I didn’t exactly sit down with a list of programming languages and carefully select one to start with. Instead, I somehow found myself tinkering with HTML and CSS. Okay, maybe not “somehow.” At 11 years old, I just wanted to jazz up my Myspace profile with a cool background and a playlist, and HTML and CSS were what I needed to make it happen.

Looking back, that’s just one of the ways people accidentally fell into coding, but tons of people in tech still face the same dilemma: What language should I learn first?

Should you dive into something complex like C++ or Ruby? Should you take the easier route with scripting languages like PHP or Perl? Instead, are you drawn to front-end languages like HTML and CSS, or are you curious about the back-end with Python or C#? Then, there’s JavaScript, the all-in-one language that covers both the front-end and back-end.

Ultimately, your decision should be based on one thing: your goals. If you’re curious and want to code as a hobby, you might consider something that gives you instant satisfaction, like HTML and CSS. If you’re considering a full-time career, you should look at languages in high demand, like JavaScript or Python.

Don’t stress about making the “perfect” choice, either. Fortunately, almost every language can open doors, even if it’s the only one you know. Tech is all about adaptability, and starting with one language means learning others will be easier. Start by figuring out why you’re learning to code in the first place. And once you do, the next part — the solution — might still feel like a mystery, but we won’t leave you hanging!

Here are four languages to consider if you’re confused about where to start your coding journey.

Table of Contents

• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript
• Python
• PHP
• Other Coding Languages Ranked
• Start Coding Today

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HTML/CSS

HTML and CSS are practically the ABCs of the internet, and you need to understand them if you want to create anything from a personal blog to a full-fledged e-commerce site.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is all about structure. Think of it like laying out the bones of a web page. You use simple tags like <h1> for headings or <p> for paragraphs, which you can easily memorize. It’s direct and logical — nothing too complex to get in the way of building your website.

Once you’ve set the structure with HTML, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is your styling tool. If you want to change the color of your text or adjust margins, it’s a few lines of code. You write things like p {color: blue; } and the changes appear instantly in your browser.

Part of the beauty of HTML and CSS is the immediate feedback. Change your code, hit refresh — et voilà — the page updates. The instant visual feedback can be a huge help, especially when you’re a beginner. I don’t know about you, but for me, it helped keep me motivated since I could watch my work come together, line by line.

HTML and CSS are everywhere. According to Statista, they were the second most-used programming languages among developers in 2024. Every website, from the simplest blog to the most advanced platform, uses both. Plus, there are a lot of opportunities in the job market for people with HTML/CSS skills, including:

• Front-End Developer (Entry-Level): Many early-stage development jobs focus on working with HTML and CSS to build and update websites.
• Web Designer: A web designer might work at an agency or as a freelancer and use HTML/CSS to transform visual designs into functional web pages.
• Email developer: Teams at companies like Mailchimp, for example, hire email developers who specialize in creating HTML emails for marketing campaigns.

You should learn HTML/CSS first if you:

• Want to build websites or web applications
• Prefer a hands-on, visual introduction to coding
• See yourself in web design or front-end development
• Want to customize or maintain your own website or blog

Related: The Best HTML and CSS Projects for Beginners

JavaScript

JavaScript was the most popular programming language in 2024, and it’s not hard to understand why. When developers want to make their websites and web apps more interactive and dynamic, the answer is almost always JavaScript.

Like HTML and CSS, JavaScript is essentially everywhere. From the games you play on your web browser to complex apps like Google Docs, JavaScript helps power both front- and back-end development. You don’t need complicated setups or special compilers (I’m looking at you C++ and Java) because it runs directly in the browser. And unlike C++ and Java, JavaScript won’t crash over minor mistakes. JavaScript’s syntax is beginner-friendly and relatively forgiving, so missing a semicolon won’t necessarily break your code.

Now, if you’re more interested in front-end development, it’s better to start with HTML and CSS, but JavaScript is a good place to start your coding journey for other reasons. You can use JavaScript for:

• Interactive Websites
  JavaScript powers the interactive elements you use daily — things like dropdown menus, image sliders, and form validations. It’s the language behind social media platforms that have real-time chats or dynamic maps like Google Maps.
• Web Applications and Frameworks
  If you want to build complex apps like Google Docs or Figma, JavaScript can help. With existing frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js, you can start building dynamic, single-page applications.
• Back-end Development
  JavaScript isn’t just for front-end development. With Node.js, you can get into back-end development — creating APIs and server-side applications.

In the tech world, knowing one language is rarely an ideal scenario, but learning JavaScript first can open doors. Some positions where you can start with your JavaScript skills include:

• Node.js Developer (Back-End Developer)
• React Native Developer (Mobile App Developer)
• Game Developer (Web-Based)

And even if you don’t want to work exclusively with JavaScript, it’s a skill that comes in handy in tons of other development roles.

You should learn JavaScript first if you want to:

• Create interactive, dynamic websites that respond to users in real-time
• Design browser-based games
• Build web apps (with JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js)
• Develop mobile apps (with tools like React Native)

Related: Learning JavaScript Frameworks Will Boost Your Job Prospects—But Which One Should You Learn First?

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Python

Python is the one programming language that will make you feel like a pro even if you’re new to development.

Python’s syntax is designed to be as close to plain English as possible — with keywords like ‘if’, ‘else’, ‘for’, and ‘while’ — so programmers don’t have to worry about memorizing complex symbols and rules. For example, instead of curly brackets or semicolons, Python uses indentations to define code blocks. This means you can focus more on the logic behind your code than the technicalities of how to write it. And when you run into a problem — and you will, which is totally normal — don’t stress. Python has a massive, supportive community on websites like Stack Overflow and Reddit’s r/learnpython subreddit.

Another one of Python’s many benefits is its extensive library, which includes tools for almost anything you could think of. Do you want to pull data from a website? There’s a library for that. If you’re big into astronomy and want to find Saturn in the sky, you could use the Python library, PyEphem. Now, astronomy is relatively niche, so if you learn Python, what other things can you do with it?

You can use Python for:

• Web Development: Although labeled a back-end programming language, coders can use Python for more than back-end development. It’s great for building web apps, too. Frameworks like Django and Flask make it easy to create everything from small websites to complex platforms. Take Instagram, for example. It’s built on Django, so who knows? If you learn Python, maybe you can create the next Instagram.
• Data Science and Machine Learning: R programming language is great for statistics and data analysis, but Python has become the language for data science and artificial intelligence. With libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Scikit-learn, you can get into data analysis and even build machine learning models. That’s why companies like Spotify and Netflix use Python to power their recommendation systems.
• Automating Tasks: If you want to automate repetitive work, you need Python in your toolkit. Whether you’re scraping data from the web, renaming hundreds of files at once, or sending out batch emails, Python’s libraries make it possible.
• Game Development: Python also lets you get creative with game development. For example, the Pygame library lowers the learning curve so you can start with building simple games before moving on to developing more complex ones as your skills grow.

Now, is Python one of those languages where you can land a job if it’s the only programming language you know? Fortunately, yes. With big data becoming such a huge focus for companies, there’s a growing demand for data scientists who can turn raw numbers into meaningful insights. Python is one of the best programming languages for this — it helps you process data, generate reports, and even predict future trends. And that’s why tons of companies, even big players like Google, rely on Python for data analysis.

And it doesn’t stop there. Python developers are also in high demand for automating tasks and building back-end services. Tech companies are constantly looking for automation engineers to write scripts that make software testing and deployment faster and smoother.

You should learn Python first if you want to:

• Work in data science, machine learning, or artificial intelligence
• Start your development journey with an easy, beginner-friendly language
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Keep your programming options open since Python applies to almost any area of development
• Get hired by companies that rely on big data

Related: Tech 101: Python vs JavaScript—What’s the Difference?

PHP

If you want to get into back-end web development, PHP (which used to stand for Personal Home Page but now somewhat confusingly stands for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) could be your first programming language. This popular server-side scripting language is perfect for creating dynamic websites. For example, when you visit a site like WordPress, PHP is behind the scenes, helping to pull up content and display it properly.

PHP is useful when it comes to building web apps, too. Think of an online store like Shopify, where PHP handles tasks like processing user orders and updating inventory. Additionally, when you’re interacting with databases, PHP makes it easy to fetch, store, and display data, like user accounts or blog posts, all while keeping everything running in the background.

PHP’s syntax is beginner-friendly and much more approachable than some other languages so you won’t be bogged down by complicated rules right off the bat. While it follows a C-style structure, it doesn’t require the same complex setup as some other programming languages. For example, you can embed PHP directly into your HTML, so you can start adding dynamic elements to your website with a bit of code. If you wanted to display today’s date on your webpage, you could easily pop this in: <?php echo date(‘Y-m-d’); ?>

Getting started with PHP is pretty straightforward. All you need is a development environment, like XAMPP or MAMP, which — thankfully — comes pre-packed with everything you need: PHP, Apache (a free and open-source server), and MySQL (a database management system). Once it’s set up, you’re ready to start coding.

When you have a handle on PHP, you’ll find plenty of job opportunities. These include:

• WordPress Developer: WordPress is the most commonly used content management system (CMS), and it’s built entirely on PHP. Your work would include developing themes, creating plugins, and maintaining the site.
• CMS Developer: Similar to WordPress, other PHP-based content management systems (like Drupal and Joomla) require developers with PHP skills for building and maintaining websites.
• Web Developer: PHP is heavily used for server-side web development, so strong PHP skills are crucial for many web developer positions. This often involves working with databases, APIs, and other back-end technologies.

Like many on this list, PHP might be an ‘older’ player in the game, but its practicality and ease make it a great starting point for aspiring web developers.

You should learn PHP first if you want to:

• Work with popular content management systems like WordPress
• Focus on back-end web development
• Develop themes and plugins for WordPress
• Maintain and improve existing websites

Other Coding Languages Ranked

Some coding languages are easier to grasp right away, while others might require more effort before you start feeling comfortable. And don’t forget that everyone learns a little differently. What’s easy for you might be tough for someone else and vice-versa. However, languages that seem more complex at first sight can be surprisingly approachable with the right mindset and resources. Even so, many software developers find it easier to learn the fundamentals and set the foundation with beginner-friendly languages so they can build their understanding and tackle more difficult concepts later on.

For example, SQL is easy for querying data, but when you get into optimizing queries or managing large-scale databases, it starts to require more intermediate skills. JavaScript is another one. Getting started with basic web interactivity might feel simple, but creating sophisticated single-page applications — like the Google Doc I’m using to write this article — will quickly level up the difficulty.

Truth be told, it’s all subjective and relative. Sure, HTML and CSS are ideal places to start for web development, but if you want to work in generative AI, for example, learning CSS would be a waste of your time. Again, the coding language you learn first should be based on your goals, but there’s nothing wrong with a nudge in the right direction. If you want to start with beginner-friendly coding languages — languages that’ll help you build your confidence and still land a great job — before moving on to more advanced ones, here’s how we might rank some of the many different languages.

Beginner-Friendly Coding Languages:

• Lua: With its straightforward syntax, Lua is one of the easiest languages to pick up. It’s used in game development for creating custom functionalities in apps like Adobe Lightroom or scripting behaviors in games like Roblox. You could start building a character’s movement in a game with a few lines of Lua code — it’s that simple to get started.
• Dart: Dart is a great starting point for mobile development, especially when paired with Flutter, Google’s open-source UI software development kit. Dart has a clean and clear syntax that makes it easy to build cross-platform mobile apps (iOS and Android) with minimal setup.

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Intermediate-Level Languages:

• SQL: Writing a basic SQL query, like fetching customer information from a database, is beginner-friendly, but to really master SQL, you need to learn more complex tasks. These include joining multiple tables or optimizing queries for large datasets. For example, if you’re building a recommendation engine that relies on large amounts of data, you’ll put your SQL skills to the test as you work with advanced queries and database structures.
• Ruby: Ruby is known for its readable syntax, and with the Ruby on Rails framework, it’s a staple for web development. However, to become a Ruby developer, you’d need to familiarize yourself with its deeper conventions — think RESTful architecture and MVC (Model-View-Controller) design.
• Kotlin: Kotlin is a modern, concise syntax for Android development, and it’s a great alternative to Java. However, Android-specific concepts, such as Android Architecture Components (AAC), and object-oriented principles require practice. If you’ve ever tried building an Android app, like a to-do list, Kotlin makes the process smooth, but learning to integrate features like push notifications or data storage will take more time.
• Swift: Swift is Apple’s go-to language for iOS and macOS development, and while it’s beginner-friendly, there’s plenty of depth to explore. As you get into more complex topics like memory management and multithreading (the CPUs ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously), things get tricky. However, if you want to build a smooth, high-performance app, like a photo editor for both iPhones and Macbooks, you’ll need to master these more advanced concepts to keep everything running.
• R: R is beginner-friendly programming language for data science, but the real magic happens when you get into statistical models and intricate data visualizations. Think of it like analyzing a massive dataset to predict trends in stock prices. The deeper you go, the more R becomes essential for generating insights through different mathematical and machine-learning techniques.
• Go: Go’s clean syntax and lightning-fast performance make it a favorite for server-side applications, but mastering the language takes a bit of work. Understanding concepts, such as concurrency and goroutines, is crucial, especially when you’re building systems that need to handle thousands of connections at once. With Go, software developers can build high-performance apps that scale seamlessly.
• Bash: Bash is easy to get started with, especially for basic command-line tasks, but once you move into the intricacies of scripting, automating system tasks like backups or syncing files across servers can save you hours of manual work.

Advanced-Level Languages:

• Java: Java, not to be confused with JavaScript, is known for its stability and scalability in large-scale applications, but it takes time to master. It has its challenges — wordy syntax, JVM (Java Virtual Machine) management, and advanced design patterns (Factory Pattern, Singleton Pattern, etc.) — but once you get the hang of it, it’s perfect for building huge, scalable systems, like those needed in enterprise-level applications or banking systems.
• C: Learning C means working with a low-level language, giving you more control over memory and how your computer operates. This can be powerful, but it makes C harder to learn, especially when you’re managing memory and using pointers. Unlike higher-level languages, you need to handle memory yourself, which can be difficult for beginners — get it wrong, and you’ll face issues like memory leaks or crashes. Despite its steep learning curve, C is essential for developing system-level programs, like operating systems or embedded systems, where you need complete control over the hardware.
• Rust: Rust’s claim to fame is its balance of performance and memory safety. Sure, it’s a great choice for high-performance applications, but mastering its ownership and borrowing concepts isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re working on a project that demands both speed and reliability, like a game engine or networking system, Rust makes it possible, but you’ll need to sacrifice some time, resources, and some of your patience to master it.
• Assembly: If you want to get as close as possible to the hardware, consider learning Assembly. It’s not for beginners, as it requires an understanding of computer architecture and how processors handle instructions and memory. There’s no doubt about it — Assembly is challenging, but it can be incredibly rewarding, especially for software engineers who need to create a custom bootloader for a microprocessor.

Just because a language is considered advanced doesn’t mean it’s out of reach from the start. If you’re determined and have access to the right resources, tackling a more complex language early on can give you a deep understanding of programming concepts that will make it easier to learn others later. It might take more patience, but getting into the heart of programming can ultimately set you up for success as your skills grow.

Start Coding Today

The truth is, the “perfect” first coding language probably doesn’t exist. What matters more is that you start. Picking a language that sparks your interest and aligns with a project or career goal is the way to go. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated — just something that excites you enough to keep going. When you’re ready, Skillcrush’s Break Into Tech program is a great place to start. It’ll help you build solid skills in HTML, CSS, Javascript, and Python, teaching you everything you need to know and giving you all the tools to make your jump into the tech industry.