My First Code Resulted in Some Information on Programming Languages.

   

  My love for computers and technology has transcended another barrier I did not think I could or would cross. While taking my Intro to IT course, I was tasked with creating a program with block code on Scratch's website. I was also tasked with looking deeper into higher-level programming languages to understand their place in technology and their critical use differences. I will link the program at the end of my analysis.

My Code Experience

Building my program through Scratch was intimidating and scary as I had never made anything with code. Although I came to understand the simplicity of the block codes Scratch utilizes, my first exposure caused me quite a bit of anxiety. After immersing myself in the program, I quickly picked up the functionality of all the blocks. After being exposed to the block code, the most challenging thing I faced was timing all the moving and talking mechanisms within the code. I overcame these obstacles by handling one problem at a time, to get one bug out at a time. While working with Scratch, I understood how a small detail can derail a code and how satisfying it is to "debug" the program. My experience while programming in Scratch and participating in the activities within the course textbook was wildly different. Scratch, obviously designed with a beginner-friendly environment, allowed the user to make simple programs relatively easy

. In contrast, the textbook took a more intermediate hands-on approach. I failed the participation activities a few times by not correctly using quotations or spaces. I understand these mistakes would cause errors or failure in codes and were correlated to the participation activities, which made me comprehend the severity of my mistakes. 

           Once I had finalized my program, I started to research the high-level programming languages that exist and understood that there is a lot of overlap between the codes. Many programmers start with the most accessible language they know or understand and move on or sometimes deep dive and become experts in one. While each program has a specialty, the language used for and identified as working the best for programming is an ever-evolving field as our technology needs and landscape shift. 

PYTHON

The difference in programming languages stems from their specially designed uses. The following information is gathered from multiple sources. Python is discussed the most in chapters 2.8-2.11 in Computing Technology for All (Vahid et al., 2019). While searching for comparisons, I found the following information: "Python has many applications. It is also good for general use, such as web applications, and has many areas of specialization. A good example of the latter is artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning" (Future Learn para. 21, 2021). With the information regarding AI and the hyper attention it was receiving, I decided to double-check that fact. I found another website claiming the same: "Python is widely used in modern technologies, like artificial intelligence and machine learning." (Ravikiran, S., Simplilearn, 2023). I have not personally used Java or a variation of the C languages. However, I determined that if I could find information on Python, I should at least discuss the other two prominent languages. So far, I have only dabbled in Python and see it as the first step to programming and writing code. I have come to this conclusion due to its simplicity in architecture thus far. Per Kareliya, A. (2023), a recent Google search trend analysis found Python to be the most popular programming language. (para. 7), I think by popularity standards, Python would take the cake. Python is the base model for AI building, and its simplicity for beginning programmers makes Python the most popular.

JAVA

 "The 'write once, run anywhere' concept at the heart of Java means it has many different uses. However, some main uses include business software, web applications, and mobile apps. Google's Android OS, for example, uses Java as its native language" (Future Learn, 2021). 

"Java is a high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language for developing web applications." (Kareliya, Radix, 2023).

I now understand Java as a business-oriented plug-and-play software used in any tech-based conversation. A basic understanding of HTML language will help you recognize the extensive use of Java by Google and Android originating from cell phones' massive involvement in advancing the internet.

 "C" Languages 

"C is a versatile language that has uses in many different areas. It's mainly used for creating system applications, meaning that operating systems such as Windows and Linux use a lot of C programming" (Future Learn, 2021). 

Coming from the Networking side of IT, I have been exposed to this language and had not realized it was C programming. Routers have a similar OS to the networking portions of computers that run from C. This is further reinforced by the following:

 "C++ is a portable language, which means you can use the same piece of code in different environments" (Ravikiran & Simplilearn, 2023). 

My program in Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1030629928