Python or Java?

Python and Java are two of the most popular programming languages, but which one should your student start with?

The Python language is currently the most popular programming language, in part because it is the core language for data science, scientific computing and AI. It is also one of the easiest languages to learn, with a clean, simple, humane syntax.  Java is also an important language for enterprise software and it is the language used in AP Computer Science A, and Java is also commonly used in FIRST robotics.

Students will learn the fundamentals with either language, but we recommend younger students  start with Python, which is an easier language to learn, and take Java after completing the first year or two of Python instruction. Students who may want to take the Java track include:

• Students on FIRST robotics teams.
• Students who want to take AP Computer Science A independently.
• Students looking for a new challenge.
• High School Juniors and Seniors who want to get a head start on college Computer Science classes.

With either course, your student will learn the most important fundamental skills in programming, and professional programmers will learn many languages in their career, so don’t fret! It’s easy to switch and apply the skills you’ve learned in one language to another.