Why should I learn more than one programming language to code?

Coding is like being a detective. You can tell who did what by the clues they leave behind. Different people do different things with their jobs and so it’s important to know more than one programming language. With coding, this means that you need to learn how to program in many different languages because they each solve problems in different ways and can offer novel alternatives in situations you may be stuck in.

So let’s get into our recommended top five coding languages for beginners.

Coding with Python

Python is a versatile programming language that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as web development, web scraping, game development, data science, artificial intelligence, and more. It’s precisely because of its readability that many (including us) deem it as a top language you must familiarize yourself with as a developer and best of all it’s free!

Because it is very similar to the English language, many people who have never coded before can pick it up quickly thanks to its simple syntax. Python is a user-friendly language that has graphical user interface (GUI) desktop applications. Some examples of applications that you can use Python for are 2D and 3D imaging, as well as animation software such as Blender. YouTube is another well-known use case of Python.

Pros of Learning Python

• Python is open-source and free to use.
• Cross-Platform and Convenient!
• An abundance of libraries and frameworks available for Python is supported by a vast and diverse community.
• I know I’m repeating myself but it’s easy to use!
• High scalability and potential to grow with you

Cons of Learning Python

• Memory hog due to Python’s structure demands.
• Doesn’t use a compiler so it’s slower than other common languages
• Can lead to bad habits because of its simplicity

Learning Java Coding

Java is a long-standing software language that has been in use for decades. It’s an object-oriented, multipurpose programming language that may be used on any platform. This is thanks to its Write Once, Run Anywhere (WORA) functionality so we see it on Windows, Mac, heck even toasters, etc.

There are a lot of devices that use Java applications, an estimated 3 billion devices. As you can tell by now, Java is used in a lot of different ways for a lot of different reasons. One of the emerging reasons now is big data. Android app development also uses Java as its language of choice. It’s a versatile and reliable language that continues to be one of the most popular languages in the world.

Pros of Learning Java

• Like Python, fairly simple to pick up and learn how to write, compile, etc.
• Platform-independent use!
• Very robust and reliable, stable

Cons of Learning Java

• Unfortunately, also like Python, it’s big on using up your computer’s memory
• Although Java source code is compiled, it’s still interpreted by the virtual machine so it’s slower than other natively compiled programming languages
• Lengthy codes that can be tough to read through and debug out of sheer size.

Swift

Swift is a newer language created by Apple Inc. It was designed to be a more powerful and easier-to-use alternative to Objective-C, another popular language used by Apple for OS X and iOS development. Swift is also a cross-platform and open-source language, so it can be used on many different operating systems and devices.

Swift is now the main language used by Apple for developing all of their new apps and features. According to Apple.com, Swift “was designed to be anyone’s first programming language, whether you’re still in school or exploring new career paths.”

Pros of Learning Swift

• Secure and Open-source
• Lightning-fast!
• Efficient memory use!
• Cross-platform (this is also a con specific to Swift)

Cons of Learning Swift

• Cross-platform support is not as good as in other languages
• Because of its relatively young age (created in 2014), there are limited resources and support for Swift.
• If you’ve used anything made by Apple, you know that their devices don’t usually play well with 3rd party apps. Swift is no exception

Learning How to Code C#

C# (# is Sharp) is a multi-purpose programming language developed in the 2000s by Microsoft. It’s a very powerful language that is similar to Java. In fact, it was created to compete with Java. Many applications you use every day are developed using C# such as Visual Studio, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used by programmers. IDEs are basically code editors on steroids that have a ton of features like debugging tools and libraries all in one place.

Pros of Learning C#

• C# is a high-level language, meaning it’s easier to read and write than some lower-level languages
• High flexibility and efficiency
• It’s object-oriented so working with data is more streamlined
• The learning curve is not too drastic and there’s a large community to back you up.

Cons of Learning C#

• Not cross-platform (normally)
• Requires .NET framework
• C# products cannot interface with hardware.
• Can be tough to start as a true beginner with 0 programming experience

Learning to Code with Golang (Go)

Remember how much faster Google Chrome was compared to its competitors when it first launched in the late 2000s? Cool! Well Golang, or just “Go”, is a programming language developed by Google in the mid-2000s, and like all the other languages on this list, Go is highly-regarded for its simplicity, and readability for beginners.

But where Python and Java are considered slow, Go is called Go for a reason because it can GO real fast and since its open-source debut in 2012, it has become a very rewarding language to learn. Users of Go include tech giants like Dropbox, Netflix, Ethereum, and more.

Pros of Learning GoLang for Programming

• It’s simple. Yes, I sound like a broken record but it’s the truth! It’s probably the easiest one aside from Python.
• Ample support. Just look up #golang on Twitter or on forums and see what I mean.
• SPEED!
• Built to scale

Cons of Learning GoLang for Programming

• Like mentioned with Python, GoLang can lead to bad habits because of how simple it is.
• Built-in Automations can lead to high error rates
• Relatively new still.

What are Coding Bootcamps?

Coding bootcamps have become increasingly popular over the past few years, especially after this obscure thing called the pandemic. They offer a shorter, more intensive alternative to traditional computer science degrees. Many colleges and universities offer bootcamps that typically last between 12 and 20 weeks, and cost around $12,000-$20,000. In contrast, computer science degrees can take up to four years to complete and cost tens of thousands of dollars more.

But it’s 2022 and there are SO many options available now so we have to ask ourselves: are free coding bootcamps worth it or are they a waste of time?

How To Choose Best Free coding Bootcamp for You

In our general opinion, a great free coding bootcamp should offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers all the essential programming languages and frameworks that are relevant to careers you are interested in while STILL being truly free.

There are plethora programming languages each valuable for different use cases so you should be aware of common languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js, and/or SQL . There’s also Python, Java, C#, PHP, Swift, among others. There’s too many to list here.

Any coding bootcamp, free or not, should be providing ample opportunities for students to practice their coding skills in various use cases through realistic projects and exercises. This hands-on approach is absolutely necessary in our opinion and leads to greater engagement and satisfaction.

What separates okay from great free coding bootcamps in our mind is a strong career development component that helps course takers land jobs after graduation. This includes resume and portfolio building assistance, interview prep, and job which some of our candidates below do offer!

Below we compiled our top choices for free introductory courses as well as FULLY FREE complete boot camps available to anyone interested in starting a career or side hustle in coding. We’ll try to specify which have paid components and which are fully free; see you down there!

Top Eight Free Coding Bootcamps

1. Flatiron School
2. 42: Learn to Code
3. MIT OpenCourseWare
4. The Odin Project
5. Ada Developers Academy
6. Skillcrush
7. freeCodeCamp
8. Mississippi Coding Academies

Free Coding Lessons from Flatiron School

At Flatiron School, you can learn introductory coding for free. That’s right, free! If you want to get a taste of what coding is like before committing to a full-fledged paid bootcamp or degree, this is a great option.

The intro courses will guide you through HTML and CSS, then moves on to Ruby, JavaScript, and API integrations. By the end of the course, you’ll have built a few small projects to add to your portfolio.

If you’re not sure if coding is for you, or if you want to get started with coding without spending any money, Flatiron School’s free course is a great option. They do also offer excellent full-paid courses for Software Engineering.

42: Learn to Code

42 is a free coding bootcamp that focuses on helping underrepresented groups in tech get started in their coding journey. They have an intense, competitive application process but it’s free to apply and if you’re accepted, the entire program is free.

Best of all, you DO NOT NEED to know how to code before starting. You don’t need a degree. It is 100% tuition-free. One caveat worth pointing out again is that applying is very competitive and the Piscine segment can be quite grueling but still effective.

MIT OpenCourseWare

MIT OpenCourseWare is a free online course provider that offers courses from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Yes, that MIT! While not a bootcamp, they have free computer science class resources available for anyone who wants to learn about coding, particularly Python 3.5.

And come on, it’s M.I.T., you can’t pass that up!

The Odin Project

The Odin Project is a free open-source curriculum that helps people learn web development. It’s self-paced and you can start learning without any prior experience. The Odin Project is unique in that it offers a “choose your own adventure” type of learning experience where you can learn different programming languages, frameworks, and tools based on what interests you.

Folks over at Reddit love The Odin Project for its intuitive approach to getting accustomed to the field of computer science and coding. No Odin Project student portfolio is identical and that’s incredible.

Ada Developers Academy

Ada Developers Academy is a free coding bootcamp that focuses on inclusivity, particularly for women and non-binary individuals who want to learn web development. They have an immersive, full-time program that is free for accepted students. The program includes career development support to help graduates land jobs after graduation.

They also focus on professional communication around code and web development, making it easier for newbies and junior programmers/developers to participate with software teams.

Skillcrush Free Bootcamp for Coding

Skillcrush offers free courses on coding and design for beginners. Their mission is to make learning technical skills more accessible and affordable for everyone. They have a wide range of courses available, from HTML and CSS to Python and Ruby. Skillcrush covers User Experience (UX) basics and you don’t need a credit card to get started!

freeCodeCamp

freeCodeCamp is a FULLY FREE online coding bootcamp that focuses on helping people transition into careers in web development and software engineering. They have an extensive curriculum that covers everything from Machine Learning with Python to APIs, HTML, and so much more. freeCodeCamp also has multiple FREE certifications available, which can help you stand out when applying for jobs.

This is probably one of our strongest choices available for most seeking a comprehensive course.

Mississippi Coding Academies for Free

Oddball choice but hear us out for a moment because there are approximately 2-3 million people that could benefit here! The Mississippi Coding Academies are free, full-time bootcamps that teach full-stack web development and software engineering. The program boasts of being able to turn accepted applicants into “trained junior developers in just 11 months– at no cost to you”. Full-stack refers to the consumer front-end and what makes it all work from the back-end.

Of course, there is a catch for something that sounds this amazing. You must be a resident of the state of Mississippi in order to even be considered for the Mississippi Coding Academies and you must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent. If you live

Wrap up

Well, there you have it! Our top choices for free coding bootcamps and courses with good curriculum to get you started. While not for everyone, these free coding bootcamps can be valuable for some who wish to learn programming on their own time schedule or without the stress of being in college. Some in particular are fairly strict like 42, but others like the Odin Project shine in self-paced accountability. Hopefully, by now you have an idea of what you want to do and if you’re not sure? Just pick one; these are free!