8 Programming Languages to Learn After You've Learned Scratch
Getting started with programming can be daunting if you’re not sure where to begin, but the good news is that there are plenty of languages you can choose from that are simple and easy to understand, like Scratch or HTML. After you’ve learned these basics, though, it’s time to move on to something more advanced. Here are eight programming languages you should try once you feel ready to take the next step into coding.
1) Ruby
Ruby is a dynamic programming language with a focus on simplicity and productivity. It has an elegant syntax that is natural to read and easy to write. For these reasons, Ruby is a great language for beginners but it also has powerful features like metaprogramming, polymorphism, closures, and pattern matching that make it a great choice for experienced programmers who want to focus on getting things done.
2) JavaScript
JavaScript is arguably one of, if not the, most popular programming languages. A superset of ECMAScript, it is an interpreted language, which means that its source code is executed by a web browser using an HTML5 engine. JavaScript applications use AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) to communicate with servers.
3) Python
Python, with its simple syntax and efficient use of resources, is an excellent language for new programmers. Python was created by Guido van Rossum in 1991 and has since become one of the most popular languages for beginners. Learning Python allows you to create clean code that’s easy to read. Most websites are written in Python, making it a great choice if you want to become a web developer.
4) PHP
If you’re just starting out with programming, PHP is a good choice. It’s simple enough for beginners to pick up quickly, yet powerful enough for experienced developers. And unlike some of its competitors, PHP has scaled well over time and can handle massive sites like Facebook and WordPress.
5) Swift
Swift is a compiled language developed by Apple for iOS, OS X, watchOS, and tvOS app development. As of Xcode 6, it became a fully supported language that comes installed by default with Xcode. It is possible to use Swift to create both client-server and web applications in addition to mobile apps. Swift is a multi-paradigm language that supports several programming styles including object-oriented and imperative.
6) Go
Go is an open-source programming language developed by Google. It's a statically typed, compiled language with a syntax similar to C (if you're familiar with C or Java, you'll feel right at home). Go has concurrency built in—this means that your program can execute tasks simultaneously without locking up your interface.
7) C++
C++ is a general-purpose programming language that’s widely used in all kinds of development—game engines, device drivers, desktop apps, even websites. One of its main selling points is that it allows you to have some low-level control over your computer hardware. It’s a great second language for beginners as it combines many aspects of C# and Java.
8) Java
Java is one of the oldest and most widely used programming languages around. It's also used a lot in web development, so it's something you'll want to learn if you're planning on creating programs for websites.
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