Where To Begin As A New Software Engineer

As a new software engineer, JavaScript is a good first language.

What makes JavaScript so well-fitted for a first language is a combination of:

• Ease of getting started
• Simple to get going
• Ubiquitous – JavaScript is everywhere, it’s in the browser you are using to read this
• in very high demand with employers worldwide
• easy to prototype with

Ease Of Prototyping

As much as I like the job prospects of JavaScript, for a beginner, that last feature, “ease of prototyping,” will be just as important.

There’s a plethora of frameworks and libraries that make becoming useful really easy.

Unlike a language like C or C++, or even a more complex higher level language like Go or Scala, you can go from zero to hero in next to no time.

Low Learning Curve

It’s easy to underestimate how much a low learning curve is important. Old hands frequently make the mistake of thinking newbies should dive in at the deep end.

But when you are a beginner engineer, you don’t know what you don’t know.

Worse, any difficult bump in your road can derail your plans and discourage you… and many newbie programmers give up in frustration.

If only they had started with an easier language!!!

You Want Hard? Save It For Later

Some developers have a perception that “real” software engineering is done in low level languages like C++, or in esoteric functional programming languages like Ocaml or Haskell.

Think of it as starting a new career as a fighter in Mixed Martial Arts.

Would you sign up to go and face off against Connor McGregor on your first day in the industry?

No, and neither should you feel obligated to tackle these more advanced programming languages early on in your career.

If you don’t mind getting a few early bruises, sure, there’s no real harm.

But if you want a gentler introduction to the programming world, welcome to the world of JavaScript.

I couldn’t recommend the Mozilla tutorials more. Begin here.

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About Ten Mutunhire and Programming Renegades

Ten Mutunhire, founder of Programming Renegades, is a Machine Learning and Fullstack Node.js Developer. Programming Renegades is the world’s first software development agency to be offered by complete Programming Renegades. We use JavaScript and Python almost exclusively, and we focus on web apps (no mobile) and machine learning. See our plans and contact us here.

These are the technologies we work with most:

Node.js and React

• Node.js
• Express.js
• React
• Vue.js
• JavaScript
• CoffeeScript

Machine Learning

• Python
• numpy
• scikit-learn
• TensorFlow
• Flask
• Keras

Our founder, Ten Mutunhire, a Programming Renegade himself, is also available for keynote speeches and tech speaking engagements. Ten’s areas of focus are tips for improving developer/team productivity and happiness, and other high performance strategies for tech teams. For speaking requests, contact us here