Programming languages are the formal ways programmers give computers instructions to generate the results they want. As technology changes quickly, new programming languages keep emerging while existing ones update to meet the shifting needs.
Knowing the programming languages that are widely used by many companies can maximize your opportunities as a developer. The best languages to learn are the ones used a lot across industries. They usually have abundant learning materials, supportive communities, and many real-world uses.
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| The logos of the 10 most popular and in-demand programming languages recommended to learn in 2024, including both backend and frontend languages across web, mobile, game development, data science, and other domains. Python takes the lead as the top versatile language useful for roles ranging from cloud computing to AI. |
1. Python
Number 1 is Python. Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language focused on readable code using clear and concise syntax. Key features include automatic memory management, huge standard libraries, and support for various programming approaches including object-oriented programming.
Pros of Python:
Easy to learn and use, flexible across many uses, scalable for large projects, lots of useful libraries and frameworks, growing popularity, and helpful community.
Cons of Python:
Being dynamically typed can lead to errors popping up while running code, and can run slower than statically typed languages for some projects.
Best uses of Python:
Web and cloud development, data analysis, AI/machine learning apps, test automation, and general rapid building of applications. Used by big organizations like NASA, Netflix, Google, Instagram and more. Read more about Python here.
2. JavaScript
Number 2 is JavaScript. JavaScript is a lightweight, object-oriented scripting language mainly used to make web pages interactive on the user side. Key abilities include manipulating the DOM, async requests, functional programming, and working across different browsers.
Pros:
Already integrated into all major web browsers, with beginner-friendly syntax, and a huge ecosystem of npm JavaScript packages to import code, great for modern web development.
Cons:
Potential browser compatibility issues on some projects, basic security management requires extra effort, and can run slower than other languages for very complex applications.
Best uses:
Frontend web development, mobile apps, web servers, games, IoT smart devices. Used in 95% of all websites for interactivity and user experience. Read more about JavaScript here.
3. Java
Number 3 is Java. Java is a statically typed, general-purpose language focused on portability and optimized for object-oriented code. Key features include good security, high-performance speed, lots of libraries, and automatic memory management.
Pros:
Well-established community support works across different platforms, optimized to efficiently scale apps and run fast.
Cons:
Wordy strict syntax is not the most beginner-friendly and lacks efficiency of code size.
Best uses:
Android apps, backend web services, big data processing, scientific computing, and more. Used by many financial companies, governments, and businesses globally. Read more about Java here.
4. C#
Number 4 is C#. C# is an object-oriented language derived from C and C++ known for quickly building apps across devices and platforms. Main capabilities include tight integration in Microsoft’s .NET ecosystem, strong memory safety features, uses OOP code principles.
Pros:
Easily integrates with other .NET Microsoft tools and languages, concise productive syntax, and built-in garbage collector memory management.
Cons:
Tied closely to Microsoft frameworks and tools unlike open source options, smaller open source ecosystem than Java or Python.
Best uses:
Windows desktop and mobile apps, backend server code on Azure cloud, game programming, VR apps made with Unity game engine. Used for high-end games and in Microsoft’s own Visual Studio code editor. Read more about C# here.
5. C++
Number 5 is C++. C++ is a high-performance compiler language derived from C focused on speed, precision, and efficiency. Key features are very low-level control, deterministic automatic garbage cleaning functionality, and direct manipulation of computer hardware.
Pros:
Extremely fast high-performance, efficient lean code, allows controlling low-level details directly.
Cons:
Complex syntax with a steep learning curve lacks automatic counting of object references so manual memory management is required.
Best uses:
Operating systems, databases, AAA video games, high-performance computing like physics simulations, hardware drivers, and embedded firmware code. Used universally and everywhere. Read more about C++ here.
6. Go (or Golang)
Number 6 is Go. Go (or Golang) is an open-source language focused on simplicity, speed, reliability, and efficiency. Key strengths include scalable parallel handling of tasks, fast compilation speeds, statically typed syntax, and built-in testing capabilities.
Pros:
Compiles and runs programs very quickly, built-in concurrency features, rising popularity.
Cons:
Lacks support for general code like older languages, and a smaller standard library compared to languages like Java.
Best uses:
Network programming, distributed and cloud-based systems, web servers, and microservices. Used by Twitch, Dropbox, Google’s own infrastructure, and Cloudflare.
7. Ruby
Number 7 is Ruby. Ruby is an open-source, dynamic, and interpreted scripting language with an elegant expressive syntax focused on developer happiness and productivity. Ruby’s characteristics include dynamic typing as you go, good exception error handling, and a massive ecosystem of code libraries and frameworks to reuse.
Pros:
Aesthetically clean and expressive syntax focused on developer experience, a huge selection of reusable Ruby gems extensions, a huge array of learning materials, and tutorials.
Cons:
As an interpreted language can be slower than compiled lower-level languages, struggles to handle parallel handling of complex tasks.
Best Uses:
Ideal for startups and quickly building proof-of-concept prototypes before investing in deep engineering, also used for web back ends and the popular Ruby on Rails web framework. Used by Basecamp, Airbnb, Bloomberg media, and more industry leaders. Read more about Ruby here.
8. Swift
Number 8 is Swift. Swift is a general-purpose, open source, and interactive programming language originally created by Apple focused on safety, speed and clearly expressing coding concepts. Notable features include inferred static types as you code, powerful built-in versioning of code history, and memory safety guarantees.
Pros:
Fast execution times even for complex tasks, beginner-friendly clean syntax, and seamless integration with all of Apple’s own ecosystems.
Cons:
Tied closely to Apple devices and services for some exclusive features, documentation can sometimes lag behind the latest Swift changes and updates.
Best Uses:
Building apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV platforms. Used extensively in Apple’s own APIs, SDKs, and Xcode development environment.
9. R
Number 9 is R. R is an open-source programming language tailored specifically for heavy-duty statistical number-crunching and graphical visualization of data analysis. Core features include matrix math support, a vast array of data visualization libraries, readable code, and over 19,000 optional R packages to import for more advanced analytics.
Pros:
Specialized in complex math, science, and statistics applications, with fantastic built-in graphing capabilities for exploring data visually.
Cons:
Very steep learning curve, and fragmented community documentation streams.
Best uses:
Statistical predictive modeling, machine learning model training, data mining, econometrics research, data journalism insights, building interactive graphs, and custom data visualizations. Used heavily by top tech companies and universities pushing scientific computing boundaries.
10. Kotlin
And finally, number 10 is Kotlin. Kotlin is a statically typed programming language focused on concision, type safety, and seamless interoperability with existing code. Hallmark Kotlin features include null pointer safety, functional coding options, compile-time optimizations, and 100% backward compatibility with all Java codebases.
Pros:
Far more concise and productive syntax than Java or C++, fully interoperable for leveraging existing legacy Java systems yet safer.
Cons:
Still an emerging niche language with a smaller ecosystem than programming mainstays, mostly Android-development focused currently.
Best Uses:
Android mobile app development replaced Java usage, server-side application development, and opportunities to gradually introduce into legacy Java codebases without breaking changes. Used by Pinterest, Netflix, Coursera, and other tech innovators. Read more about Kotlin here.
Conclusion
So in summary, these represent the most versatile, in-demand, and future-facing programming languages to learn heading into 2024 based on popularity, community support, and real-world applicability across industries from startups to science. Python leads as the top all-purpose language empowering roles from data science to cloud infrastructure, with its simplicity and vast tooling ecosystem.
