Episode 31 – Panel discussion on choosing the right programming language to learn

Episode 31 discusses all these questions and more. So, if you are new to the IT field or looking into how to get your start, listen in as Arsalan and his panel of experts consider the best beginner languages. Episode 31 experts include Fernando Paredes, David Gatti, Sara Ines Calderon, and David Silva, bringing you the best variety of expert opinions to discuss which programming languages are best suited for beginners and why.
PANELISTS
David Gatti
David Gatti began his career in IT as a Systems Administrator. He learned how to code in PHP out of boredom, and made some simple internal tools to help him while managing the company network.
He then became a blogger and wrote about mobile technologies before the iPhone came into existence and PDAs had cellular modems. He also wrote the CMS for the website itself when WordPress was first starting. Then he began working as a web developer for a company that did simple Facebook games.
After this initial experience, he imported a Windows Mobile app to Android 2.3. He later became a Brand Manager for a mobile game company and a Marketing Director for another company, and at that company – he transitioned to Developer Relations Manager and worked for two companies with this title. It was a job that he fell in love with.
But, while hunting for his next opportunity, he struggled to find the right company. Out of frustration, he created Simpe.li (simply) so he could keep doing what he does best – Development Relations Management done right.
 
David Silva
David is currently a front-end developer at Doctor on Demand, a telemedicine company in San Francisco. Originally from Colombia, he has been in love with computers and programming from an early age and has worked as a programmer for the past 8 years.
 
Sara Ines Calderon
Sara Inés Calderón is a journalist and writer who lives in Texas and California. Follow her on Twitter @SaraChicaD.
 
Fernando Paredes
 
Episode Highlights and Show Notes:
Arsalan: Today I’m bringing to you a panel discussion with some amazing developers. They are embedded developers, app developers, and web developers, both seniors, and juniors. Today were going to talk about an interesting topic that is on your mind. We are going to figure out which is the best programming language for you to attack or focus on. Or, what are the different sets of programming languages that you should focus on when you’re starting out? Even if you haven’t established yourself in a programming language and a framework and you have a chance to choose where you go. This is a very important decision and was going to see if we can tackle that.
Arsalan: In today’s panel. My guests are David Gatti, Fernando Paredes, Sara Ines Calderon, and David Silva. We’re going to go around and introduce ourselves. Let’s start with David Gatti.
David G: Hello everyone. I’m David and right now I’m a backend developer for a company called Simpe.li. I also do hardware work with Arduino and Portico. I also did a year of Java with android when it was version 2.1, which was fun.
Fernando: I work for a company called Shift Board. I am a mobile developer. I’ve been doing Swift, Android, and Objective-C for about nine years now. I’m also part of Operation Code where we try to introduce more veterans into tech.
Sara: I am Sara Ines Calderon, a journalist, blogger, and now software developer. I’ve been working for just under a year professionally. I went to a code school called Sabio in Los Angeles and I am Co-director of Women Who Code in Austin.
David S: Hi, my name is David Silva and I’m a front-end developer at a healthcare company in San Francisco. I’m also one of the cofounders of the Latinos in Tech in the Bay area.
Arsalan: The question that we have is what programming language should I choose as a new developer?

Episode source