Which platform is best for beginners

I’m looking to get into coding, but I’m completely new. I’ve never written a line of code in my life. I’m overwhelmed by all the different languages and platforms out there. I’m mostly interested in web development, maybe front-end or back-end, I’m not really sure yet. I also have a vague interest in mobile app development.

Specifically, I’m trying to decide between Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, Udemy, and some of these "no-code" website builders like Wix or Squarespace. Codecademy and freeCodeCamp seem popular, but Udemy has a lot of different courses. Would a "no-code" solution be a good starting point just to get familiar with things visually before diving into actual coding?

Also, I’m on a pretty tight budget, so free or very low-cost options are preferred. I’m willing to pay a small amount for a really good course, but ideally, I’d like to find something that’s free to start. Any advice on the best platform to start learning with, considering my lack of experience and budget constraints? Are there any other platforms I should be considering too?

Answer

Choosing the "best" platform for beginners is subjective and depends heavily on the specific goals and interests of the individual. However, considering factors like ease of use, available resources, community support, and cost, some platforms consistently rank higher for newcomers than others. I’ll break down a few popular options, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses from a beginner’s perspective.

1. Scratch:

• Focus: Primarily designed for teaching children (and beginners of all ages) the fundamentals of programming through a visual, drag-and-drop interface.
• Ease of Use: Extremely easy to learn. Blocks representing code commands are dragged and snapped together, eliminating the need to write complex syntax.
• Learning Curve: Very gentle. Introduces core programming concepts like sequencing, loops, and conditional statements in a fun and intuitive way.
• Resources: Extensive tutorials, example projects, and a large online community provide ample support.
• Community: Very active and supportive, especially for young learners.
• Project Scope: Primarily focused on creating interactive stories, animations, and simple games. While capable, it’s not intended for developing complex applications.
• Limitations: Not a professional-grade programming language. Knowledge gained is foundational, but you’ll eventually need to transition to a text-based language for more advanced projects.
• Cost: Free.
• Why it’s good for beginners: Scratch excels at making programming approachable and enjoyable. It removes the intimidation factor of complex syntax and allows beginners to focus on understanding the logic behind coding.

2. Python:

• Focus: A versatile, general-purpose programming language used in web development, data science, machine learning, scripting, and more.
• Ease of Use: Relatively easy to learn compared to languages like C++ or Java. Python’s syntax is designed to be readable and concise.
• Learning Curve: Moderate. While the syntax is relatively simple, mastering advanced concepts like object-oriented programming and data structures requires more effort.
• Resources: Abundant. A massive online community, extensive documentation, countless tutorials, and comprehensive libraries make Python a well-supported language.
• Community: One of the largest and most active programming communities in the world.
• Project Scope: Extremely broad. Python can be used for almost any type of programming project, from simple scripts to complex web applications.
• Limitations: Can be slower than compiled languages like C++ for computationally intensive tasks.
• Cost: Free and open-source.
• Why it’s good for beginners: Python’s readability, versatility, and extensive resources make it a strong choice for beginners who want to learn a language with real-world applications. Its large community ensures that help is readily available.

3. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (Web Development):

• Focus: Front-end web development (the part of a website that users interact with).
• Ease of Use: HTML (structure) is relatively easy to learn. CSS (styling) has a steeper learning curve. JavaScript (behavior) requires more effort to master.
• Learning Curve: Varies depending on the technology. HTML is fairly straightforward. CSS becomes more complex with advanced layouts and animations. JavaScript involves programming logic and DOM manipulation.
• Resources: Extremely plentiful. The web development community is vast, and there are countless tutorials, online courses, and documentation available.
• Community: Very large and active, with many forums and communities dedicated to web development.
• Project Scope: Building websites and web applications.
• Limitations: Limited scope compared to general-purpose languages like Python. Primarily focused on web development.
• Cost: The core technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) are free. However, you might need to pay for hosting, domain names, or advanced tools.
• Why it’s good for beginners (interested in web development): If your primary interest is creating websites, learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential. The immediate visual feedback (seeing your changes in a browser) can be very motivating for beginners. Many free online resources are available to start your web development journey.

4. Block-Based Coding Platforms (Other than Scratch):

• Examples: Blockly, App Inventor
• Focus: Like Scratch, these platforms use visual block-based interfaces to teach programming concepts.
• Ease of Use: Very easy to learn and use. No syntax to memorize.
• Learning Curve: Gentle, focusing on logical thinking and problem-solving.
• Resources: Generally good, with tutorials and documentation available.
• Community: Varies depending on the platform.
• Project Scope: Often geared toward specific applications, such as creating mobile apps (App Inventor) or learning specific programming concepts (Blockly).
• Limitations: Similar to Scratch, these platforms are primarily educational tools and are not suitable for building complex, professional-grade applications.
• Cost: Usually free.
• Why they’re good for beginners: Block-based platforms offer a low-barrier entry point to programming, allowing beginners to grasp fundamental concepts without getting bogged down in syntax errors.

Considerations for Choosing a Platform:

• Your Goals: What do you want to create? Do you want to build websites, games, mobile apps, or analyze data? Your goals will influence the best platform for you.
• Your Learning Style: Do you prefer visual learning or text-based learning?
• Time Commitment: How much time are you willing to dedicate to learning? Some platforms have a steeper learning curve than others.
• Community Support: Is there a large and active community that can provide help when you get stuck?
• Available Resources: Are there plenty of tutorials, documentation, and online courses available?

In summary:

• For absolute beginners with no prior programming experience, especially those interested in visual learning and creating interactive stories or simple games: Scratch is an excellent starting point.
• For beginners who want to learn a versatile language with real-world applications and a large community: Python is a strong contender.
• For beginners who are specifically interested in web development: Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential.
• For beginners who want to create mobile apps without writing code: App Inventor is a good choice.

Ultimately, the best platform for you is the one that you find most engaging and that helps you achieve your goals. Don’t be afraid to try out a few different platforms to see which one resonates with you the most. The most important thing is to start learning and have fun!