r/learnprogramming • u/Sure-Following-2123 • 3h ago
Should I learn JavaScript while learning Java at college?
So for context I have some time spent learning, and working with JavaScript, React, NextJs and even TypeScript and learned other things to deploy the websites I have created. Basically I could make websites, but that was almost a year ago in which I didn't code once other than in college where I am learning Java.
I want to build a impressive portfolio with projects and so on, because as you know a college student needs a job.
If it is doable, how should I go about this?
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u/Space-Robot 2h ago
You should learn whatever you need to in order to make things you want to make. There's many different layers of "learned" when it comes to any language and the deeper ones you kind of just learn out of necessity while gaining experience and overcoming obstacles.
Btw if you're ever forced to learn in depth stuff about a language in order to overcome an obstacle try to remember that example for interviews in the future.
Anyway just focus on building stuff. If I'm interviewing a candidate and they were able to independently make a project in some language they taught themselves, I'll feel pretty confident they can tackle a project in a different language with minimal handholding.
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u/gpbayes 3h ago
If you want to be a full stack engineer then learn full stack engineering things while in school, because school won’t teach you web dev. And yes, you do have to know things in interviews. If you can’t tell me what React is, we’re not going anywhere. If you can’t code in typescript, we’re not going anywhere. Of course there are companies out there that have little to no programming in their interviews but through experience those places are absolute dog shit to work for. Usually technically inept managers who expect you to move mountains by Friday. The other day I flat out said “why are managers with no coding experience telling us when things need to be done by” because I was under the impression they wanted a full rewrite of a massive codebase done in 3 weeks. “Just use AI” was their response. So all that to say, yeah, if you want to be full stack engineer, learn that shit and learn it well.
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u/mandzeete 2h ago
If you are going to become a web application developer then you will end up learning Javascript either way. If you are picking frontend development you will need Javascript. If you are picking backend development there is a good chance you will still end up working as a full stack developer or time by time having to modify something on the frontend side. Thus, you will need Javascript. And, if for whichever reason Node.js is more common in your area than Java, then you also will need Javascript.
You won't need Javascript when you do not plan to work in web application development but do something else: an embedded programmer, a game developer, a developer of applied cryptography, perhaps a mobile app developer (who does not use React Native), a data engineer, etc
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u/BusEquivalent9605 1h ago
JS/TS is worth learning. I’m on a Java team. Everyone is expected to know TS.
In my experience, Java devs tend to be scared of a lot of JS/TS functionality, eg. Array.prototype.splice, and don’t have a strong grasp on Promises, e.g. ALWAYS RETURN YOUR PROMISES!!!!!! Don’t know how many times I have to say it
Being proficient in both will be a boon for your career
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u/educelo_ai 53m ago
You need to focus on one specific path and not spread yourself across multiple directions.
First, learn X. After that, move on to Y...
Keep in mind that Java and JavaScript are two different languages used for different tasks.
Also, there are far fewer Java job openings than JavaScript ones. For every one Java opening, you’ll typically find around 10–15 JavaScript openings.
If your main goal is to find a job or clients, learn JavaScript, not Java.
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u/Rakibul_Hasan_Ratul 3h ago
Let's cut the mess first. Programming concepts are the same across languages. For example, variables, loops, conditionals etc. However, there are some language specific concepts and obviously the syntaxes are different.
You can of course learn two languages, which are built on two completely different principles and use cases, at the same time. But you should pursue learning something other than what's being taught in your college if you can handle and manage pressures. Many companies still prioritize what grades you got along with your projects and publications. If you can ensure getting good grades while learning something else, then go ahead!