Programming in 2025: Skip the Hype and Learn C
It’s 2025, and the tech world still tells beginners the same old story: “Python’s easy!” “JavaScript rules the web!” “Ruby makes you happy!” Sure, those languages have their place. But if you want to truly understand programming, start with C.
I’ve worked with everything—Assembly (68k, x86, ARM), Basic, Bash, Perl, Pascal, C, C++, Objective-C, C#, Java, PHP, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Ruby, Go, Swift, Rust—the list goes on. And if I could go back? I’d start with C. Not because it’s trendy, but because it builds the strongest foundation.
Why C? Because It Teaches You How Computers Work
Modern high-level languages hide complexity behind abstractions. That’s useful—but it also means many developers don’t truly understand what’s happening under the hood. They learn what works, but not why it works.
C strips away the magic. It teaches you memory management, pointers, and how the machine actually runs your code. Master it, and every language you learn afterward will make more sense.
Think of C like learning math before using a calculator. Sure, tools like Python make things easier, but if you don’t grasp the fundamentals, you’ll always be guessing.
“But C is Hard!”
Yes, C has a learning curve. But that’s a good thing. Struggling through segmentation faults and pointer arithmetic forces you to think like a real programmer. You don’t just copy and paste solutions—you solve problems at their core.
There’s a reason Harvard’s CS50, one of the best introductory programming courses, starts with C. It gives students the deepest possible understanding before introducing higher-level concepts.
C First, Then Everything Else
I’m not saying you should write every project in C. But if you learn C first, moving to Python, JavaScript, or Go becomes effortless. Abstractions won’t confuse you—you’ll see them for what they are: shortcuts.
That’s why companies still need C programmers. When performance, efficiency, or deep system understanding matter, C is still king.
Where to Start?
- Take Harvard’s CS50—it’s free and world-class.
- Looking for a great C book? Here’s one I recommend. (Affiliate link—this helps support our work at no extra cost to you.)
- Start small: write a program, manage memory, break things, and learn why they break.
Learning C isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about mastering the craft. So skip the hype, build a real foundation, and become the kind of programmer who understands how things work, not just how to use them.