Heyy, I’m learning programming and trying to choose a focus, I saw you can make web/backend w node, desktop (bloatware but discord uses it so if it works it works), games (not AAA and not optimized for performance but it shouldn’t matter for indie too much) Is there anything that compares? I wanna focus on one thing instead of spreading myself over a ton of languages, I do feel js is interesting for this, but I’m just starting out, so looking to hear some thoughts of people more familiar with programming.

  • Treczoks@lemmy.world
    1·
    9 days ago

    There is no “most versatile programming language”. That is a myth.

    The choice of a programming language for a project depends on the projects requirements. It could be a script language like Python, PHP, JS, or even Perl or Bash. Or something compiled like C, C++, Rust, or even Pascal or Prolog. It always depends on the project.

    Heck, if you have to build something sticking to a COBOL or FORTRAN system, using anything else would probably a stupid idea in the first place.

    So if anyone tells you “Programming language X is the one and only solution for everything”, it is more an admission of a severe lack of knowledge and experience.

    • skibidi@lemmy.world
      0·
      8 days ago

      While this is true, I will say there are some languages built for very specific problems that make poor tools for general use.

      Trying to build a distributed web app in Matlab or Mathematica would either be a flex or a complete waste of time, for instance.

  • Kaligalis@lemmy.world
    1·
    10 days ago

    The best language for starting is the language you find easiest to learn.
    But Rosetta Code lists a lot of programming tasks solved in a lot of different languages. Just browse a bit and if you’re lucky you just fall in love with one of the languages. Then, difficulty doesn’t matter.

  • one_old_coder@piefed.socialEnglish
    1·
    10 days ago

    Python or C++ are way more suited to build all the applications you listed.

    And IMHO JavaScript is one of the worst language ever created. PHP is also a very bad language, it seems like the web attracts all the bad stuff.

    • SlayersFan@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      10 days ago

      so python/c can be used for web/backend desktop gui apps, mobile apps and games? I’m not talking just about what’s the “best” language but the more versatile, also i haven’t included it, but speed of development (how long it takes to write the code for the programmer) is also a plus

      • one_old_coder@piefed.socialEnglish
        0·
        10 days ago

        Most modern games are written in C++. If you need speed using a high-level language, there is only C++ (or maybe optimized C#).

        • NotSteve_@lemmy.ca
          0·
          10 days ago

          Most modern games are built on engines written in C++ but game development is usually done in languages like C# on top of those engines, no? Unless you’re doing engine development you probably won’t be touching C++

          I could be wrong since I’m in software and not games but that seems to be the way

          • gastroglizzy@piefed.socialEnglish
            0·
            9 days ago

            It depends on the engine. Unity is based on C# so it isn’t as performant as Unreal Engine 4 and 5, which use C. Unreal Engine uses UnrealScript, which is an intermediary language based on Java, which is similar to C#. The Source/id/Quake engine also uses C.