JavaScript as a Strategy

let MachineLearning = new ReinforcementLearner()

This afternoon, I stumbled upon Jeff Atwood’s “Principle of Least Power”, and it occurred to me that perhaps some of the machine learning strategies I have been helping clients with could be implemented in javascript.

Why Javascript?Permalink

The short answer is popularity, and the long answer is flexibility, speed, and short learning curve (I guess it is not so long). Which leads me to the idea that

Javascript is a StrategyPermalink

In the near future, coding will be a requisite skill for employees. But choosing a first programming language can be tough, in that understanding a programming languages strength and weaknesses are typically topics for more seasoned programmers. Therefore, I recommend you find a project that interests you, and the learn the language that people working on those projects are learning. For example:

• Interested in the web or building something visual? Javascript is a great first choice.
• Interested in data analysis? Maybe try Python, then SQL, then R. Python, being designed for ease of learning, makes for a great first language.
• Interested in high-performance computing or computer architecture? Try C++.
• Interested in distributed computing? Try Elixir
• Interested in symbolic computation or the study of computer languages themselves? Try LISP or Scheme

and so on…

But, then why do I say Javascript is a strategy if you can do so much with so many different languages? It turns out that everything but writing code is a hassle. Installing, configuring, and getting packages for different languages tends to suck up time. But, good news, you are most likely set up to code with javascript already

Happy coding.

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