1741195046

Why is learning Python a mistake for beginners?


Learning Python as a first programming language might seem like a great choice—it’s simple, has a clean syntax, and is widely used. However, there’s an argument to be made that starting with Python can actually **hold beginners back** in the long run. ### <br>**The Hidden Pitfalls of Python for Beginners** Python’s readability and high-level nature make it easy to pick up, but that ease can be deceptive. Many beginners who start with Python struggle when transitioning to other languages because **Python abstracts away too much of what’s happening under the hood**. Memory management, pointers, and even strict type enforcement—concepts that are crucial in languages like C, C++, or Java—are barely touched in Python. For example, in Python, you can simply declare a variable without worrying about types: ```python x = "Hello, world!" y = 42 ``` Compare that to **C**, where you need to explicitly define types: ```c #include <stdio.h> int main() { char message[] = "Hello, world!"; int number = 42; printf("%s %d", message, number); return 0; } ``` By skipping these low-level details, **Python makes programming feel easier**—but that illusion can lead to problems later when a beginner tries to learn languages that don’t handle things for them. ### <br>**The "Lazy Programmer" Syndrome** Because Python lets you get away with **bad habits**, many beginners never learn the fundamentals of structured programming, debugging, or performance optimization. Error messages are forgiving, memory management is handled for you, and you don’t have to think about compiling or strict syntax rules. This makes Python a great tool for quick prototyping but a poor teacher of discipline. ### <br>**Struggles with Real-World Performance** Python is **slow compared to compiled languages** like C++ or Rust. It doesn’t teach beginners how to optimize code properly because Python’s built-in functions already do most of the heavy lifting. This leads to **inefficiency when working on large-scale applications** or systems that require real-time performance, like game engines or embedded systems. Consider sorting a list in Python: ```python numbers = [5, 2, 9, 1, 5, 6] sorted_numbers = sorted(numbers) ``` This is simple—but in C, you’d have to **understand memory allocation and sorting algorithms** instead of relying on a built-in function: ```c #include <stdio.h> void bubbleSort(int arr[], int n) { for (int i = 0; i < n-1; i++) { for (int j = 0; j < n-i-1; j++) { if (arr[j] > arr[j+1]) { int temp = arr[j]; arr[j] = arr[j+1]; arr[j+1] = temp; } } } } int main() { int numbers[] = {5, 2, 9, 1, 5, 6}; int n = sizeof(numbers) / sizeof(numbers[0]); bubbleSort(numbers, n); for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) { printf("%d ", numbers[i]); } return 0; } ``` With Python, you **don’t learn algorithms—you just use them**. That can create a gap in understanding when performance optimization becomes critical. ### <br>**Transitioning to Other Languages Becomes Harder** Once a programmer gets comfortable with Python’s **dynamic typing, garbage collection, and indentation-based structure**, switching to a stricter language like Java or C++ can be frustrating. Concepts like **manual memory allocation, explicit type declarations, and semicolons** suddenly feel foreign and unnecessary, making the transition harder than if they had started with a stricter language first. ### <br>**When Python *Is* a Good First Language** Of course, Python is still a fantastic tool, especially for data science, web development, and automation. If a beginner is interested in **quick results rather than deep understanding**, Python can be a great way to start. But if someone wants to build a **strong programming foundation**, languages like **C, C++, or even JavaScript** might be a better starting point. ### <br>**Final Thoughts** Python makes programming easy—but sometimes, **too easy**. Beginners who want a real understanding of how computers work and how programming languages operate **under the hood** may be better off starting with a more structured language. Otherwise, they risk learning bad habits, struggling with performance-heavy applications, and finding it difficult to transition to more complex languages later.

(9) Comments
bgawk0
bgawk0
1742660666

As someone who dabbled in Python as a first language, I fully agree. I found that after learning and developing basic programs on Python, developing and learning new skills became SIGNIFICANTLY more difficult-- like, the learning curve was super steep. As you mentioned, this mainly boils down to the amount of abstraction Python and other higher-level languages have. When I finally studied C, it was genuinely such a hellish experience, but I've come to appreciate that struggle for the sole reason that it's so incredibly easy to pick up any other similar language. THOUGH, I will have to disagree when you say Python is "too easy". It is a simpler language, yes, but we must consider how overwhelming learning programming can be. Python is a great experience for those trying to improve their logic, algorithms, and just... how they think-- and should still be one of the first few languages you learn.

amargo85
amargo85
1742662905

the point of this post is to ‘wake up’ those who want to learn python as their first language and the difficulties they may face during their professional careers.


fschmidt
fschmidt
1741296379

I disagree. There is no such thing as too easy. Everything should be as easy as possible. Starting with C gets one bogged down in details. Programmers should focus on good clean simple design. Most programmers will never need C or even Java. A high-level language like Python or Luan is enough for most programmers. I say this as someone who has programmed in machine language, putting in hex codes into computers under development. If someone wants to be an expert then they basically have to learn everything related to programming, but almost no one really needs to do this.

amargo85
amargo85
1741327876

the problem is the simplicity of the python language. this doesn't help when you have to get involved with/learn more complex languages.


Davidm8624
Davidm8624
1741197936

id say its a good idea for everyone to learn somethings thats non-oop and close to the hardware so they kinda have an idea about what is really happening under the hood. However, oop is superior so once they get a taste of it and understand the inerworkings, i think that its ok if they transition into something modern and never touch C/asm ever again.

amargo85
amargo85
1741198308

yes yes. But it seems that object-oriented programming is dead too

Davidm8624
Davidm8624
1741198422

huh?! i know im a few years behind (ruby dev and whatnot) but when did this occur? nah, impossible. python still top language of 2024 i thoguht... or did rust take it?

amargo85
amargo85
1741198569

the hype is no longer about this programming paradigm. So it's dead for me

Davidm8624
Davidm8624
1741198706

[https://www.statista.com/statistics/793628/worldwide-developer-survey-most-used-languages/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/793628/worldwide-developer-survey-most-used-languages/)


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