Top 10 programming languages: If there's one job for which there's been no let-up in demand over the years, it's that of programmer or application developer. Here's the thing: if you're new to the job, which languages should you include on your CV?
A programmer who masters C++ can expect to be paid more than a Python expert. At the same time, C++ is much harder to master than Python. So it’s probably best to start with Python or JavaScript so that you can get used to the essential mechanisms of programming in these languages.
Here are the Top 10 programming languages that you might want to learn more about sooner or later.
Python
If you want to start a career as a programmer, Python is a great place to start. It’s one of the easiest languages to learn. Its syntax is clear, intuitive and close to English.
Despite this simplicity, Python developers are in great demand, and demand is growing all the time.
As it happens, Python can be used for all sorts of tasks. It has been used to create 2D imaging and 3D animation software such as Blender, Inkscape and Autodesk. And we find it in many popular video games, such as Civilization IV and Disney Toontown. Python is also used by websites such as YouTube, Quora, Pinterest, Mozilla, Instagram and Spotify.
One of its strengths comes from the presence of numerous predefined libraries such as NumPy and SciPy, which are commonly used in fields such as scientific computing and mathematics.
JavaScript
Created in 1995, JavaScript takes its name from Java, a very popular language at the time. Although it was initially perceived as a “little brother” of Java, it has gradually become an independent language.
JavaScript is a must-have for professional developers: it is used on 97.8% of websites, including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and YouTube.
According to the 2023 Stack Overflow survey, it is the language most used by developers for the eleventh year running.
JavaScript is nevertheless one of the most accessible languages for beginners.
C#
Developed by Microsoft, C# became famous in the 2000s. It is based on two older languages, C and C++, but is easier to learn than their predecessors. It is a good programming language for developing applications with a graphical interface. It is also recommended for creating 3D and 2D video games using the Unity game engine – which produces a good third of the most popular games.
Originally designed for Windows (within the .NET environment), C# is now compatible with other environments such as Linux, Android and iOS. It is used by a number of popular websites, including Bing, Dell and Visual Studio.
C# is praised for its performance and stability. It is in great demand by many companies, particularly in web development.
Java
Owned by Oracle Corporation, Java’s strength lies in its portability across a wide range of environments, from data centres to smartphones. Its motto is “Write Once, Run Anywhere”: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, etc. It is estimated that there are over 3 billion devices running applications developed with Java. Java is used to manage many major websites, including Google, Amazon and YouTube.
Java is complex to learn, but at the same time, Java developers are in great demand. With millions of developers around the world, there are plenty of ways to learn Java. And programmers can take advantage of a vast online community to solve any problems they encounter.
TypeScript
If you know JavaScript, TypeScript is easy to learn. This programming language is based on JavaScript and works in any environment running JavaScript. It was developed in 2012 by Microsoft.
In recent years, TypeScript has grown in popularity: more than 38% of developers use it, according to the Stack Overflow survey mentioned above. Several well-known companies use this programming language, including Google, Airbnb and Slack.
One of the advantages of TypeScript is its ability to speed up development by catching errors before JavaScript code is even executed.
Rust
Stack Overflow’s 2023 survey revealed that Rust was the programming language most admired by the developers consulted. Major technology companies such as Dropbox and Coursera use it internally for operational purposes.
Developed by Mozilla Corporation, Rust, like C and C++, is primarily intended for programming low-level systems (close to the processor). However, Rust focuses on speed and writing safe code, preventing programs from accessing parts of memory they shouldn’t, which could cause system crashes.
Rust is undoubtedly a little difficult for beginners to master. Nevertheless, Rust skills are likely to pay off, as its popularity is growing.
PHP
PHP is a programming language created in 1990. Many web developers find it essential to learn it, as it is used by over 80% of websites, including Facebook and Yahoo.
Programmers mainly use PHP to write server-side ‘scripts’. But it can also be used to develop desktop applications.
PHP is considered a relatively easy language for novice developers to learn. PHP professionals have access to several online communities, making it easy to get answers to their questions.
C and C++
C is the oldest programming language on this list, and is the basis for other programming languages such as C# and Java. C++ is an improved version of C.
C++ is considered a high-performance language. Its powerful nature means it can be used to create fast applications: video games, graphics software, web browsers, etc.
C++ is difficult to access for beginners, as its syntax is complex. Nevertheless, jobs as C++ developers are in high demand. Many developers skip learning C, but others feel that learning C++ provides a valuable foundation for development in C++.
SQL
Programmers interested in applications that use databases, such as social media platforms, e-commerce applications or music libraries, should consider learning SQL.
SQL is a language used to manipulate data in databases. It is the most widely used database query language in the world.
Swift
Announced by Apple in 2014, Swift is a programming language suitable for developing iOS and macOS applications. Its advantage for beginners is that it requires fewer coding skills than other programming languages.
Swift is nevertheless used in popular iOS applications such as WordPress, Firefox, SoundCloud, and even video games like Flappy Bird.
As it happens, Swift was optimised for performance and built from the ground up for iOS development. And yet, iOS applications are the most profitable on the mobile application market.
