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Top 10 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024

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Navigating the complex landscape of programming languages can be challenging. However, this guide is here to provide clarity, highlighting the top 10 programming languages poised to dominate in 2024. It offers an in-depth exploration of each language’s strengths, career pathways, and prominent application areas. From Python’s user-friendly nature to C#‘s proficiency in game development, this guide provides valuable insights into the programming world’s leading languages.

Programming-Laguage-to-learn

Beyond mere listing, this guide aims to empower readers to align their aspirations with the most suitable coding language. Whether one’s ambition is to develop cutting-edge AI applications, create innovative mobile apps, or analyze vast datasets, this guide will help identify the language that best suits their goals.

What is a Programming Language?

Programming language is defined as a set of instructions or commands that are used to communicate with computers in the form of programs. It provides a structured way for developers and programmers to communicate with computers, enabling them to write programs, algorithms, scripts, or applications.

Analytical Engine Algorithm was the first programming language developed in 1883 by Ada Lovelace with Charles Babbage.

Some of the popular programming languages include Python, JavaScript, Java, Swift, etc. Each language has its own strengths, weaknesses, and area of application, which diversifies its use in projects and tasks.

10 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024

Every person entering the field of coding wants to know What programming language is best to learn. We have tried answering that question by listing the top 10 coding languages to learn in 2024. We have mentioned the uses and advantages of entries, find the programming language that suits your work.

This curated list showcases the programming languages primed for high demand in the upcoming year. Notably, Python and JavaScript secured the top spots in Stack Overflow’s 2023 developer survey, highlighting their continued popularity. Prepare to delve into the power of the 10 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024 and explore their diverse application areas.

1. Python

If we talk about easy-to-read, easy-to-learn, and easy-to-use language then nothing can beat Python and that makes it an excellent choice for beginners. Python is now being introduced as the very first language in the majority of universities all over the globe.

Django, Flask, and Pyramid these all Python frameworks that are popular among developers. Python syntax is user-friendly in comparison to other languages and that increases developers’ productivity eventually. These all are the reason it is one of the most preferred languages among programmers. 

  • Open source and object-oriented.
  • Can be integrated with C and C++.
  • Cross-browser support.
  • Career in various fields such as Scripting, Web Development, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Big Data.
  • 1M+ repositories on GitHub.
  • Companies working on Python: Google, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Paytm, Netflix, Quora.

Python Course: Python Programming Foundation -Self Paced

2. JavaScript

Last year JavaScript was at the top of the StackOverflow survey report and this year it will be also one of the most popular languages among developers. Android, iOS, or desktop JavaScript is almost everywhere and it will definitely increase its spread this year as well.

JavaScript is providing ultimate business solutions and that is the reason it is on the top of the list for a tech startup and for tech giant companies as well. If you are looking for a job quickly and easily then JavaScript opens a lot of opportunities for you in the job market.

JavaScript is now used for both the frontend and backend side. There are so many frameworks and libraries available for JavaScript that are quite popular among web developers such as AngularJs, React, Vue, Meteor, and a lot more. 

  • Interpreted, light-weighted, Object-oriented programming.
  • Annual updates.
  • Used for both server-side and client-side programming.
  • Compatible with several programming languages
  • 629K+ Repositories on GitHub.
  • Companies working on JavaScript: Google, Facebook, Dell, eBay, PayPal, Uber

JavaScript Course: Master JavaScript – Complete Beginner to Advanced

3. Java

Whether you are in the programming field or not you must have definitely heard about this popular programming language. The reason why Java is on the top of the list is that there are so many large organizations still working on this language.

Java is widely used in Android app development and for building enterprise-scale web applications. Google has also created an excellent Java-based Android development framework – Android Studio.

There was a little bit decline in the popularity of Java but Spring Boot (the framework of Java) is gaining enormous popularity these days because of some of the recent refinement in the frameworks done recently. The recent update in this framework made it fantastic and probably, it will boost up in the future as well.

If you are looking forward to learning Java then going with Spring Boot won’t be the wrong choice for you. Here are some key points about Java:

  • Open source, Object-Oriented language.
  • Cross-platform compatible.
  • Stability, Strong memory management, and automatic garbage collection.
  • High performance, top-notch security.
  • Platform independent because of JVM feature.
  • 1M+ repositories on GitHub.
  • Companies working on Java: HCL, Adobe, Intuit, Qualcomm, Flipkart, Amazon.

Java Programming Course: Master Java Programming – Complete Beginner to Advanced

4. C and C++

Surely python and JavaScript are easy-to-learn and easy-to-use languages for most of the applications but when it comes to choosing the fastest language then C and C++ are the best choices.

A lot of low-level stuff such as operating systems, file systems, embedded systems, and kernel development can be built using C or C++. Almost all the modern and popular languages today inherit the properties of C and C++. C++ is still used in Microsoft Windows and Google projects. Apple also uses C++ language to develop its iOS operating system.

Most competitive programmers still prefer to use C++ because it is extremely fast and stable. Some key points of C and C++ are:

  • C++ is an object-oriented programming language.
  • Availability of ready-to-use STL libraries in C++.
  • Used in Game development, GUI applications, Desktop applications, and real-time mathematical simulations.
  • 7M+ repositories for C and 560K+ repositories for C++ on Github
  • Companies working on C and C++: eBay, Spotify, Adobe, Oracle, HP, Huawei, IBM, PhonePe

5. Golang

GoLang was developed by Google and it is also a simple language like Python so people who love to work on Python, they will definitely love this language as well. This language is pretty much already popular and scaling quite a lot at the backend services.

In past years this language didn’t get much popularity but in 2024 it will be rising quite a lot. Go language is more efficient than C++ and it provides features to write concurrent programs that are difficult in other programming languages. Revel, Beego, Martini, Gin all are popular frameworks of this language.

Its popularity is mostly in Silicon Valley startups but it is spreading all over the world day by day. Some key points of Golang are:

  • Excellent support for multithreading.
  • Fast and easy to learn syntax.
  • Ideal for building SPAs (single-page applications).
  • Can be used in a Distributed System, Big data, Cloud Computing, and other large-scale or complex applications.
  • 729K+ repositories on GitHub.
  • Companies working on Golang: Uber, Google, Dailymotion, Fabric, Medium.

6. Swift

Swift programming language is developed by Apple used to develop iOS applications. We all know the popularity of iOS applications in the market so it’s not going anywhere in 2024 as well.

Earlier we just had one single option, Swift, to enter iOS development but now we also have the option of Flutter and React native in the iOS market so you will see a little bit of a decline in the popularity of this language. Still, some of the things can only be done in Swift language (ex-payment stuff ) so definitely, it’s worth learning Swift programming language.

Cocoa and CloudKit these two are popular frameworks of Swift programming language. Some key points of Swift are:

  • Used in iOS applications, MacOS development, TvOS development, and the whole Apple ecosystem.
  • Scalable and easy to add new features.
  • Easy-to-read syntax
  • Automatic memory management prevents memory leaks.
  • Fast in comparison of Objective-C and Python.
  • 161K+ repositories on GitHub
  • Companies working on Swift: Apple, Amazon, Walmart, Uber, Slack.

Swift Course Online: iOS Development for Beginners: Master Swift & App Building for Free

7. Kotlin

Kotlin was one of the popular programming languages in 2023 and the popularity will definitely increase in 2024 as well. When it comes to Android app development Kotlin has become a recent choice for developers.

It can be used with both frontend and backend frameworks. The language comes with features such as interoperability with Java as well as Android Studio support. You can do amazing things with fewer bugs and fewer lines of code using Kotlin.

Some of the popular frameworks are Ktor, Vertex, and Spring. You all know the popularity of Android in the market so Kotlin opens a lot of job opportunities to the developers. Some key points of Kotlin are:

  • Object-oriented and cross-platform programming language.
  • Secure and flexible.
  • Easy to debug.
  • 79K+ repositories on GitHub.
  • Companies working on Kotlin: Airtel, Lenskart, Pinterest, Basecamp, Slack, Trello, Google, Netflix.

Kotlin Android Course: Mastering Android Development with Kotlin From Beginner to Pro

8. C#

C# is the programming language that is developed by Microsoft and it is still a quite popular programming language used in web development, game development (X-box, virtual reality, and Unity 3D games), and in Windows applications.

It has a comprehensive set of libraries that makes the execution and compilation of the program very fast. It is majorly used with the Dot Net framework(.NET). Some key points of C# are:

  • General purpose object-oriented programming language.
  • Fully integrated with the .NET library.
  • 19K+ repositories on GitHub.
  • Companies working on C#: Intellectsoft, Philips, Capgemini.

9. R

R is the most popular programming language for statistical analysis, data science, and machine learning. It is usually featured in the financial domain to build statistical models.

It provides the ability to create web applications and it also has a huge set of libraries with more than 10, 000 packages. If you want to join the team of “Analytics” then you should definitely choose this language in 2024. Some key points of R are:

  • Open source and cross-platform compatibility.
  • R is good for GNU/Linux and Microsoft Windows.
  • Highly extensible.
  • 5M+ repositories on GitHub.
  • Companies working on R: Facebook, Twitter, Google, Uber, and Airbnb.

10. PHP

A lot of people agree that PHP is losing its popularity day by day but we need to mention that it is still highly ranked in the market PHP is a cheap, free, and easy-to-use language. Approx. 70-80% of websites (Ex: Facebook, Wikipedia) are still running on PHP so there is a huge demand for PHP developers in the market.

A lot of developers or freelancers are using this language for web applications. Beginners can also choose this language because there is less competition in the market due to the popularity of Python and JavaScript languages.

Codeignitor, Laravel, CakePHP, and Symfony all are popular frameworks of PHP to make dynamic web applications. Some key points about PHP are:

  • Functional and Object-Oriented Programming
  • Platform independent.
  • Easy to get started for making web pages.
  • A lot of automation tools are available for testing and deployment.
  • 540K+ repositories on Github
  • Companies working on PHP: Oracle, HCL, Motorola.

 Best Programming Languages to Learn For Your Career Goals

After seeing the best programming languages to learn, we should also look at the best programming languages to learn for your career. If you have made up your mind about the direction of your career this list will help you in prioritizing the languages you want to learn.

  1. Best Programming Languages to Learn For Front-end web development: JavaScript, TypeScript
  2. Best Programming Languages to Learn For Back-end web development: JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Go, Elixir, C#
  3. Best Programming Languages to Learn For Desktop applications: Java, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript
  4. Best Programming Languages to Learn For Mobile development: Swift, Java, C#
  5. Best Programming Languages to Learn For Systems programming: C, Rust, Go
  6. Best Programming Languages to Learn For Game development: C#

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the best programming languages for 2024 is crucial for aspiring developers. Each language offers unique strengths and career prospects, from Python’s versatility to C#’s application in game development. Whether you aim for AI, mobile app development, or data analysis, this guide helps you align your goals with the right language. Programming languages are essential tools, each with distinct advantages and applications. Learning a language can open doors to diverse opportunities in a variety of industries. Stay informed about trends to make informed decisions about which languages to learn. Start with Python and JavaScript, ideal for beginners and widely used in the industry.

FAQs

What is the most effective programming language to learn?

Python and JavaScript are the most popular languages to learn, they have wide range of applications. If you are new to coding you can start your programming journey with Python and JavaScript.

Which coding language is easy?

Python, it is considered most easy programming language due to it’s easy syntax and cluster-eliminating practice

Which programming languages are in most demand?

Python, Java, SQL, .NET and Visual Basic are some of the most demanded programming languages

What is the best programming language to learn for placement?

Python, JavaScript, C/C++ are some of the most important coding languages and asked in interviews. Learning them might give you slight advantage during placements.



Last Updated : 07 Mar, 2024
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