u/Intelligent_Role_824

I’m a complete beginner trying to decide between Python and JavaScript as my first programming language.

I’m mainly interested in backend development, APIs, servers, networking and databases. I also like the idea of building small things from scratch later on, like a simple HTTP server, chat server or tiny database, just to understand how they work.

Python appeals to me because of its simplicity, large ecosystem and versatility outside of web development.

JavaScript appeals to me because Node.js seems interesting for backend and asynchronous/network programming, and it would also give me the option to build frontend applications later using the same language.

I’m not choosing based on jobs, this is mainly a hobby and I want to learn programming properly.

Which would you recommend starting with: Python or JavaScript, and why?

(Original Post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/elixir/s/BEkOT4EbGo)

After my previous post about Elixir as a first programming language, I’ve decided to give it a try.

Since I’m starting pretty much from zero, I’m now wondering how I should go from learning the language to actually building something.

My main interest is backend development. I’d eventually like to build APIs and, later on, something like a small chat backend.

How much Elixir should I know before I start working on real projects? Would you recommend going through a book or course first, or learning the basics and then starting small projects as soon as possible?

I’m also curious about Phoenix. Would you consider it a good first web framework for someone who is learning web development and programming at the same time? Or does Phoenix make more sense once you already understand how web applications work?

I don’t want to jump into a framework too early and end up just copying code without understanding what’s happening. But I also don’t want to spend months learning things in isolation that would make more sense if I encountered them while building something.

If you were starting from zero with APIs and eventually a chat backend as your goal, what would you learn and build along the way?

I’m especially interested in small project ideas that would help me gradually get there rather than jumping straight into the final project.

Does Ruby with Sinatra/Rails still offer something unique for someone learning web development in 2026?

I’ve been comparing different backend ecosystems recently, and Ruby with Sinatra/Rails keeps standing out to me for reasons that aren’t really about popularity or the job market.

I’m learning purely as a hobby, and I’m particularly interested in backend development: APIs, databases, authentication, testing, and eventually things like a small chat backend.

Something I’ve noticed is that people who have worked with several backend frameworks often speak very highly of what Rails teaches you about building web applications. conventions, REST, MVC, database-backed applications, and especially testing. RSpec and the testing culture around Ruby are also quite appealing to me, since I’d like testing to be part of how I learn development rather than something I bolt on later.

At the same time, Ruby doesn’t seem to come up nearly as often anymore when people discuss modern web development. The conversation is usually dominated by JS/TS, Python, Go, PHP/Laravel, etc.

So I’m less interested in “Should I learn Ruby?” and more curious about how experienced web developers view Ruby/Rails today:

**Does Ruby/Rails still have qualities that make it particularly good for learning how to build well-structured web applications, or have other ecosystems essentially caught up with what made Rails special?**

For comparison, I’ve also been looking at Elixir/Phoenix. Elixir especially interests me because it represents a very different approach to backend development.

I’d be interested in hearing from people who have used Rails *and* other modern backend stacks. What, if anything, do you think Rails teaches particularly well? And what parts of the Rails approach would you *not* want a new developer to internalize?

Hi everyone,

I’m a complete beginner looking to learn programming purely as a hobby. I’m mainly interested in backend development, building APIs, working with databases, and eventually projects like the backend for a small chat application.
I’ve been looking at a few languages, and PHP is one of the options I’m seriously considering, probably followed by Laravel once I understand the language itself.

I’m not concerned about the job market. What matters more to me is learning programming and backend development properly rather than just getting something working as quickly as possible.

I’m also considering Ruby/Rails and Elixir/Phoenix. Elixir in particular interests me because of functional programming and the BEAM

If you were starting from zero today with backend development as a hobby, would you consider PHP a good first choice?

Hi everyone,

I’m interested in learning programming purely as a hobby, and Elixir has caught my attention. I’m basically starting from zero, so it would be my first real programming language.
The kinds of projects I’d eventually like to build are mostly backend related. Things like REST APIs, a backend for a small chat app, real-time features, and similar projects. I’m particularly interested in learning how these things actually work rather than just getting something running as quickly as possible.
Elixir seems really interesting to me because of the BEAM, concurrency, fault tolerance, and functional programming.

Would you recommend Elixir as a first language for someone with those interests?

I’m also curious about the ecosystem. Is it mature enough that you can comfortably build these kinds of projects without constantly wishing you were using a larger ecosystem like Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, or Go?

And how do you see Elixir in 2026? Is the language and ecosystem still actively growing and evolving, or has it settled into a relatively small niche?

Since I’m doing this purely for fun, I don’t care about the job market. I’m more interested in whether Elixir is enjoyable to learn, teaches useful programming concepts, and is a language I can keep exploring for years.
If you were starting from zero with similar interests today, would you choose Elixir?

Thanks!

Hey everyone!
I have zero programming experience and I’m looking to pick up coding as a hobby. My main goal right now is to understand how the web works under the hood, specifically building and consuming APIs (like fetching data from public APIs and working with JSON).
I’ve been reading a lot about Ruby (and Rails) recently, and its syntax looks very clean and human-readable. But I have a few honest questions before I dive in:

Is Ruby beginner-friendly for total newbies?
Can I actually grasp core concepts like HTTP requests, REST APIs, and database connections using Ruby without getting overwhelmed?

How is the Ruby ecosystem doing?
Is it still active and well-maintained for beginners? Or is it mostly supported by legacy systems?

Ruby vs. Python for a hobbyist:
Is Python just the objectively better choice because of its massive popularity, or does Ruby offer a smoother/more enjoyable learning experience for web-related stuff?

My long-term goal is just to enjoy building cool side projects, but I want a solid, fun starting point.
Would love to hear your thoughts, especially from anyone who started learning with Ruby recently! Thanks!

I'm not looking to get a job or change careers with this! Programming is purely a hobby for me. I just want to build cool personal projects in my free time and have fun along the way.

Hey everyone!
I have zero programming experience and I’m looking to pick up coding as a hobby. My main goal right now is to understand how the web works under the hood, specifically building and consuming APIs (like fetching data from public APIs and working with JSON).
I’ve been reading a lot about Ruby (and Rails) recently, and its syntax looks very clean and human-readable. But I have a few honest questions before I dive in:

Is Ruby beginner-friendly for total newbies?
Can I actually grasp core concepts like HTTP requests, REST APIs, and database connections using Ruby without getting overwhelmed?

How is the Ruby ecosystem doing?
Is it still active and well-maintained for beginners? Or is it mostly supported by legacy systems?

Ruby vs. Python for a hobbyist:
Is Python just the objectively better choice because of its massive popularity, or does Ruby offer a smoother/more enjoyable learning experience for web-related stuff?

My long-term goal is just to enjoy building cool side projects, but I want a solid, fun starting point.
Would love to hear your thoughts, especially from anyone who started learning with Ruby recently! Thanks!

Edit: I'm not looking to get a job or change careers with this! Programming is purely a hobby for me. I just want to build cool personal projects in my free time and have fun along the way.

Hey everyone,
I'm looking to learn programming purely as a hobby (definitely not looking for a career change). I've tried out a bunch of different languages, including Python, which honestly didn't really click for me, but the two that I found super cool and really enjoyed are Ruby and Rust.
I'm well aware of how completely different they are. One is high-level and expressive, the other is system-level and super performant. Even with those differences, I'm equally interested in both and can't decide where to start.
Long term, I'd love to build a mix of side projects just for fun, like:

A simple Web App / REST API

A real-time chat application

Maybe some Desktop Apps down the road

Since my main goal is just to have fun, learn, and build cool stuff, which one would you recommend starting with?
Appreciate any thoughts or advice!