Mentoring · Oct 2026 · 2 min read

What to learn first when you are new to software

There is too much to learn, so the order matters. Start with a goal, then the foundations that every developer uses.

Choose a direction before choosing a language. Websites, mobile apps, data and automation each have their own common languages and tools. A goal makes it much easier to decide what to learn and what to skip for now.

Learn one language well enough to build small things on your own before starting a second. Switching languages every few weeks feels like progress but usually is not.

Learn the tools every developer uses: version control with Git, the command line, and your editor's debugger. They make everything else easier, and employers expect them.

Build small, complete projects rather than following one tutorial after another. A simple project you finished and understand teaches more than ten tutorials you copied.

Practise reading error messages and documentation. Being able to find the answer yourself is the most valuable skill you can build in your first year.