Syntax Simplify

What langauge should I learn first?

What’s best? Python? Java? C++?

Answer: None of these.

Python might have the least amount of typing. Java is used in enterprise systems across the globe. C++ is the performance king.

But none these are the best language to learn first. They are all tools to be used when they fit the job.

The best first language to learn is thinking like an experienced Developer. Think in terms of the process that needs to happen.

If you use Pseudo Code to write out the process needed then the syntax for programming languages will become interchangeable to you.

The sooner you start thinking in process terms the faster you will grow at finding solutions.

---

The Syntax Breakdown

Let's look at examples of a Repetition Structure. Probably one of the most powerful basic structures in computer programming.

Display "Hello Internet" 3 times

As Pseudo Code

Process	Code
Initialize your starting point	Declare Integer counter = 1
Start Loop & Compare counter to your end point	While counter <= 3
Display output	Display "Hello Internet"
Update your counter after each iteration	Set counter = counter + 1
Close your Loop	End While

As Python

Process	Code
Initialize your starting point	count = 0
Start Loop & Compare counter to your end point	while count < 3:
Display output	print('Hello Internet')
Update your counter after each iteration	count = count + 1
Close your Loop	Empty - Not used in Python

As Java

Process	Code
Initialize your starting point	int count = 0;
Start Loop & Compare counter to your end point	while(count < 3){
Display output	System.out.println("Hello Internet");
Update your counter after each iteration	count++;
Close your Loop	}

As C++

Process	Code
Initialize your starting point	int count = 0;
Start Loop & Compare counter to your end point	while(count < 3){
Display output	cout << "Hello Internet" << endl;
Update your counter after each iteration	count++;
Close your Loop	}

What can we learn from studying these examples?

The Syntax that is so confusing when we first start learning code isn’t the most important part. All of these examples share the same structure of process.

The differences in syntax between print or System.out.println or cout doesn't matter as much as you knowing that you're going to write output to the console each iteration of the loop.

Look beyond that to the second to last line at count++; and count = count +1. The important part is knowing that you need to update your Loop Control Variable or you'll have an endless loop.

If we focus on the process and logic of an algorithm, we can always find the correct syntax for the language we’re working in. It’s more important that we understand our starting point, the desired output, and the processes needed between them.