According to TIOBE, the most popular programming languages are Python, C, Java, C++, and C#. Learning these in-demand programming languages will help build a career in technology. Given the trajectory, we curated a list of the best programming languages for the future.
Mastering the most popular programming languages for the future will help land you many opportunities in tech. You can become a software application developer, android developer, full stack developer, database administrator, or software quality assurance engineer. Find out more about the best programming languages to learn for the future in this guide.
What Is Programming?
Programming is the process of providing a set of instructions to machines so they will perform specific tasks. Programming languages are necessary because computers can’t understand human language. Programmers use coding languages, tools, and technologies to build computer programs. They use code editors or Integrated Development Environments (IDE) to write source code.
What Are Programming Languages?
Programming languages are a set of detailed instructions used to develop software programs or scripts. There are different types of programming languages, including high-level programming languages, mid-level programming languages, and low-level programming languages. A high-level language is closer to human syntax than a low-level language.
What Programming Languages Do Programmers Use?
Programmers use different kinds of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Java, PHP, C, C++, R, and many more. Each popular language serves a different purpose. Discover the specifics of each of these classic languages below.
Best Programming Languages to Learn for the Future
- PHP
- JavaScript
- Python
- C/C++
- R
Which Programming Language Is Best for the Future?
PHP
PHP is one of the most popular backend programming languages to learn if you want to make server-side applications. The general programming language runs on multiple platforms and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. It is also most compatible with numerous servers, including Apache and Internet Information Services (IIS). PHP also supports various databases.
Due to the flexibility of the well-loved programming language, PHP developers use it in content management systems, web frameworks, web template systems, and complex applications. Developers rely on the functional programming language to embed with HTML for web development. Complete beginners might find learning PHP easier than they expect, and it can be great for your career prospects.
JavaScript
This is an object oriented programming language developers rely on for scripting. They use the query language to increase user interactions with a web page. From client-side validation, displaying date and time, and dynamic dropdowns, JavaScript is one of the fastest-growing programming language for web and software development. JavaScript certainly has a bright future.
JavaScript has a series of features that make it a well-loved language. It is the favorite language of many developers because it is compatible with multiple web browsers and operating systems. Programmers can use JavaScript to code on Windows, Unix, and macOS. Due to its lightweight feature, the programming language is also a good choice for beginners and senior developers.
Python
This high-level language packs multiple features that make it popular with developers. One of the top features is its support of functional and structured programming. Python also features a straightforward syntax that makes it very easy to read. Beginners will have an easier time reading and debugging the code in Python. Python also supports garbage collection and is a particularly flexible language.
Due to python’s excellent library, developers use it across multiple platforms. It is compatible with Windows, Unix, and macOS. It is also highly interactive. Therefore professional developers can test and debug lines of code. Another reason Python is the perfect language to learn is its provision to commercial databases and high scalability.
C++
C++ is a general-purpose programming language. It is mainly used for developing operating systems, games, and browsers because it supports procedural, functional, and object oriented programming languages. C++ is a modern extension of the C programming language. Therefore, there are a lot of similarities between the two popular languages.
Developers use C++ to make desktop and mobile applications, servers, databases, and in video game development. Professionals prefer the object oriented language because it features a clear structure, concise code, it’s easy to learn, and it has low-level memory. The portable programming language is also excellent for developing scalable web applications for multiple platforms.
R
R is an open source programming language known for statistical analysis, machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence, and graphical representation. The powerful language has a wide range of open source built-in libraries that support its basic features. In addition, the programming language can integrate well with multiple modern programming languages.
A large community of users makes it even easier to learn R’s amazing features. Multiple resources are available to help learn how to implement R, and users can develop projects on Linux, macOS, Unix, or Windows. Learning R is a popular choice for those who want to become data scientists, data miners, or machine learning engineers.
Which Programming Language Should I Learn First?
You should learn HTML first. HTML is an entry-level programming language developers use to build the front end of an application or website. Once you learn the beginner-friendly language, you should then learn CSS, a styling language used to create the aesthetic visuals of a website or application.
Learning front end development languages will help create a proper base to learn more advanced programming languages for backend development. The next preferred language to explore is C. This native language is a root for multiple programming languages that you will need in your programming career.
Is it Possible to Choose the ‘Wrong’ Programming Language?
No, it’s not possible to choose the wrong programming language. However, you should begin by learning a coding language that is specific to your career goals. Different career opportunities require different programming languages.
How to Learn Programming
You can learn to program using different resources. The developer community is vast, so there are many ways you can practice your skills or receive guidance. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Step 1: Sign Up for an Online Coding Course
There are plenty of free coding courses online to help you familiarize yourself with coding concepts. You can rely on these coding platforms to gauge your interest in programming. They can also help you determine the best career path as a programmer.
Step 2: Read a Coding Book
Coding books are excellent at helping you learn more about the tech market. You can master different coding concepts and best practices. All of the most popular programming languages for the future will have books dedicated to helping new developers learn.
Step 3: Attend a Coding Bootcamp
A coding bootcamp provides the best platform and beginner-friendly language for newbies to cement their knowledge in coding. It offers short, immersive courses you can take advantage of to master programming. The courses have well-curated curricula that address the job market’s immediate needs.
Step 4: Build a Project
To ensure you have the right set of skills and best practices, you should work on a project. This will enable you to test and perfect your skills. Creating basic desktop applications or mobile apps is also a great way to build your portfolio.
How to Learn Programming: Top Resources
- Stack Overflow. This is an online coding community available to beginners and experts. The platform is useful in gaining answers to coding questions. Multiple developer communities can make a coding career path much easier to navigate.
- Coursera. This is an excellent platform that provides free and paid coding courses. It offers skill building with imperative programming languages, tools, technologies, and many more programs.
- General Assembly. This is one of the best coding bootcamps to help you master modern programming languages. The platform features multiple courses on the subject.
- W3Schools. This is an excellent platform to practice coding skills. You can rely on the coding tutorials to guide you in building your coding knowledge.
- LinkedIn Learning. You can sign up for the platform’s courses for a deep dive into programming. There are plenty of resources to guide you through the basics and advanced levels of programming.
Ready to Break into Tech?
Those who are to break into tech should have multiple job opportunities at their fingertips. The tech industry is versatile, and programming skills make it that much easier to navigate. According to Statista, there will be 28.7 million developers in 2024, indicating a high level of industry demand. The future of programming languages is on a big upward trajectory.
Best Programming Languages for the Future FAQ
The most useful programming language in the future is Python. Other programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, R, and PHP will also be very useful.
Yes, learning programming is worth it. There are multiple job opportunities for professionals with programming skills. There is also much freedom to navigate various careers once the basic programming languages are mastered.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer programmers earn an average annual salary of $89,190. The career has excellent pay and benefits, and your salary potential increases when you acquire more skills and learn further best practices.
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Yes, you should become a programmer. The career is flexible and rewarding. There are options to freelance or work at a firm. There are numerous job opportunities for programmers and learning the best programming languages for the future is a great way to start.
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