Programming and Syntax

BR Avery
BR Avery
Sep 7, 2018 · 2 min read

One thing I’m learning in web dev bootcamp is how important syntax is within every programming language. It’s overwhelming to learn all the various codes, expressions, and terms in one language by itself, let alone multiple languages at once. I knew going into camp that there would be differences between the languages because, well, they’re all different, but it’s only just now sinking in how similar this is to learning normal languages as well. And luckily, just as with learning normal languages, although there are differences between programming languages, there are also similarities as well. For example, in French, the verb for “to sleep” is “dormir”. Awesomely, the same verb in Spanish is also “dormir”. Two different languages, but the verb is the same. I may not know how to speak Spanish very well, but by knowing how to speak French, I can at least understand a surprising amount of Spanish.

Programming languages work in the same way. By learning how to use the <button> tag within one language, I can at least understand how to implement the same action within Rails by utilizing <%= button_to %>. Not exactly the same like “dormir” in French and Spanish, but similar enough to at least understand how the action is being used. The real trick, however, for normal and programming languages alike, is in knowing when words/commands change within context. Going back to our “to sleep” example from before, although the verb itself in both French and Spanish is “dormir”, in context, the word changes to “va te coucher” in French but remains “ve a dormir” in Spanish for “go to sleep”. It’s still the same verb but it changes within each language depending on how it’s being used. With programming, it’s easy enough to recognize that <button> and <%= button_to …%> perform the same action, but the real trick is in knowing when and where to implement the command. And for that, well… this is part of what makes programming such a challenge.

Just think of it all like learning French and Spanish. Although it’s all different, there ARE similarities and it CAN be done! With one new language learned, mastering a second and third and fourth becomes more and more doable. Don’t give up, stay persistent, and remember to “va te coucher” when your brain needs a rest.