“What is the best programming language to learn” is probably the most common question we get asked at Coding Nomads. Unsurprisingly, the answer is not always simple. It often depends on the type of coding you would enjoy, and what you want to do with your skills.
For example, if you’re interested in the data and logic side of coding, you might like to learn Python, Java, C/C++/C#. If you’re interested in visual design and UX/UI, JavaScript and TypeScript would be the best languages for you. If you want to create mobile apps, you should learn Java for Android, and Swift / Objective-C for Apple iOS.
Aside from personal interests and preferences, at the end of the day most people want to learn coding to improve their job opportunities and income.
- 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 Live Script. 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.
- 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. Python is used for scientific and computational applications like FreeCAD and Abacus and by popular websites like YouTube, Quora, Pinterest, and Instagram.
- 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.
- 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.
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
- 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.
So, What’s the Best Programming Language to Learn?
- If you’re looking for something easy: Python
- If you want a solid foundation to make you a master developer: C
- If you’re looking for a job or want to make mobile apps: Java
- If you want to try front-end development: Javascript
- If you’re programming for your startup’s website: Ruby
Conclusion
Deciding on the best programming language to learn depends on a variety of factors. In addition to considering the demand for jobs and salaries, it’s important to understand what type of coding you might enjoy. For example:
- For the data and logic side of coding, you should learn a server-side language like Python, Java, C/C++/C#.
- For the visual design and user-interface aspect of coding, the best programming languages to learn would be JavaScript and TypeScript.
- For mobile apps, you should learn Java for Android, and Swift / Objective-C for Apple iOS.
