Which Programming Language Did Elon Musk Learn First?
You may know Elon Musk as the innovator and founder of Tesla Motors and SpaceX, but what many don’t know is he had a very early interest in computers and programming. According to the biography, Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, Musk was introduced to computers and coding at the age of 12 in 1989. He followed his curiosity and decided to go down the path of learning programming to satisfy his interest.
The first programming language Musk learned was BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code). BASIC was designed to be an easy to use language for amateur computer programmers. It can be used to write programs for both PCs and small computers, usually referred to as microcomputers. The language is considered an essential language to learn for anyone who wants to start coding.
BASIC has gone through several generations over the years, but it still remains one of the most popular programming languages. It has been used in a variety of applications, such as for game development, animation and web design. BASIC has been around since the mid 1960s and it has seen many changes and improvements over the years. In the beginning, it was often used to play computer games, but today it can be used to create programs and applications on a variety of platforms.
After learning BASIC as a young teen, Musk continued to further his knowledge in computers, taking classes at his local college. There, he learned more advanced programming languages such as C, C++ and Java. He also studied computer architecture and mathematics. Armed with this knowledge, Musk was able to create his own software, which would be used by Zip2, the first company he founded.
Musk has also credited his interest in computers and programming to his parents. His parents encouraged him to explore technology on his own and to take classes that would help him further his knowledge. While his parents were not computer scientists, they were keen to foster Musk’s interests, and allowed him access to the family computer.
By the late 1990s, Musk had become a skilled computer programmer and had numerous successful tech-related ventures. It all began with learning BASIC as a young teen, which he credits as his initial step in the world of programming. Musk’s success story shows that coding can become a very lucrative and rewarding career, and that it all starts with learning the basics.
BASIC: Welcome to the World of Programming
BASIC, or Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, is recommended by experts to those who are new to coding. It is one of the easiest programming languages to learn and can be used to write software for both PCs and small computers. The language was first developed in the mid-1960s and can still be used to create programs and applications on a variety of platforms today.
BASIC is different from other programming languages due to its simplicity and beginner-friendly interface. It is also used for a variety of applications, such as for game development, animation, and web design. As a result, BASIC can serve as a stepping stone for those who want to enter the world of coding but don’t know where to start.
The language is considered a must-know for those who want to understand the fundamentals of coding. Although it has seen its fair share of changes and improvements over the years, BASIC is still one of the most popular languages today. Its wide range of applications make it a must-know language, even if it is not the only language that should be known.
Advantages and Disadvantages of BASIC
Despite its popularity, BASIC isn’t without its disadvantages. Its main disadvantage is its narrowness in scope when compared to more up-to-date and versatile languages like C and C++. BASIC isn’t quite as modern and is not used in most major software projects.
However, there are still certain advantages to using BASIC. For starters, the language is probably the most user-friendly of all. Its simplicity makes it easy to learn, and you don’t have to be a professional programmer to understand it. As such, it’s a great way for someone who’s a coding novice to start out in the world of software programming.
In addition, the language is often used to write programs for microcomputers. For example, it can be used to control robotics, Arduino hardware and other microcontroller platforms. This is because the language has the ability to bridge the gap between hardware and software.
Finally, the language is seen as the precursor to many other languages like C, Java and Python. Many experts have seen it as the perfect language to help others understand coding, as it is the basis of several aspects of more advanced language. Elon Musk himself is credited with learning BASIC first and using it as a stepping-stone for success.
Elon Musk’s Early Interest in Computers
At the age of 12, Elon Musk was introduced to computers and coding. His parents often encouraged him to explore technology and research topics of his interest. They always gave him access to the family computer, allowing him to further his knowledge in coding. His parents’ support is what allowed Musk to take his interest in computers and coding to the next level.
Musk followed his curiosity by taking classes in programming at his local college. He learned more advanced languages like C, C++ and Java, and even studied computer architecture and mathematics. Musk used his newfound skills to develop his own software and eventually build his own companies. He credits his success to his early experience and knowledge of coding.
Musk has set an example for many by showing that coding can be a lucrative and rewarding career. His success story began with learning BASIC and taking the initiative to develop his knowledge in the world of programming. So, the next time you take the basics of coding for granted, remember that the next Elon Musk could be furthering their career with the same language.
The Transition to More Advanced Languages
After learning BASIC, Musk took his knowledge to the next level by studying more advanced languages like C, C++ and Java. He also studied computer architecture and mathematics. These courses thus gave him the foundation to understand more complex concepts related to computers and coding.
C is known as a low-level language, allowing programmers to read and write to physical memory and interact with hardware. It is also useful for system programming and has been used to develop several operating systems and software applications. The language is often used as the starting point for learning more advanced languages.
C++ is an object-oriented language, allowing the programmer to create objects and classes. It is used widely in game development and has been used to develop games like Half-Life, Quake, and Far Cry. C++ is considered to be one of the most powerful languages, and a must-know for experienced programmers.
Finally, Java is an interpreted language, which means that the code is executed by an interpreter instead of a compiler. This allows for quick and easy debugging of code. Java is also one of the most popular languages and is used widely in web and mobile development. It is often used as the first language for those interested in learning coding.
Conclusion
Elon Musk had an early interest in computers and coding, which he eventually leveraged to create his own companies. He credits BASIC, or Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, as the language that sparked his early interest. BASIC is considered one of the most user-friendly languages and can serve as the starting point for those who want to learn coding.
After learning BASIC, Musk learned more advanced languages like C, C++ and Java. These languages, along with his knowledge of computer architecture and mathematics, gave him the foundation he needed to understand complex concepts related to computers and coding. As a result, he became a skilled programmer and was able to create his own software.
Thus, Musk’s success story shows the potential of coding and how it can be a great career. It all starts with learning the basics and then taking the initiative to further your knowledge. In other words, never underestimate the potential of BASIC language and its place in the world of programming.
