Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#1

Post by atestu » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 5:59 PM UTC

My brother is 13 and asked me to teach him "how to code". I really don't know what programming language would be the best to start at this age.

First I thought of C because it will also teach him how the Linux he runs was made. But… I hate C. I personnally learned programming with OCaml and Pascal. I still love OCaml (pattern matching FTW), but it didn't really teach me anything about Unix…

I'm looking for a language that would be easy to learn, with a beautiful syntax, and that would gently introduce a 13 year old to the amazing world of Unix/Linux.

Any ideas?

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#2

Post by dimm » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:04 PM UTC

Python is easy to learn. Some advice by ESR : http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html#skills1

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#3

Post by utnick » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:07 PM UTC

dimm wrote: post #2

Python is easy to learn. Some advice by ESR : http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html#skills1

and use pygame to teach him how to make games and get him excited about programming

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#4

Post by lv_ » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:21 PM UTC

ruby! he will be a rockstar by 16 and we will all thank you

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#5

Post by lv_ » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:21 PM UTC

ruby! he will be a rockstar by 16 and we will all thank you

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#6

Post by cmos » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:30 PM UTC

Call me old school, but I would start off with Basic. If he was younger I would recommend Logo. Once he's hooked I would get him into C or pascal.

I can't recommend enough getting him a "Basic Stamp" kit. Seeing how software can control hardware is magical. Then work him up into "Arduino" world in C.

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#7

Post by charlesju » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:37 PM UTC

Ruby.

It's the most human-readable language out there. I personally think that it's a lot easier to get started with the basic concepts of programming like while loops, if statements, etc. It is a lot easier to do those things when you don't have to think about including random libraries and putting everything in specifically named functions (ie. main() or static-something-or-another in JAVA) and what-not.

It's the fastest way to get started.

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#8

Post by anotherjesse » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:39 PM UTC

I would recommend Python or if the Unix/Linux component isn't as important, JavaScript.

JavaScript would allow your brother to share his creations with friends and learning the amazing (and at times frustrating world) world of the web.

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#9

Post by time_management » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:39 PM UTC

Don't teach him one programming language, because if he wants to be a hacker, he'll need exposure to many.

Ruby or Python is good for a start, because it's easy to debug and you can do simple, cool things with them pretty quickly. Then introduce him to Lisp or Scheme, and finally OCaml or Haskell so he's exposed to good static typing. Save C for later (by the time he's ready for it, he'll be picking languages rather than asking you for advice).

Re: Ask HN: What programming language should I teach my little brother?

#10

Post by maxwell » Sat, Jan 10, 2009, 6:44 PM UTC

AppJet now, C later.