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Python or Java?

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Disregard
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
China10252 Posts
April 01 2009 05:29 GMT
#1
Which progamming language is easier for beginners? Ive been told that Python is the best for beginners but Java seems to be more popular and widely used, even my high school offers Java classes. I will be taking Computer Science as a major since really nothing else interests me, rather than taking a major that will be boring, stale and having my feel regretful (especially Business/Finance).

FYI: I have been tweaking and learning with Python recently.


*
"If I had to take a drug in order to be free, I'm screwed. Freedom exists in the mind, otherwise it doesn't exist."
Malongo
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Chile3472 Posts
April 01 2009 05:34 GMT
#2
I learned java, easy to me at least. Im not sure about python but java has a shitload of tutorials and interesting applications. Once you learn the basic alghoritms (conditionals, loops and variable types) you can switch to almost any language with little problems.
Help me! im still improving my English. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. M. G.
EsX_Raptor
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States2802 Posts
April 01 2009 05:36 GMT
#3
go for java man trust me xD

I've programmed in both and i find it to be the most comfortable out of the two.

(im a junior CS major if youre wondering)
messengerASL
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
United States109 Posts
April 01 2009 05:37 GMT
#4
Don't take computer science as a major just because nothing else interests you. You won't do as well in life later on if that's the case. You need to major in something that you love. It's like this. The major that interests you is out there, you just haven't run into it yet or you haven't researched enough.

On average, a college student changes majors 3-4 times during his academic stint.

There's scripters and there's compiled language programmers. If you choose one route, it tends to shape your preference later in life, so choose carefully. People in industry tend to "not" have high opinions of scripters. And scripters tend to think compiled language programmers complicate things.

All of these points are moot, if you're luke-warm (not excited) about computer science. Try business or some other majors. Try to find the major that will interest you.
caelym
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6421 Posts
April 01 2009 05:42 GMT
#5
java is way better for beginners. it's very organized and structured, which makes it easy to learn. once you learn the basics of programming from java, you can pick up other languages quite easily.
bnet: caelym#1470 | Twitter: @caelym
Jonoman92
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
United States9107 Posts
April 01 2009 05:43 GMT
#6
hey messengerASL I don't know if you have been asked, but what is your identity? I see on ICCUP you're at least a half-way decent SC player. I know your benefactor is secret, but who are you?

-I think that's good advice btw. I'd go with Java but I've never actually used Python sooo yea.
thunk
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States6233 Posts
April 01 2009 05:45 GMT
#7
Can't really go wrong with Python, everyone knows it, even beginners. It's a pretty balanced map, and is about as standard as one can get. It's the bread and butter map of this era.

Never heard of Java. Hasn't ever been used in any major league, has it? Probably suffers from some major imbalances and it falls of the normal gamer's knowledge.
Every time Jung Myung Hoon builds a vulture, two probes die. || My post count was a palindrome and I was never posting again.
thunk
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States6233 Posts
April 01 2009 05:45 GMT
#8
And I do know that this is really about programming languages.
Every time Jung Myung Hoon builds a vulture, two probes die. || My post count was a palindrome and I was never posting again.
EsX_Raptor
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States2802 Posts
April 01 2009 05:46 GMT
#9
on a side note id recommend you take c++

way better than those two
ZeroCartin
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Costa Rica2390 Posts
April 01 2009 05:47 GMT
#10
Byzantium ftw
"My sister is on vacation in Costa Rica right now. I hope she stays a while because she's a miserable cunt." -pubbanana
SpiritoftheTunA
Profile Blog Joined August 2006
United States20903 Posts
April 01 2009 06:04 GMT
#11
python is overplayed as fuck
posting on liquid sites in current year
imDerek
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
United States1944 Posts
April 01 2009 06:13 GMT
#12
Learn Java for half a year first, then do Python and/or C++
Least favorite progamers: Leta, Zero, Mind, Shine, free, really <-- newly added
Mastermind
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Canada7096 Posts
April 01 2009 06:16 GMT
#13
My university is going to be changing their first year Java course to Python because Python is easier for beginners. Having said that, I love programming in Java. It is a great language compared to something like C. Java is also fairly common in industry whereas Python isnt from what I understand.
IzzyCraft
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States4487 Posts
April 01 2009 06:20 GMT
#14
Java/C++ is a very common first languages to learn. python is fun to know but consider something like PHP FORTRAN etc
I have ass for brains so,
even when I shit I'm droping knowledge.
Divinek
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
Canada4045 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-01 06:38:03
April 01 2009 06:22 GMT
#15
java is wayyyy more useful, just learn java it's better. Java is harder but from my experience it's more of a leading language and applets are just awesome..

Also java gives you much clearer error messages, even if its lack of multiple inheritence is lame
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Oh goodness me, FOX tv where do you get your sight? Can't you keep track, the puck is black. That's why the ice is white.
JakNcoke
Profile Joined February 2009
United States2 Posts
April 01 2009 06:26 GMT
#16
quite honestly in beginning stages both are quite simple. Just learn the one which you find syntactically more appealing and go from there.
benjammin
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States2728 Posts
April 01 2009 06:30 GMT
#17
python by far
wash uffitizi, drive me to firenze
shmay
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
United States1091 Posts
April 01 2009 06:34 GMT
#18
http://www.reddit.com/comments/6pogg/reddit_which_programming_language_is_best_for
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=428095

python or ruby seems the best just to learn the basics. i personally recommend http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/ (ruby). python and ruby are both very good for web development, if you're into that, and a great for general scripting

once you have the basics down, id say learn java and build apps for Android (and possibly make some money doing that, eventually)
Llamaz
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Australia90 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-01 06:42:54
April 01 2009 06:40 GMT
#19
Wow...Python >>>>>>>>>>> Java for beginners.
Java > Python if you have more experiance...but C++ > java.

I have no idea how comfortable you are with programming, but if you've done a bit before, I reccommend you learn basic C++ first (a week at most, probably less) then learn from http://lazyfoo.net/SDL_tutorials/index.php (SDL = graphics library). It exemplifies why object oriented programming is soo much easier, and develops good programming habits.

C++/Java are more useful to learn than Python.

So to conclude, if you are already familiar with an outline, or structure of programming languages, then choose C++/Java (C++ > Java. If you can learn Java you can learn C++), but if you are just starting programming choose python (easier, cleaner).

With that said, I suggest you don't take advice from ANYONE in this forum, including me. Go to a programming forum. People giving advice to you here probably haven't even tried to learn a programming language.


Slithe
Profile Blog Joined February 2007
United States985 Posts
April 01 2009 06:53 GMT
#20
On April 01 2009 15:20 IzzyCraft wrote:
Java/C++ is a very common first languages to learn. python is fun to know but consider something like PHP FORTRAN etc


Umm... why FORTRAN?
caelym
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6421 Posts
April 01 2009 06:58 GMT
#21
On April 01 2009 15:40 Llamaz wrote:

With that said, I suggest you don't take advice from ANYONE in this forum, including me. Go to a programming forum. People giving advice to you here probably haven't even tried to learn a programming language.



i beg to differ
[image loading]
bnet: caelym#1470 | Twitter: @caelym
Osmoses
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Sweden5302 Posts
April 01 2009 06:58 GMT
#22
Java is easiest, but what you get in practicality you lose in performance.
Excuse me hun, but what is your name? Vivian? I woke up next to you naked and, uh, did we, um?
Malongo
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Chile3472 Posts
April 01 2009 07:04 GMT
#23
On April 01 2009 15:40 Llamaz wrote:
Wow...Python >>>>>>>>>>> Java for beginners.
Java > Python if you have more experiance...but C++ > java.
...

With that said, I suggest you don't take advice from ANYONE in this forum, including me. Go to a programming forum. People giving advice to you here probably haven't even tried to learn a programming language.


im sure TL is a good source of non professional programming advice, there are many guys here studing computers/something related and there are at least 5/10 pros at it.
Help me! im still improving my English. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. M. G.
zatic
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
Zurich15365 Posts
April 01 2009 07:33 GMT
#24
On April 01 2009 15:58 caelym wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 01 2009 15:40 Llamaz wrote:

With that said, I suggest you don't take advice from ANYONE in this forum, including me. Go to a programming forum. People giving advice to you here probably haven't even tried to learn a programming language.



i beg to differ

While it is true that there are a lot of programmers on this forum it is basically impossible for the OP to tell the good advice apart from the bad advice (of which there is already A LOT in this short thread, jesus if you people have no idea shut up, really).

I am just going to say that it doesn't matter what language you start with. You can can learn the art of programming in any language. Once you are secure with that you can *very* easily pick up another.

That said I would personally recommend Python just because it is extremely fun to program with. If you are the kind of learner who needs to try things out and get results quickly it will suit you.
ModeratorI know Teamliquid is known as a massive building
PriitM
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Algeria181 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-01 08:31:36
April 01 2009 08:27 GMT
#25
--- Nuked ---
Bockit
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Sydney2287 Posts
April 01 2009 08:39 GMT
#26
On April 01 2009 15:40 Llamaz wrote:

With that said, I suggest you don't take advice from ANYONE in this forum, including me. Go to a programming forum. People giving advice to you here probably haven't even tried to learn a programming language.



While I second the notion of visiting a programming forum for this kind of thing (They'll likely have some kind of sticky thread dealing with questions like "what should I learn for my first language?") there are actually quite a few programmers here on TL and it's perfectly fine to ask around here.

There have been some previous threads with similar questions:

Python Programming - If you go the python route.
I want to start programming - The op really doesn't have a clue about where to start and what is what, but there are a few pages of advice there.
Their are four errors in this sentance.
Insane
Profile Blog Joined November 2003
United States4991 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-01 08:40:55
April 01 2009 08:40 GMT
#27
On April 01 2009 15:20 IzzyCraft wrote:
Java/C++ is a very common first languages to learn. python is fun to know but consider something like PHP FORTRAN etc

Wtf? FORTRAN and PHP are both terrible ideas for starting languages lol. In fact, I can't see you being likely to need FORTRAN in the future at all unless you work in a specific few industries...
meathook
Profile Joined December 2007
1289 Posts
April 01 2009 08:51 GMT
#28
On April 01 2009 17:40 HnR)Insane wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 01 2009 15:20 IzzyCraft wrote:
Java/C++ is a very common first languages to learn. python is fun to know but consider something like PHP FORTRAN etc

Wtf? FORTRAN and PHP are both terrible ideas for starting languages lol. In fact, I can't see you being likely to need FORTRAN in the future at all unless you work in a specific few industries...

I hear COBOL is pretty good though...
An ugly planet. A bug planet.
gzealot
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Singapore238 Posts
April 01 2009 09:09 GMT
#29
COBOL is really industry specific, usually in the banking/ finance industry still using legacy systems,
if you are looking for general languages which are useful in most areas, learn Java/C#/.Net, Python is a scripting language i guess you could pick it up on the side, shouldnt be too difficult.
Patriot.dlk
Profile Blog Joined October 2004
Sweden5462 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-01 09:14:54
April 01 2009 09:10 GMT
#30
really cool to see this reach page 2. I'm going to say Java because I've had a really good time learning it.

I'm also a computer science student, I have a total of two courses in java sadly i've had both so now I learn myself

Note that my post is like - will i recommend java? Yes I will. I have nothing to say about Python never touched it.

Whatever you choose you will probably be ok
SilverSkyLark
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Philippines8437 Posts
April 01 2009 11:23 GMT
#31
On April 01 2009 14:45 thunk wrote:
Can't really go wrong with Python, everyone knows it, even beginners. It's a pretty balanced map, and is about as standard as one can get. It's the bread and butter map of this era.

Never heard of Java. Hasn't ever been used in any major league, has it? Probably suffers from some major imbalances and it falls of the normal gamer's knowledge.


On April 01 2009 14:47 ZeroCartin wrote:
Byzantium ftw


On April 01 2009 15:04 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:
python is overplayed as fuck



Yeah, I knew there will be StarCraft jokes in Page 1.

Anyway my 2 cents:
1. Java, yeah you see then everywhere, I remember my dad telling me that it's faster than flash since it can handle more stuff etc etc.
2. Python, it's uhh, one of the programming languages closest to everyday life english. I think it's one of those languages where I would rarely see comment tags because the commands are very user friendly.

I haven't really used either of them since I started out with C then C++. If you want to study the granddaddies of programming, go study them in your own risk. But to address the OP, I'd advice you go Python.
"If i lost an arm, I would play w3." -IntoTheWow || "Member of Hyuk Hyuk Hyuk cafe. He's the next Jaedong, baby!"
Rhaegar99
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
Australia1190 Posts
April 01 2009 11:48 GMT
#32
If you've never had any programming experience, do python first. Syntax is really simple and it's just really easy to learn. Go java/C++ if you already had some experience, though it is alot more difficult.
gzealot
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Singapore238 Posts
April 06 2009 01:54 GMT
#33
Well, i didnt want to make a new Blog for this, but i just wanted to ask: which is a better/more widely accepted scripting language? Perl or PHP?
Cambium
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States16368 Posts
April 06 2009 03:37 GMT
#34
Start with Java. It's so well established, structured and documented, you really can't go wrong.
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
gzealot
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Singapore238 Posts
April 06 2009 04:12 GMT
#35
I'm looking for a scripting language - i already know C++/C#/Java, so i need something to link my HTML pages with my progs. JavaScript is not that suitable (or has some functionality which i dont know) =(

Suggestions?
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