To get started you need to:

  1. Pick a language
  2. Pick a coding environment
  3. Learn some of the coding fundamentals in your chosen language

Python vs C++ vs anything else

Python pros Python cons
easy to learn - great for beginners runs very slowly
very readable english-like syntax becomes less and less popular in competitive programming the better and better you get
learn it in FOC UMCPC generally uses C++
very popular language in general
C++ pros C++ cons
runs fast harder to learn
very popular for competitive programming weird looking syntax
is very similar to C, which you learn in FOA i’m sure there's more…
a lot of UMCPC content is in C++

Coding environment

It doesn’t really matter. VSCode is considered the most popular and beginner friendly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMWD7wfhgNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUAK4x_7thA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRBFWw5IOkE