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> I think starting with a lower level language helps with this way of thinking. If you learn everything about C (for example), and later learn a higher level la
by c22 11y ago
> I think starting with a lower level language helps with this way of thinking. If you learn everything about C (for example), and later learn a higher level language, it's easy to think of how you would implement a certain feature of the higher level language.
I cannot agree with this more. A lot of people seem to think that a "better" language to learn programming with is one that is "easier" or "more forgiving", but everyone I know who started with C became excellent programmers whereas ability among the group who started with something else is somewhat more hit or miss.
- rgbrenner 11y agoYes.. I think it's because C forces you to think about things you would never have to think about in a higher lang. For example, I know exactly how garbage collection works.. since I once had to write a GC for a project. So when I use a higher lang, that part isn't magic... it's just something someone else already wrote for me. Whereas, if you started with a higher level lang, you could get by without ever learning how a GC works. Yes, you could dive into the details of your language, but there's no requirement for you to do it. And I think that explains what you've noticed... it's hit or miss because those who chose to dive into the details of their lang eventually became excellent developers...
- afarrell 11y ago> everyone I know who started with C became excellent programmers whereas ability among the group who started with something else is somewhat more hit or miss. How much of this is survivorship bias?