I started the program after they made the switch from teaching in C++ to python, which was both a blessing and a curse.
While I have nothing against python, I think learning C/C++ as one’s first programming language can be valuable. C/C++ forces you to really understand what the computer is doing since you’re often manipulating and managing memory yourself. I feel that this better prepares students for many of the core fundamental classes like Computer Architecture and Operating Systems. The syntax can be a bit much at first but don’t let it discourage you!
Whereas python handles garbage collection and allocates memory dynamically. Another benefit of learning python first is that it is easier to read and a bit more intuitive when writing code. This allows you to focus less on syntax and more on the key concepts which can be especially helpfully when taking classes like Data Structures and Algorithms.
If given the choice of which programming language to learn first, I would have chosen C/C++. I would’ve appreciated having an understanding of data types, pointers, memory allocation, and garbage collection early on in the program. The class I struggled with the most in the program was Operating Systems which of course is taught in C++.
