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by USNetizen 4823 days ago
Gentler for a weekend hacker, but not for a student. Java is verbose for a reason - safety and reliability. Things enterprises value.

Students need to learn what is most pervasive in the field they plan to enter. That being Java. Starting them out on a "lite" version of a programming language simply because it is easier is just setting them up for failure.
2 comments
mbillie1 4823 days ago
I don't agree with the Java hate (why not teach kids to use Java? it's rather condescending if you think they can't learn it), but I will say: having learned to program on my own, I found it both easy and rewarding (lots of immediate, rapid growth and feedback) learning with Python for a few weeks before getting into Java. For some people, and maybe kids are NOT this group (but the group exists), the initial syntax barrier for the complete novice is much more intimidating in Java than it is in Python (or Ruby). I mean, arguably even C has an easier-to-grok-for-the-total-noob 'Hello, World!' than Java...

[insert examples of runnable 'Hello, World!' and 'Hello, <name>!' programs in Python v Ruby v Java here]

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mratzloff 4823 days ago
Thus, anyone who learns a first language other than Java is setting himself up for failure?

My first language was Basic on an Atari 800. My second was C++. I've made a respectable career from programming since then, in both serious and "lite" languages alike, including Java. I seem to have avoided these dire consequences. :-)

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