Re:Ask HN: How to choose the right language
by jacquesm on Saturday August 15, 2009 @01:37PM
(#764946)
For a very simple language start with HTML, then add some javascript and then go for a server side scripting language.
That way you can sort of ease in to the concepts of syntax (and debugging) in a familiar environment.
Adding some js will give you some client side functionality, from there it is a (relatively) small step to running some code on the server.
Then you can add things like databases and so on.
The language itself is not the most important factor, the method (edit - (compile) - test - evaluate and iterate) is.
You'll learn how to set yourself a goal (say building a website), sketching it out (paper is good), then make a static html mock-up, then expand on that.
That way you can sort of ease in to the concepts of syntax (and debugging) in a familiar environment.
Adding some js will give you some client side functionality, from there it is a (relatively) small step to running some code on the server.
Then you can add things like databases and so on.
The language itself is not the most important factor, the method (edit - (compile) - test - evaluate and iterate) is.
You'll learn how to set yourself a goal (say building a website), sketching it out (paper is good), then make a static html mock-up, then expand on that.
This will take you some time!