Something that I always tell aspiring programmers is that they should learn C first before learning Python. And I know that goes contrary to a lot of conventional wisdom.

A lot of people who are trying to learn how to program are told to learn Python first because Python can help them build some cool projects and applications. There’s nothing wrong with Python, but I always recommend C first because I think C really gives you a good foundation in software development.

This was actually my experience. I first learned C, and then when I went into the workforce I was told to code in C++, Python, Java, and JavaScript. I was able to do those things pretty well because I had a good foundation in C.

When I started looking at Python code, it was really easy to pick up and really easy to understand because I already had that background in C. I wasn’t just memorizing Python syntax. I already understood a lot of the ideas underneath it.

Other Programmers Have Noticed This Too

If you look online, you’ll see a lot of people saying the same thing.

For example, I came across a discussion where someone asked whether it’s worth learning C to better understand Python. One of the responses came from a computer science tutor who said that students who started with Python often lacked an appreciation for how the language actually does things under the hood.

One part that really stood out to me was when he said that if you spend your entire Python career blissfully unaware that everything is a pointer, you’re missing an important piece of how software actually works.

His point wasn’t that Python is bad. His point was that Python hides a lot of complexity, and learning a language like C helps you appreciate what’s actually happening behind the scenes.

I completely agree with that.

A Simple Example

Let me show you what I mean.

Suppose we have a Python function that doubles a number.

def double_number(number):
    number *= 2

my_num = 10
double_number(my_num)

print(my_num)

Even though the function doubles the value, the original variable still prints as 10.

Now compare that to a list.

def add_tax(prices):
    for i in range(len(prices)):
        prices[i] *= 1.05

original_prices = [100, 200, 300]
add_tax(original_prices)

print(original_prices)

This time the original list actually changes.

If you’re learning Python, you’re usually told that integers are immutable while lists are mutable.

That’s true, but it doesn’t really explain why.

The Explanation Makes Sense When You Know C

If you’ve learned C, you already have a mental model for what’s happening.

With a normal integer, you’re passing the value into the function. The function works with its own copy of that value, so the original variable doesn’t change.

Arrays work differently.

In C, arrays are passed using pointers. You’re really passing the address of the data rather than copying the entire array.

That means when the function modifies the array, it’s modifying the original values stored at that memory location.

That’s exactly why the changes are still there after the function finishes.

Once you’ve learned pointers in C, this behavior feels completely natural.

Why This Matters

Sometimes people ask why programming languages don’t just copy everything.

Imagine you have an array with 100 elements.

Would you really want to make a complete copy of all 100 elements every single time you call a function?

That would waste memory and make your program slower.

Instead, C simply passes the address of the array. The function can work directly with the original data without making unnecessary copies.

This isn’t just a C concept either. It’s a fundamental software engineering idea.

Python hides most of these implementation details, which is great for productivity. But if you’ve never learned what’s happening underneath, it’s easy to miss why the language behaves the way it does.

Python Is Simpler Because It Hides Complexity

When you compare the Python version to the C version, the Python code is much shorter.

You don’t have to think about pointers.

You don’t have to worry about memory addresses.

You don’t have to pass the size of an array into a function.

Python takes care of all of that for you.

That’s one of the reasons Python is such a great language for building applications quickly.

But it’s also why I think learning C first gives you such an advantage.

You understand what Python is doing for you instead of treating it like magic.

C Forces You to Think Like a Software Engineer

Another thing I really like about C is that it forces you to pay attention to data types.

You have to know whether something is an integer, a double, or another type.

You have to think about how values are stored and how they should be displayed.

Those might seem like small details, but they’re actually fundamental concepts in software development.

When you’re coding in Python, it’s easy to take those things for granted because the language handles so much automatically.

My Recommendation

This is why I always recommend learning C, even if you never plan to work professionally as a C developer.

The goal isn’t to become an embedded software engineer.

The goal is to build a strong foundation.

Once you understand concepts like memory, pointers, data types, and how values are passed into functions, learning higher level languages becomes much easier.

That was certainly my experience.

After learning C, I was able to pick up C++, Python, Java, and JavaScript much more easily because I understood the underlying concepts instead of just learning new syntax.

If you want to become a stronger software developer, I think learning C is one of the best investments you can make. It gives you the kind of foundation that makes every language you learn afterward easier to understand.