In the past few years, the entire fabric of society has shifted. Most aspects of our lives have become virtual—and it will continue to be so. Given this, it seems obvious how technology will continue to see huge demand in future. You may want to join the bandwagon too.
Today, not just engineers and computer science students, even lay people are learning programming languages. And, why not? Knowing a few programming tricks can simplify routine, quotidian tasks. As we move into a new year, you may have made a resolution to learn new skills or upgrade old ones. Programming is one skill that you’ll definitely not regret investing your time in.
To get you started, here are the top 10 programming languages of 2022:
1. JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most powerful and versatile programming languages. Of more than 1.8 Billion websites in the world, JavaScript is a part of 95% of them. It helps to make web pages interactive. Not only this, JavaScript finds its usage in creating games and mobile applications too. JavaScript is also one of the easiest programming languages to learn. Additionally, there are no prerequisites to taking it up.
2. Python
Python is a general-purpose programming language used for small as well as large-scale projects. It is one of the most popular programming languages. It is used for developing websites and software, task automation, data analysis, and data visualization among many other uses. Its beginner-friendly nature is what makes it popular not just among programmers but also among non-programmers to automate tasks.
3. C/C++
Another sought-after programming language is C/C++. The reason being that technology giants such as Oracle, Microsoft, and Adobe look for professionals skilled in this language. C++ can be said to be an advanced version of C. The former is an object-oriented language while the latter is not. These languages are primarily used for game development, making interactive websites and applications, building database management software, etc. Compared to other programming languages mentioned above, C/C++ is a bit harder to learn. But, of course, putting in the requisite efforts and adequate practice will transform you into a pro un no time.
4. C#
C# is an additional programming language which is object-oriented that was developed by Microsoft. C# is fast, simple-to-use, scalable and updatable, and has an extensive library. It is used by approximately one-third of all software developers. C# is preferred by web application developers and game developers especially. If you are an absolute beginner and want to learn coding from scratch, C# will not be a good option because it requires some basic understanding of how to write code.
5. Swift
Introduced by Apple Inc., Swift is a beginner-friendly and relatively easy-to-learn programming language that is growing in popularity. Swift is object-oriented that strives to provide a simpler syntax through the use of modern programming language theory concepts. It is used extensively for creating iOS apps used on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. However, you must know that it is still a young programming language and hence lacks the sophistication other established programming languages possess.
6. R
R is a field-specific programming language used in statistics and graphics to visualise and analyse data. It was created by statisticians Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman and is supported by the R Core Team and the R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Compared to other languages, R is a harder language to learn because the syntax of R is very difficult to read.
7. Ruby
Touted by its developers as being a easy to learn language requiring a short duration of time, Ruby is amassing much vogue amongst programming buffs. It is a general-purpose language too, like Python and finds its application in web development, data analysis, prototyping, and proof of concepts. The syntax is effortless to read and write.
8. Java
Any discussion about programming languages cannot end without the mention of Java. Java is probably the most renowned of all programming languages. Started by Sun Microsystems, it made its first appearance 26 years ago in the year 1995. BTW, fun fact—Java’s initial name was Oak. But it was changed since Oak was already a registered company. Java is used to develop mobile apps, web apps, desktop apps, games and much more.
9. PHP
PHP made its debut as an open-source programming language in the year 1990. PHP is actually an acronym for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. It is a server-side scripting language that more than 80% of developers use for web development. Given its multipurpose character, it can be used for generating Graphical User Interfaces as well.
10. MATLAB
MATLAB, which is an abbreviation for MATrix LABoratory, is a domain-specific programming language. It was developed by MathWorks and released in mid 1980s. With MATLAB, programmers can carry out operations such as matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages. Before you get started with learning MATLAB, it is advisable to have a fundamental knowledge of coding though it’s not mandatory.
Alright then, that was a list of 10 programming languages you could learn. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, grab your laptop, put on some music and dive straight into the joy of learning.
Happy coding!
