be easy to write, read, and maintain. Useful Documentation: Comprehensive documentation and excellent compiler messages to aid in learning. Libraries: A rich set of libraries to avoid reinventing the wheel. Strong Community Support: Backed by a solid organization or community to ensure longevity.

Based on these criteria, several languages stand out, including Dart, Go, Ruby, Rust, and Cuis. However, the current standouts are Dart, Go, and Ruby. Python’s documentation, while good, falls short in some areas. Rust and Dart are exceptional in terms of compiler messages and easy-to-understand documentation.

Cuis: The Best Choice for Beginners

In my opinion, Cuis Smalltalk is the best choice for beginners. Smalltalk is a high-level, pure object-oriented language that allows beginners to deeply learn algorithmic thinking and advanced programming concepts. It is powerful and immediate in its usefulness, allowing beginners to write games and small applications right away.

Cuis has a programming 101 book that comprehensively teaches both programming and Cuis-Smalltalk. This book introduces the language in a fun and engaging way, making the learning process much more enjoyable. After mastering Cuis-Smalltalk, learners can then explore functional programming (FP) by starting with either Haskell or OCaml.

Haskell, in particular, is an excellent language for beginners to functional programming. "Haskell School of Expression" by Paul Hudak is one of the best introductions to FP, and it assumes a background in programming 101, which can be acquired from the Cuis-Smalltalk book.

Evolution Through Learning

The journey through programming is not a linear one. After mastering these languages, learners can continue expanding their knowledge by exploring various books and resources. Many excellent old books on Smalltalk-80 are available and run on Cuis, making them 99 compatible. Smalltalk-80 can teach some of the greatest OOP concepts, and there are numerous books on OOP that use Smalltalk-80 as the language of instruction.

For FP, learners should start with "Real World Haskell" to further their knowledge. Once proficient in both OOP and FP, they will have the skills necessary to navigate the programming world.

Selecting the right language for beginners can significantly impact their learning journey. By choosing a language that meets these criteria, learners can enjoy and benefit from their programming experience, ultimately leading to a stronger foundation in the field.