Starting my BS in fall, what languages do you recommend I go about learning until then?
Posted by Just-Pea-5165@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 12 comments
I’ve picked up where I left off and got my AA at community college and now I’m transferring to go for my bachelors. During the downtime, I plan on mastering python, getting the CCNA and get a decent grasp on algebra and calculus to get me in a comfortable spot for when I start school.
I want to know what would be optimal to learn after I learn Python or if I should. I plan on being very involved with school, attending hackathon, clubs and whatever I can to get the full experience, what are common or recommended languages I am likely to see or need a grasp of?
TheNerdishRace@reddit
"Starting my BS in fall" is an amazing thing to pop up on my feed lmao
Just-Pea-5165@reddit (OP)
haha what do you mean?
TheNerdishRace@reddit
BS as in short for bullsh*t.
gh0stofSBU@reddit
Java, Javascript, python, C
emt139@reddit
I’d instead focus on discrete math (proof-based)
Just-Pea-5165@reddit (OP)
That’s actually good timing with me grinding math. Do you recommend any resources that are viable?
Dry-Hamster-5358@reddit
You’re already on a really good track with Python + math.
After Python, I’d suggest picking up one lower-level language like C++ or Java. Not because you’ll use it everywhere, but because it helps you understand memory, performance, and how things work under the hood — which your degree will likely expect.
Beyond languages, I’d focus on:
Also, don’t stress about learning “many” languages. Most of the time, once you understand one well, picking up others becomes much easier. If you want a simple path: Python → DSA → C++/Java → small projects
That’ll put you way ahead when you start.
StarsCHISoxSuperBowl@reddit
C. Ignore people saying Python. People who do not understand the fundamentals are getting replaced and not getting hired in the first place. There's way too many people in CS right now for yet another forgettable and sloppy Javascript/Python main.
token-tensor@reddit
stop stacking languages and just build something real. python is enough to start — pick a small project that solves an actual problem and ship it. you'll learn more from one deployed project than three language tutorials.
AutoNateAI@reddit
Try to stop thinking about how many languages you’re stacking.
Why do you even feel like you need more right now?
It’s not really about that.
I’ve learned a bunch over time and, day to day, I don’t even touch most of them. You end up using whatever actually fits the problems you’re solving.
Python’s already enough to get you moving.
What are you actually trying to be able to build before fall?
Altruistic_Mango_928@reddit
Python is solid foundation to start with but after you get comfortable with it id suggest picking up JavaScript since its everywhere in web development and youll probably encounter it in lot of projects during school. Java is also pretty common in university courses especially for data structures and algorithms classes
For hackathons JavaScript is really useful because you can build full stack applications quickly and most teams need someone who can handle the frontend. C++ might be worth looking at too since some schools still use it for lower level programming courses and it helps you understand memory management better
I host airbnb and do some basic automation scripts in Python but when i wanted to build proper web interface for managing bookings i had to learn JavaScript anyway. The transition wasnt too bad since you already understand programming concepts from Python
Database stuff like SQL is also worth learning early since almost every project needs to store data somewhere. Most universities dont spend enough time in databases but its super practical skill
vavakado@reddit
C. It’s very widespread, simplistic, and knowing even just a bit of C can help you understand a bunch of other languages, and have a better understanding of how memory works. Also it’s used in Cython.