Once upon a time, the world of computer programming was a mysterious and exclusive place. Only a select handful of people were considered computer programmers with cutting-edge coding skills. Today, many IT jobs require a solid grasp of the top programming languages, and yes, we mean more than one. 

If your plans to advance your career or change careers completely require you to master a programming language, you might wonder which one to learn. After all, it will take time and money to learn the language, so you want to make the right choice.

When making your decision, you should bear several considerations in mind, like the difficulty level you’re willing to tackle, the programming language knowledge you already possess that meshes with your existing coding skills, or your reasons for learning a top programming language. 

Whether you want to develop a mobile application, get certification for programming knowledge, or learn new skills, you need to learn the right programming language. Below you’ll learn about the best programming languages in demand among employers in 2024. You’ll be briefed about the details of each language, its complexity, and how it is used.

What is a Programming Language? 

A programming language is a way for programmers (developers) to communicate with computers. Programming languages consist of a set of rules that allows string values to be converted into various ways of generating machine code, or, in the case of visual programming languages, graphical elements.

Generally speaking, a program is a set of instructions written in a particular language (C, C++, Java, Python) to achieve a particular task.

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Learn more about the top trending and in-demand programming languages and take a step towards upskilling today!

Major Types of Programming Languages 

Procedural Programming Languages 

A programming paradigm that uses procedures or functions to abbreviate and categorize the code into reusable blocks is a procedural programming language. C, Pascal and FORTRAN are the most in-demand programming languages supporting this paradigm. 

In this programming, the program is divided into functions or procedures. They are primarily insular sub-programs that perform a specific task. These procedures can be called from other program parts, allowing for flexible programming and code reuse. The priority is the systematic execution of a program. Further, it emphasizes the series of instructions and influences data stored in variables.

These are the best programming languages to learn as they are widely used in the fields like engineering, gaming and finance. Procedural programming can be less flexible though this does not stop it from being one of the most significant programming paradigms taught in high-ranking computer science courses.  

Functional Programming Languages 

Unlike procedural languages, functional programming languages are more flexible. It is composed of a series of functions. This programming paradigm stresses the use of model computations and data transformation. Haskell, Clojure, Lisp and Scala are the languages supporting this paradigm. 

Functional programming makes programs easier to reason with and increases their reliability. The functions solely operate on their input arguments. They are less popular, but they have experienced a colossal boom from the educational point of view. They are assigned to variables, passed as arguments to other functions and return results from other functions. 

Functional programming is efficient parallel programming. They have no mutable state. You can program functions and parallelly work as instructions. These codes support nested functions and consist of independent units that run coherently. Hence, this is more efficient.

Object-oriented Programming Languages 

In an object-oriented programming language, objects define the data and the behavior of objects. These objects typically include data attributes representing the object's state and method. This language enables users to make a complex system with interconnected objects.

This language hides implementation components from the outside world through encapsulation. This makes it possible to build large intricate systems without stressing about the internal workings of respective objects. The other benefit that makes this language so in demand is the feature of inheritance. It creates a ranking of classes that share common features while still allowing customization. 

Some popular object-oriented programming languages are Java, Python, C++, and Ruby. All these languages are top programming languages, but they share the principle of being object-oriented. 

Scripting Languages 

Simple to learn with easy syntax and dynamic typing, the scripting language is the type of language that is interpreted rather than compiled. The two types of this language are server-side scripting languages and client-side scripting languages. These languages make communication possible with other programming languages.

  • Python - The easiest programming language used among developers is Python. It is an object-oriented programming language. The language has a high-Level data structure, and built-in libraries, that make it easy to use and suitable for rapid application development. It is easy, decoded and has a dynamic semantic language. 
  • Perl - The language is dynamic with innovative features that make it popular and different from what is available on Linux and Windows Server. Websites with high traffic usually use Perl, including IMDB, as it helps in text manipulation tasks. 
  • Bash - Bourne -Again, SHell is a scripting language that is the default command interpreter on most Linux/GNU operating systems. This language is easier than most of the other programming languages. Bash makes it easier to create script store documentation for others and provides useful reusable scripts. 




Logic Programming Languages

As the name suggests, this is computer programming based on formal logic. This programming language program consists of a cluster of logical statements or rules that determine relationships among objects. It allows the system to extrapolate new information. 

Artificial intelligence and expert systems commonly use this language where reasoning and conjecture are required. This language allows a concise and expressive program which is easier to reason about and maintain than programs that return to other paradigms. 

To summarize, logical programming is a secure and flexible approach to solving problems in computer programming. It is suitable for every type of problem. It is a valuable tool for a few applications as well. One of the most popular logical languages is Prolog which consists of a set of facts and rules to describe a problem and reason about it. 

Imperative Programming 

In imperative programming, the programmer provides a set of instructions that the computer follows to manipulate the state of the program and the information structure within it. This paradigm describes the steps that a computer needs to take to solve a program rather than defining the mathematical function. C, C++, Java, and Python are some of the imperative programming languages, 

The Imperative is the most popular programming language in software development for system programming and low-level programming tasks, which includes direct level control over hardware resources.

Other Ways to Classify Programming Languages 

Front-end vs. Back-end Languages 

Front-end languages are called client-side languages, which are used to create virtual and interactive website elements that users can see. The front-end languages include HTML, CSS and JavaScript. 

Backend languages are known as server-side languages. They create logic and functionality behind the scenes of the website, like processing, storing and managing the user's account and authentication. Python, Ruby, and Java are some of the backend languages.

High-level vs. Low-level Languages 

High-level languages are easy to read and write since they are understandable. Developers can write code at a higher level of abstraction without worrying about the underlying hardware or operating system, as it is close to natural languages. They have built-in libraries and frameworks to simplify ordinary programming tasks like managing data structures or executing calculations. Examples of high-level languages are Python, Java or Ruby. 

On the other hand, level languages are much more complex to understand and write. The code written in languages is very efficient and directly manipulates the hardware and memory of the computer. Yet the developer needs to rely on manual efforts and understanding. Assembly language and C are examples of this type of language.   

Interpreted vs. Compiled Languages 

The interpreter directly executes and reads the interpreted code line by line without compiling it into machine code. It can be executed immediately without requiring separate compilation steps, such as Python, Ruby and JavaScript.

In contrast, the compiler first translates the compiled languages into machine code. Further converts the human-readable code into a structure that computers can execute. Languages like C, C++, and Java fall into this category.

What Programming Language Should You Learn?  

With rigorous updates in the tech market, a candidate should be up-to-date with new languages. Though, other factors play a significant role in the decision of what programming languages to learn. 

  • Firstly, one needs to understand their goals and what career one wants to pursue after learning the programming language.
  • Next, conduct thorough market research and narrow down the field you want to enter.
  • After that, you need to understand the industry demand and the job portfolio of the desired profession. Learn the skills and languages that are demanded in the chosen field. 
  • You might want to start one of the easiest programming languages and gradually elevate your difficulty level. Python and Ruby are great languages, to begin with.
  • Look for simply available material where you can learn quickly. Join communities and network with people at the top level of the field. 
  • Lastly, keep reinventing and learning as the market is constantly changing.

What Are the Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024?

What coding and programming language should i learn? JavaScript and Python, two of the most popular languages in the startup industry, are in high demand. Most startups use Python-based backend frameworks such as Django (Python), Flask (Python), and NodeJS (JavaScript). These languages are also considered to be the best programming languages to learn for beginners.

Below is a list of the most popular and best programming languages that will be in demand in 2024.

1. Javascript
2. Python
3. Go
4. Java
5. Kotlin
6. PHP
7. C#
8. Swift
9. R
10. Ruby
11. C and C++
12. Matlab
13. TypeScript
14. Scala
15. SQL
16. HTML
17. CSS
18. NoSQL
19. Rust
20. Perl

1. Javascript

JavaScript is a high-level programming language that is one of the core technologies of the World Wide Web. It is used as a client-side programming language by 97.8 percent of all websites. JavaScript was originally used only to develop web browsers, but they are now used for server-side website deployments and non-web browser applications as well. 

Javascript was created in 1995 and was initially known as LiveScript. However, Java was a very popular language at that time, so it was advertised as a “younger brother” of Java. As it evolved over time, JavaScript became a fully independent language. Nowadays, JavaScript is often confused with Java, and although there are some similarities between them, the two languages are distinct.

Also Read: Top 10 Reasons to Learn JavaScript

Javascript is the most popular programming language in the world and is in high demand among various organizations. The average Java developer earns around $112,152 each year.

Level:

Beginner to Intermediate

Skills Needed:

HTML and CSS to define the content and layout of web pages

Platform:

Cross-platform (desktop, mobile, web)

Popularity Among Programmers:

The most popular programming language in the world

Benefits:

  • Easy to learn and implement
  • Used everywhere on the web
  • Can run immediately within the client-side browser
  • Reduces the demand on the website server

Downsides:

Can sometimes be interpreted differently by different browsers which makes it difficult to write cross-browser code.

Degree of Use:

Widely used; highly applicable

Annual Salary Projection:

$112,152

2. Python

Python is one of the most popular programming languages today and is easy for beginners to learn because of its readability. It is a free, open-source programming language with extensive support modules and community development, easy integration with web services, user-friendly data structures, and GUI-based desktop applications. It is a popular programming language for machine learning and deep learning applications. 

Python is used to develop 2D imaging and 3D animation packages like Blender, Inkscape, and Autodesk. It has also been used to create popular video games, including Civilization IV, Vegas Trike, and Toontown. Python is used for scientific and computational applications like FreeCAD and Abacus and by popular websites like YouTube, Quora, Pinterest, and Instagram. Python developers earn average annual salaries of about $109,092.

Level:

Beginner – Python enables a beginner to become productive quickly

Skills Needed:

Problem-solving, abstract thinking

Platform:

Web, Desktop

Popularity Among Programmers:

Becoming continuously more popular

Benefits:

  • Flexible
  • Naturally/Intuitively readable
  • Highly regarded official tutorials and documentation
  • Scripted as opposed to compiled

Downsides:

Doesn’t start with programming basics (known to abstract too many important basic concepts)

Popularity:

Becoming continuously more popular both in technical education and business uses

Degree of Use:

Coding skills widely used; popular in both technical education and business use

Annual Salary Projection:

$109,092

Also Read: Introduction To Python Basics

3. Go

Go was developed by Google in 2007 for APIs and web applications. Go has recently become one of the fastest-growing programming languages due to its simplicity, as well as its ability to handle multicore and networked systems and massive codebases.

Go, also known as Golang, was created to meet the needs of programmers working on large projects. It has gained popularity among many large IT companies thanks to its simple and modern structure and syntax familiarity. Companies using Go as their programming language include Google, Uber, Twitch, Dropbox, among many others. Go is also gaining in popularity among data scientists because of its agility and performance.

Go developers can earn an average annual salary of $141,654, and hitting up to $261,000. 

Level:

Beginner to intermediate

Skills Needed:

Easy to learn if you already know at least one other programming language; otherwise, you just need patience and a willingness to learn.

Platform:

Cross-platform, mainly desktop

Popularity Among Programmers:

Not as popular as Java or Python, but it has been increasing in popularity

Benefits:

  • Widely considered a “minimalist” language 
  • Easy to learn
  • Transparent code
  • Compatible
  • Fast

Downsides:

No generics (which means you may end up writing more code than you would in other languages); very little library support; Go developer community is not very robust or supportive

Degree of Use:

Widely used, particular for Google applications (created at Google)

Annual Salary Projection:

$141,654

4. Java

Java is one of the most popular programming languages used today. 

Owned by Oracle Corporation, this general-purpose programming language with its object-oriented structure has become a standard for applications that can be used regardless of platform (e.g., Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, etc.) because of its Write Once, Run Anywhere (WORA) capabilities. As a result, Java is recognized for its portability across platforms, from mainframe data centers to smartphones. Today there are more than 3 billion devices running applications built with Java.

Java is widely used in web and application development as well as big data. Java is also used on the backend of several popular websites, including Google, Amazon, Twitter, and YouTube. It is also extensively used in hundreds of applications. New Java frameworks like Spring, Struts, and Hibernate are also very popular. With millions of Java developers worldwide, there are hundreds of ways to learn Java. Also, Java programmers have an extensive online community and support each other to solve problems.

Java is a more complex language to learn, but experienced developers with Java coding skills are in high demand. The average Java developer earns around $109,225 each year.

Level:

Intermediate

Skills Needed:

Problem-solving, knowledge of the object-oriented structure

Platform:

Web, Mobile, Desktop

Popularity Among Programmers:

One of the world’s most popular; high demand

Benefits:

  • Regarded as a good start for learning to think like a programmer and gain coding skills
  • You’ll be able to access/manipulate the most important computer functions, like the file system, graphics, and sound for any fairly sophisticated and modern program that can run on any operating system.

Downsides:

Lots of new vocabulary to learn; a higher-level language

Degree of Use:

Widely used; highly applicable

Annual Salary Projection:

$109,225

5. Kotlin

Kotlin is a general-purpose programming language originally developed and unveiled as Project Kotlin by JetBrains in 2011. The first version was officially released in 2016. It is interoperable with Java and supports functional programming languages.

Kotlin is used extensively for Android apps, web application, desktop application, and server-side application development. Kotlin was built to be better than Java, and people who use this language are convinced. Most of the Google applications are based on Kotlin. Some companies using Kotlin as their programming language include Coursera, Pinterest, PostMates among many others.

Kotlin developers earn an average of $136,000 a year, with the potential to earn up to $171,500.

Level:

Intermediate to advanced

Skills Needed:

Prior experience with programming languages, particularly Java

Platform:

Web, Mobile, Desktop, Server

Popularity Among Programmers:

Increasingly popular; used for Android applications

Benefits:

  • Less code-heavy than Java and other languages;
  • Relatively easy to adopt
  • Fully compatible with Java 

Downsides:

Fluctuating compilation speed; no static keyword in Kotlin

Degree of Use:

Widely used; highly applicable

Annual Salary Projection:

$136,000

6. PHP

PHP is an open-source programming language created in 1990. Many web developers find it essential to learn PHP, as this language is used to build more than 80% of websites on the Internet, including notable sites like Facebook and Yahoo.

Programmers mainly use PHP mainly to write server-side scripts. But developers can also use this language to write command-line scripts, and programmers with high-level PHP coding skills can also use it to develop desktop applications. 

PHP is considered a relatively easy language to learn for beginning developers. PHP professionals have access to several dedicated online communities, making it easy to get support and answers to questions.

On average, PHP programmers earn average annual salaries of about $107,409.

Level:

Beginner to intermediate

Skills Needed:

Simple if you have a background in programming languages, but relatively easy to learn for newcomers

Platform:

Cross-platform (desktop, mobile, web)

Popularity Among Programmers:

Used by nearly 80% of all active websites, so it’s very popular with web developers

Benefits:

  • Open-source
  • Easy to develop and may be integrated with many different tools
  • Cost effective
  • Flexible with database connectivity

Downsides:

Not very secure; not well-suited for large applications; poor error-handling; cannot support a large number of apps

Degree of Use:

While it’s used by the vast majority of websites, its use is declining

Annual Salary Projection:

$107,409

Also Read: Top 8 Practical Applications of PHP and Steps to Carve a Career in the Field

7. C#

Developed by Microsoft, C# rose to fame in the 2000s for supporting the concepts of object-oriented programming. It is one of the most used programming languages for the .NET framework. Anders Hejlsberg, the creator of C#, says the language is more like C++ than Java.

C# is best suited for applications on Windows, Android, and iOS, as it takes the help of the integrated development environment product, Microsoft Visual C++. C# is used on the back end of several popular websites like Bing, Dell, Visual Studio, and MarketWatch. C# developers earn around $111,760 per year.

Level:

Intermediate

Skills Needed:

A basic understanding of how to write code

Platform:

Cross-platform, including mobile and enterprise software applications

Popularity Among Programmers:

Relatively popular, but not as popular as Java (its closest rival)

Benefits:

  • Fast 
  • Simple to use
  • Object-oriented
  • Scalable and updateable
  • Interoperable with other codes
  • Open source
  • Extensive library

Downsides:

Less flexible, as it depends on Microsoft’s .Net framework; poor x-platform GUI

Degree of Use:

Used by roughly one-third of all software developers, particularly relevant for Microsoft developers

Annual Salary Projection:

$111,760

8. Swift

A few years ago, Swift made the top 10 in the monthly TIOBE Index ranking of popular programming languages. Apple developed Swift in 2014 for Linux and Mac applications. 

An open-source programming language that is easy to learn, Swift supports almost everything from the programming language Objective-C. Swift requires fewer coding skills compared with other programming languages, and it can be used with IBM Swift Sandbox and IBM Bluemix. Swift is used in popular iOS apps like WordPress, Mozilla Firefox, SoundCloud, and even in the game Flappy Bird. Professionals who develop iOS applications take home average annual salaries of around $106,652.

Level:

Beginner to intermediate

Skills Needed:

Willingness to spend time reading tutorials (which are widely available); no prior experience with programming languages required

Platform:

Mobile (Apple iOS apps, specifically)

Popularity Among Programmers:

Gaining in popularity, especially among Apple iOS application developers

Benefits:

  • Relatively easy to learn
  • Clean syntax
  • Less code
  • Faster than comparable programming languages
  • Open source

Downsides:

Still a young language; poor interoperability with third party tools; lacks support for earlier versions of iOS

Degree of Use:

Used extensively for creating iOS apps used on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch

Annual Salary Projection:

$109,652

9. R

R is an open-source language that is essentially a different version of the S language. Much of the code that developers write for S runs on R without modification.

Applications built in R are used for processing statistics, including linear and nonlinear modeling, calculation, testing, visualization, and analysis. Applications coded using R can interface with a number of databases and process both structured and unstructured data.

R has a moderate learning curve and is not as easy for beginners to pick up as some other languages in this article. However, like other open-source programming languages, R boasts an active online community of developers, which is always a plus when learning new coding skills.

On average, R developers earn average annual salaries of about $90,940.

Level:

Intermediate

Skills Needed:

Easier if you already know Javascript or Python, but it’s recommended for people with a firm grasp of mathematics

Platform:

Mainly desktop

Popularity Among Programmers:

Not nearly as popular as it once was, mainly due to rival language Python’s soaring popularity

Benefits:

  • Open source
  • Great support for managing data
  • Wide variety of packages available 
  • Cross-functional with Linux, Windows, and Mac OS
  • Ideal for machine learning applications

Downsides:

Objects are stored in physical memory, which can strain resources; lacks basic security; slower than Matlab or Python

Degree of Use:

Widely used for analytics

Annual Salary Projection:

$90,940

10. Ruby

If you want to start with a language that is known for being relatively simple to learn, consider Ruby. Developed in the 1990s, it was designed to have a more human-friendly syntax while still being flexible from the standpoint of its object-oriented architecture that supports procedural and functional programming notation. A web-application framework that is implemented in Ruby is Ruby on Rails (“RoR”). Ruby developers tout it for being an easy language to write in and also for the relatively short learning time required. These attributes have led to a large community of Ruby developers and a growing interest in the language among beginning developers. The average salary for a Ruby developer is around $121,000 per year.

Level:

Beginner – Ruby and Ruby on Rails have evolved to become extremely popular for web developers.

Skills Needed:

Problem-solving, abstract thinking (ability to visualize what application users want to see)

Platform: 

Web

Popularity Among Programmers:

On the rise

Benefits:

  • Flexible
  • The syntax is considered easy to read and to write (no specialized “vocabulary” to get started)
  • Enforces good programming style

 

Degree of Use:

Least broadly used

Annual Salary Projection:

$121,070

11. C and C++

C is probably the oldest and popular programming language and is the root of other programming languages such as C#, Java, and JavaScript. C++ is an enhanced version of C. Many developers today skip learning C on its own, while others think learning C first provides a valuable foundation for C++ development. Both languages are widely used in computer science and programming. 

C and C++ developers can make use of compilers for a wide variety of platforms, making applications developed in these languages largely transportable. Both C and C++ are considered high-performance languages. As such, they are widely used in developing applications where performance is a critical issue, such as client/server applications, commercial products like Firefox and Adobe, and video games. C and C++ developers earn an average of $118,366 each year.

Level:

C – Intermediate to Advanced 

C++ – Beginner to Intermediate

Skills Needed:

Problem-solving, basic computer knowledge. As C and C++ are geared toward low-level management of computer resources,  knowledge of computer functions such as memory management is beneficial.

Platform:

Mobile, Desktop, Embedded

Popularity Among Programmers:

  • C – There has been a higher migration from C to C++
  • C++ – One of the world’s most popular languages

Benefits:

  • C – Used to learn the fundamentals of programming at the lowest (hardware) level
  • C++ – allows for a much higher “control” than other languages

Downsides:

  • C – Coding in C is stricter, not very beginner-friendly language, the steeper learning curve
  • C++ – A bit more challenging to pick up and become productive with than C (and even more so than Java)

Degree of Use:

  • C – One of the most widely used
  • C++ – Widely used

Annual Salary Projection:

$118,366

12. Matlab

Matlab is a proprietary programming language owned by MathWorks and originally released in the mid-1980s. It is built specifically for use by scientists and engineers.

Programmers use Matlab to build machine learning and deep learning applications. Matlab-based programs enable users to analyze data, create algorithms, process images, and verify research.

Generally, Matlab is easier to learn than other programming languages on our list. MathWorks’ website has an extensive section dedicated to answering questions about Matlab.

The average Matlab developer takes home an average salary of $100,760 each year.

Level:

Beginner

Skills Needed:

Basic knowledge of programming is recommended, but not required

Platform:

Mostly desktop

Popularity Among Programmers:

Not as popular as Python (its closest rival), but its popularity is increasing for hardware engineering and running visualizations

Benefits:

  • Can be used to easily run and test algorithms
  • Easily debugged
  • Enables extensive data analysis and visualizations
  • Relatively simple to learn

Downsides:

As an interpreted (vs. compiled) language, it’s relatively slow; installation files take a significant amount of space on the computer

Degree of Use:

Not used extensively, outside of the science and research domains

Annual Salary Projection:

$100,766

13. TypeScript

TypeScript is a newcomer to top programming language lists, but it’s making headway. It was developed in 2012 by Microsoft and is a typed version of JavaScript that is well suited for large code bases. TypeScript is used to create JavaScript-based projects with typing in both client-side and server-side development, making useful for catching errors and preventing systemic issues.

TypeScript was named “most adopted tech” in the 2021 State of JavaScript Survey. TypeScript developers typically earn an annual average of $75,199.

Level:

Intermediate to Advanced

Skills Needed:

Basic knowledge of JavaScript required

Platform:

Web

Popularity Among Programmers:

Rapidly gaining popularity among programmers, especially for large-scale programs.

Benefits:

  • Great for large-scale projects
  • It has the fastest growing GitHub community
  • Makes JavaScript development more efficient

Downsides:

You need to know JavaScript first.

Degree of Use:

Gaining heavy traction among web developers

Annual Salary Projection:

$75,200

14. Scala

Scala is a general-purpose, type-safe Java virtual machine language that combines the best oop and functional programming languages into one special high language. Scala is ideal for reducing and removing bugs in large, complex applications. It supports both object-oriented and functional programming.

Programmers can use Scala for any task that they normally would use Java for. Scala is a complex language, but that complexity gives it a lot of flexibility. Companies that use Scala include Netflix, Twitter, and the New York Times.

Scala developers earn a yearly average of $127,005.

Level:

Complex

Skills Needed:

Basic knowledge of Java, C, C++, or Python recommended, but not required

Platform:

Cross-platform

Popularity Among Programmers:

Scala’s popularity has taken several hits, probably due to its complexity. It enjoys a good reputation in the fields of big data and machine learning.

Benefits:

  • Faster than Python
  • Ideal for data analytics
  • Highly functional

Downsides:

·       It’s very complex

·       The SBT and compiler are clunky

·       Limited developer pool

Degree of Use:

Extensive use in many companies’ data engineering infrastructure, especially data processing, web development, and distributed computing.

Annual Salary Projection:

$127,005

15. SQL 

SQL is a standard database query language. It is used to access and manipulate data in databases. SQL is a declarative language that specifies the desired results, but not the steps to achieve those results. SQL is a powerful tool for accessing and manipulating data, and it is the world's most widely used database query language.

Benefits of SQL

  • SQL is a standard database query language that enables users to manipulate and query data in a database quickly. 
  • SQL is widely used in many applications and environments, such as web applications, data warehouses, and e-commerce applications. 
  • SQL provides many benefits over other database query languages, such as improved performance, better data integrity, and more accessible data manipulation.

Cons of SQL

  • If you are unfamiliar with programming or database concepts, SQL can be challenging to learn.
  • SQL can be slow compared to other languages, mainly when working with large databases.
  • And SQL is not well suited for certain types of tasks, such as complex mathematical calculations or machine learning.

16. HTML 

HTML(HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language for creating web pages and applications. HTML is used to create web pages. You can use HTML to add images, links, and other types of content to your web page. HTML is a simple programming language; you don't need to know much about it to create a basic web page.

Images and other objects, such as interactive forms, can be embedded within the produced page using HTML structures. It enables the creation of structured documents by indicating structural semantics for text elements including as headings, paragraphs, lists, links, quotations, and other objects. HTML elements are delineated by tags, which are written in angle brackets.

Benefits of HTML

  • Benefits of using HTML include creating well-structured, standards-compliant web pages that are easy to maintain and update. 
  • HTML is also easy to learn and is a great starting point for those new to web development.
  • HTML is used to structure and present content on the web and is typically used alongside CSS and JavaScript. 
  • Additionally, HTML5 provides better multimedia and interactive content support, making it a powerful tool for creating engaging web experiences.
  • HTML5 is the latest version and includes new features like video and audio elements, local storage, and 2D/3D graphics. HTML5 is designed to be more user-friendly and efficient than previous versions of HTML.

Cons of HTML

A few potential drawbacks exist to using HTML as a web development language. 

  • First, because HTML is a markup language, it is not as expressive as a programming language like JavaScript or PHP, which means that complex web applications or pages can be more challenging to develop in HTML. 
  • Additionally, HTML is not a very secure language, so web developers must carefully encode any user input to prevent security vulnerabilities properly. 
  • Finally, HTML can be somewhat challenging to learn for newcomers, as it has a lot of different elements and syntax rules

17. CSS 

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a style sheet language used to describe how a page that was produced in a markup language is presented. A style sheet, which is a set of rules for web browsers, can control an HTML or XML.

All HTML tags, including the text in the document's body, headings, paragraphs, and other text elements, are styled using CSS. The display of grid components, table elements, and picture 

Benefits of CSS

  • CSS is used to style all HTML tags, including the body of the document, headings, paragraphs, and other material. CSS can also be used to style how table components, grid elements, and images are displayed.
  • Web developers use CSS to create responsive and accessible websites. CSS can make it easier for web developers to create websites that look good on all devices, including mobile phones and tablets. 
  • CSS can also help make websites more accessible to people with disabilities.
  • CSS is easy to learn and use. Many tutorials and resources are available online, and anyone can start using CSS to style their web pages.

Con of CSS

  • CSS can be challenging to debug. When there are errors in a CSS file, it can be difficult to track down the source of the problem.
  • And it can be time-consuming to write. CSS files can be large and complex, and it can take a lot of time to create and maintain them.

Overall, the CSS is a powerful tool that can be used to style web documents. However, it is vital to know the potential drawbacks before using it.

18. NoSQL 

NoSQL databases are non-relational databases designed to provide high performance and scalability. And NoSQL databases are often used in big data applications, where data is distributed across many nodes.

The four key categories of NoSQL databases are as follows:

  • key-value stores, 
  • columnar stores, 
  • document stores, 
  • And graph databases.

Benefits of NoSQL

  • NoSQL is a database system that does not use the traditional relational model. 
  • NoSQL databases are often used for big data applications that need to scale quickly. 
  • NoSQL databases can be faster and more scalable than relational databases.

Cons of NoSQL

  • NoSQL databases are generally less mature than SQL databases and, as such, may lack some of the features and functionality that SQL databases offer. 
  • Additionally, because NoSQL databases are less standardized than SQL databases, it can be more challenging to find skilled personnel who can work with them.
  • And NoSQL databases may be less compatible with existing applications and infrastructure than SQL databases.

19. Rust 

Rust is a programming language designed to be safe, concurrent, and practical. It is a systems programming language that runs blazingly fast, prevents segfaults, and guarantees thread safety. Rust is also memory-efficient: it uses minimal memory, making it ideal for embedded systems.

Benefits of Rust

  • Rust is a fast and efficient language used to create high-performance applications. 
  • Rust is also a safe and reliable language, which makes it perfect for developing mission-critical software. 
  • Additionally, Rust is easy to learn and use and has a great community of developers who are always willing to help.

Cons of Rust

While Rust has many features that make it an attractive language, there are some drawbacks to using it. 

  • There needs to be more support or documentation available for other languages because it is a new language, making it difficult to learn and use Rust. 
  • Additionally, Rust only supports some platforms, and it can be challenging to integrate with existing codebases.

20. Perl 

Perl is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language. Although Perl is not officially an acronym, various backronyms exist, including "Practical Extraction and Report Language." Perl was originally developed by Larry Wall in 1987 as a general-purpose Unix scripting language to make report processing easier. Since then, it has undergone many changes and revisions. 

Perl is widely regarded as the " Swiss Army knife" of programming languages because of its versatility and power. It is used for various tasks, including web development, network programming, system administration, and more.

Benefits of Perl

  • Perl is a powerful programming language with many features and applications. It is widely used in system administration, web development, network programming, and many other fields. 
  • Perl is easy to learn, and its concise syntax makes it an excellent choice for beginners. It is also very versatile, allowing you to write programs in various styles. 
  • Perl has excellent support for many databases, making it a good choice for database-driven applications. It also has excellent support for graphics and multimedia, making it a good choice for media-rich applications.

Cons of Perl

Although Perl is an interesting and feature-rich programming language, it also has some cons. 

  • First of all, it is more challenging to learn than some other languages like Python, and it has a very steep learning curve and can confuse beginners. 
  • Additionally, Perl is not as widely used as other languages, so there is not as much support available. 
  • Finally, it can be pretty slow compared to some other languages.

How to Get Started?

Although there are hundreds of programming languages, very few make it to the short list of languages you should know. The ones described above lead the pack, in our opinion, as the best programmer training options. If you want to start a career as a programmer, make a lateral move into another field, or advance up the ladder at your current job, learning one of these languages is an excellent place to begin your transition. And since courses range from Python for the beginner to Java for the experienced, you can find the right fit for you. 

Once you’ve decided it’s time to learn a new language, turn to Simplilearn for both training and certification. We offer courses in all seven of these languages (Java, Javascript, C, C#, Python, Swift, and Ruby), plus others, all with content developed by industry leaders, an emphasis on hands-on learning, and 24x7 support. You’ll learn the language, plus get the credibility of certification, making it easier to land one of those high-paying programmer jobs. Explore Simplilearn's Full Stack Java Developer course. This course can help you gain the right skills and make you job-ready in no time.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments section below. Our team will get back to you at the earliest.

FAQs

1. What are the top programming languages to learn in 2024?

In 2024, some of the best programming languages to learn include Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, and TypeScript.

2. Which programming language is best for beginners?

Python is an excellent choice for beginners due to its simple syntax, readability, and vast community that provides ample learning resources.

3. What is the most in-demand programming language for web development?

JavaScript remains the most in-demand language for web development, as it powers the interactivity and functionality of modern websites.

4. Which language is widely used for mobile app development?

Swift (for iOS) and Kotlin (for Android) are the most widely used programming languages for mobile app development.

5. What programming language is preferred for data analysis and machine learning?

Python is the preferred language for data analysis and machine learning due to its extensive libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and TensorFlow.

6. Which programming language is known for its speed and performance?

C++ is renowned for its speed and performance, making it a popular choice for system-level programming and resource-intensive applications.

7. Is learning older languages like C and Java in 2024 worth learning?

Yes, learning C and Java is still valuable as they form the backbone of many existing applications and systems and have extensive use in various industries.

8. What are the main advantages of learning a versatile language like Python?

Python's versatility lies in its applications across web development, data science, machine learning, automation, and scientific computing, making it a powerful language to learn.

9. Which programming language is best suited for game development?

Languages like C#, C++, and Python (with game development frameworks like Unity and Pygame) are commonly used for game development.

10. What are some popular languages for backend web development?

Popular languages for backend web development include Python (Django, Flask), JavaScript (Node.js), Ruby (Ruby on Rails), and PHP (Laravel).

11. Is Rust a good language to learn for systems programming?

Yes, Rust is an excellent choice for systems programming as it combines low-level control with high-level safety features, making it ideal for writing secure and fast system code.

12. Which language should I learn to start a career in cybersecurity?

For a career in cybersecurity, learning languages like Python or C is beneficial as they are widely used for scripting and exploit development.

13. Are there any beginner-friendly resources for learning popular programming languages?

Yes, several online platforms offer beginner-friendly tutorials and courses for popular languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript.

14. Is it necessary to learn multiple programming languages for a successful career?

While specializing in one language is common, having exposure to multiple languages can make you more adaptable and versatile in the ever-changing tech industry.

15. What is the best way to stay updated with the latest trends in programming languages?

To stay updated with the latest trends, follow industry blogs, attend tech conferences, participate in online forums, and join developer communities on social media.

Our Software Development Courses Duration And Fees

Software Development Course typically range from a few weeks to several months, with fees varying based on program and institution.

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