Should I learn a few programming languages on my own before doing computer science?

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>So I'm thinking to study computer science. But that's two years away. So I have plenty of time.</p>

<p>My cousin is studying computer science, and she recommended that I study a few programming languages on my own before starting my studies.</p>

<p>Is this a good idea?</p>

2

<p>Yes. I recommend starting out with Python.</p>

3

<p>Visual Basic is also easy if your learning.</p>

4

<p>You’d probably be better served learning one language well than trying to learn a bunch of different languages. Once you learn the ideas behind one you generally just need to learn the syntax of the others in order to get by.</p>

5

<p>[Welcome</a> to the SICP Web Site](<a href=“http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/]Welcome”>http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/) includes pointers to a classic introductory CS book and language interpreters with which you can do the examples and exercises.</p>

6

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<p>Visual Basic is easy to learn, maybe, but it’s not something with much lasting value.</p>

7

<p>Not gonna lie; I’ve found VB a lot easier to pick up after months/years of not coding when I need a quick program to do something simple versus C++.</p>

8

<p>Lame. Bad advice.</p>

<p>Learn Java first. It’s not the easiest language to learn, but it is the first language you learn in many colleges. And in many colleges, if you know Java already you can test out of it. I second learning Python also. But Visual Basic? Come on!</p>

<p>And you have two years, so I think you can pick up a couple of languages. I would do Java, Python, and PHP. Java and PHP because they’re extremely useful in the workforce. Python because it’s easy so you might as well. It’s also useful. Visual Basic? No. Don’t learn Visual Basic.</p>

9

<p>I think it’s pretty useful to learn some programming languages before you start school because it will give you a advantage over the other students when you take your first CS classes. I would also recommend against Visual Basic because it’s kind of useless. However, there are easier programming languages out there that will get you ready for the more heavy duty ones like C or C++. I would recommend learning JavaScript or Python.</p>