Which Programming Language to choose to learn first?  As I said in this post, I’ve received opposing advice from more knowledgeable peers about which might be easier and why.  I need to figure out which language is easier for me, and start there.

I thought it might be helpful to break down what I know about each so far.  I can not boast feeling very knowledgeable about either, but I have done some pieces of tutorials for both.  So far, it’s not too confusing to do both at the same time.  In fact, it’s helpful!  Both tutorials contain the same vocabulary, for example Math, Strings, and Functions. Those are some of the things that you can write using JavaScript or Ruby.  Learning about those and other basic components of coding in two different languages is actually helping me feel like I can understand them more deeply.  Each tutorial explains them differently, so each new explanation provides a little more depth to my thinking.

I can’t yet say which I think will be easier to continue with, but I can simply say that I’m understanding more, making coding in general feel easier.

Here’s a snapshot of some differences, thanks to resources from Github, Codecademy, and TryRuby.org.

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Math is probably the most basic thing you can do with programming, so possibly the easiest to understand for complete beginners or non-code types:

Ruby                                                                                              JavaScript

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A String is a sequence of characters. Here are the very basic ways the two tutorials explain strings:

Ruby                                                                                               JavaScript

 

Now here’s a comparison of what strings look like in Ruby and JavaScript.  I don’t really understand any of this yet, but find it helpful just to look at the two side-by-side:

Ruby                                                                                                JavaScript

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A Function is a block of code designed to perform a particular task.  Here are some side-by-side examples:

Ruby                                                                                                 JavaScript

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Even though my understanding is still completely basic and virtually non-existent, I find it helpful to put this stuff side-by-side and at least begin to understand the similarities and differences.  “Compare and contrast” is a pretty basic and universal way to learn about two things.  Children do this from infancy.  Since my knowledge of coding is still in it’s infancy, it’s no wonder I’m relying on these types of strategies, and I think that’s ok.

I still can’t program anything, and I’m spending a lot of time learning about coding.  At some point, I will have to really put my money where my mouth is and figure out how to use code to DO something.  The best part about being a true constructivist teacher and learner, however, is that you learn to build a trust in the unknown.  I take comfort in that trust.