The document discusses choosing a first programming language to learn. It recommends JavaScript for frontend development, JavaScript or Python for backend development, and JavaScript for full-stack development. Python is recommended for data analytics. The document provides an overview of JavaScript and Python histories and popularity. It also gives basic examples of variables and functions in JavaScript and Python to illustrate core programming concepts. Finally, it discusses options for learning to code, including online resources, bootcamps, and degree programs.

1. How to Choose a Programming Language
February 2018
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2. Instructor
Justin Ezor
Thinkful LA Community Manager
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3. About you
What's your name?
What brought you here today?
What is your programming experience?
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4. About Thinkful
Thinkful helps people become developers or data scientists
through 1-on-1 mentorship and project-based learning
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5. What is programming?
Programming is:
writing instructions for a computer to execute
problem-solvingproblem-solving
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6. Learning how to code
Learning to code is a process of learning how to solve
problems in a structured way and then translate those
solutions into instructions a computer can understand and
implement.
Variables, loops, arrays, functions exist in all languages —
stick to one until you understand the core concepts
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7. Pick one thing and master it.
Don’t jump around. It will be surprisingly easy to pick up more
languages once you understand the fundamentals.
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8. Does the first language you choose matter?
It matters, but not in the way most people think. You should
pick the language that makes it easiest for you to learn how
to code.
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9. How to pick a first language?
Objective
Popularity
Accessibility
Job prospects
Longevity
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10. Potential objectives
Frontend
Backend
Full-stack
Data & Analytics
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11. Front end, Back end, and Full stack
Client (sends requests)
Frontend Developer
Manages what user sees
Server (sends response)
Backend Developer
Manages what app does
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12. Data/Analytics
Data & Databases
Database Engineers,
Data Scientists,
Data Analysts
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13. Benefits of Popularity & Accessibility
Has large community of developers, libraries and
frameworks => easier to learn & debug
Syntax is less complicated and more intuitive for first-time
developers
Helps you focus on learning how to code rather than get
distracted by the nuances of the language
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14. Our recommendations
Frontend: Javascript
Backend: Javascript/Python
Full-stack: Javascript
Analytics: Python
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15. Javascript
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16. Javascript history
Written by Brendan Eich in 1995 for Netscape
Initial version written in 10 days
Completely unrelated to Java, but maybe named after it to
draft off its popularity
Over 10 years, became default programming language for
browsers
Continues to evolve under guidance of ECMA
International, with input from top tech companies
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17. Javascript
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18. Why JavaScript?
94% of all websites in the world use Javascript.
Javascript has a monopoly on front end web
development.
All browsers already have Javascript interpreters
included.
Node.js allows Javascript to be written on the
back end as well.
Knowing Javascript means you can create full
stack web applications in minutes.
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19. Python
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20. Python history
First release in 1991
Designed to be simpler and more readable
Named after “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”
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21. Python today
Since 2003, consistently ranked in top 10 most
popular languages.
As of 2017, was fifth most popular language,
currently #3 on Github
Has become standard language in computer
science curriculums (displacing Java)
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22. Python today
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23. Python analytics
Data scientists are increasingly using Python
over R
Python has excellent modules for “big data”
analysis and machine learning (NumPy, Pandas,
sklearn)
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24. Javascript basics: variables
var cars = 20
Initialize variable
Name of variable
Value of variable
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25. Python basics: variables
cars = 20
Name of variable
Value of variable
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26. Javascript basics: functions
function greet() {
return "Hello world!";
}
Initialize function Name of function
What the function does
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27. Python basics: functions
def printme():
print "Hello world!"
return
Initialize function Name of function
What the function does
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28. That's it!
Understanding variables and functions means
you already understand the fundamentals of a
programming language!
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29. How can I learn?
Build stuff + Google
Free online resources (e.g. CodeAcademy)
Flexible coding bootcamps (e.g Thinkful)
Full-time coding bootcamps (e.g. GA,
Thinkful)
Full degree programs (Georgia Tech)
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30. Thinkful - structure and support
More Structure
Less Structure
More SupportLess Support
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31. 325+ mentors325+ mentors with an average of
10 years of experience10 years of experience in the
field
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32. Support 'round the clock
Your Mentor
Q&A Sessions
Career Coach
In-person Workshops
Slack
Program Manager
YouYou
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33. Our results
92%92%job-placement rate + job guarantee
Kaeside IwuagwuKaeside Iwuagwu
Link for the third party audit jobs report:
https://www.thinkful.com/bootcamp-jobs-https://www.thinkful.com/bootcamp-jobs-
statsstats
Frontend Developer
Sierra GreggSierra Gregg
Software Engineer
JP EarnestJP Earnest
Web Developer
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34. Take a tour!
Talk to me (or email aaron@thinkful.com ) if you're interested
Get a tour of the program to see if
project-based, online learning is a
good fit for you.
Discuss the curriculum,
mentorship, and how to create
your own learning schedule.
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35. Thinkful's free resource
Talk to one of us and email aaron.lamphere@thinkful.comaaron.lamphere@thinkful.com to learn
more
Web Development Fundamentals
Covers HTML, CSS and JavaScript
Unlimited mentor-led Q&A sessions
Personal Program Manager to help you
set goals and navigate resources
Student Slack Channel
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