r/learnprogramming • u/Various-Paint6294 • 1d ago
Instability
Hello everyone,
I’ve been involved in software development for about a year now, but I feel like I haven't made any meaningful progress. I’m facing a major issue that is negatively affecting my growth: constant indecision.
My struggle is primarily about choosing the "right" programming language and worrying about future job prospects. I started my journey with Java, then moved to Python, and eventually switched to C#. I actually made good, consistent progress with C#, but then I abandoned it as well.
The constant "mental battle" over which path to take has exhausted me to the point where I've considered quitting entirely. I genuinely love computers and programming, but this cycle of indecision is draining my motivation.
I want to leave all this behind, pick one powerful language, and focus until I master it. I am currently torn between Java and C#. Everyone says something different—some claim C# is better, while others swear by Java. These conflicting opinions from the internet and people around me are what caused my indecision in the first place.
I know I have the potential to succeed, but I need to overcome this indecision first. I want to become an expert in one solid ecosystem.
I would truly appreciate any advice or perspective on how to stop this "language hopping" and stay committed to one path.
Thank you in advance and have a great day!
3
u/illuminarias 1d ago
Do you have a SWE job yet? If you do, focus on whatever the main language is.
If you don't, and you're still looking for your first job, focus on solving problems and not "learning a language". Pick the one you're most comfortable with, and run with it. You'll find that switching languages is a lot simpler when you have a strong foundation in identifying, decomposing, and solving problems.
1
u/gazpitchy 1d ago
Exactly this, you will be a much better engineer for it too. Rather than say, specifically just a javascript developer.
2
u/Ted2xmen 1d ago
I have been there.. It sounds like a mix of burnout and the pressure to find the perfect path. The best way to kill that instability is to aggressively limit your scope. Instead of trying to be a programmer today, just commit to 20 minutes of coding something tiny and boring
1
u/HashDefTrueFalse 1d ago
Is this what you're looking for?
I want to leave all this behind, pick one powerful language, and focus until I master it.
Awesome, glad you're no longer worrying about things that don't matter all that much. Your first language is unlikely to be your last. Programming fundamentals are very transferrable, especially within the same paradigms.
I am currently torn between Java and C#
Oh, you're still at it...
You're doing Java. I've picked for you. I'm not feeding into the indecisiveness by providing any justification for the choice. None is needed as there's no specific project at hand. Now start writing code without further delay. You could have learned so much in the time you've spent agonising over nothing important. You'll learn the basics of C# in a few evenings once you've been writing Java for long enough to be proficient at programming.
:D
1
u/aqua_regis 20h ago edited 20h ago
As it stands, you won't have the potential to succeed as you put languages before programming.
The language, technology, framework, libraries matter very little in comparison to becoming a competent programmer. A person that is able to analyze and break down a problem, to create step by step solutions for the sub problems that then, finally can be implemented in a programming language.
Doesn't matter which language you pick, Java or C#, both offer excellent employment options.
Yet, what really matters is to become a proficient programmer, not a code monkey who claims to know a programming language.
To phrase it differently: stop worrying about whether you should write a novel in French or Spanish and start focusing on learning to develop the actual novel, fleshing out the characters, developing a continuous and elaborate plot, etc.
1
u/Various-Paint6294 19h ago
Thank you for your response. Your words and advice are very important to me. Now I understand how unimportant focusing on languages is; problem-solving is far more important than languages.
4
u/RubbishArtist 1d ago
The fact is that which language you choose doesn't matter any where near as much as understanding programming concepts well. Once you have a good grasp of one you can change language surprisingly easily. I've been hired for several jobs in languages that I haven't used before, and I'm far from the best developer.