“The most disastrous thing that you can ever learn is your first programming language”
— Alan Kay
Simplified Meaning:
Learning your first programming language can be tricky and set certain habits. Imagine if the way you first learn to cook is with lots of shortcuts and bad techniques. Later, when you need to cook properly, it's hard to unlearn those bad habits. Similarly, your first programming language shapes how you think about coding, often in ways that are not always good in the long run. For example, if you learn a language that makes things very simple but doesn't explain the details, you might struggle with more complex languages and concepts later. It's like learning to ride a bicycle with training wheels – it's easy at first, but it doesn't teach you balance, and removing the training wheels can be challenging. To apply this to life: try to start with a strong foundation, even if it's harder at the beginning. Choose good resources and be patient. This way, you build strong skills that help you tackle new challenges more easily. Like learning anything new, the effort you put in at the start pays off in the long run.