There was a time when those who worked in computer programming were shrouded in secrecy. There were only a handful of persons who could be considered expert computer programmers. These days, it’s not enough to know one popular programming language to get a job in the information technology field; you usually need to know many.
You may be wondering which programming language to study if your professional goals include either increasing your salary or switching fields entirely, and both need you being proficient in one. After all, investing in language study is a significant financial and time commitment.
There are several factors to think about when deciding which top programming language to study, including your current level of coding expertise, the languages you’ve already learned, and the goals you hope to achieve by learning a new one.
The correct programming language is essential if you want to build a mobile app, prove your programming proficiency, or expand your horizons. The most in-demand programming languages among employers in 2023 are discussed below. You will be given a rundown of each language’s specifics, level of complexity, and practical applications.
What is a Programming Language?
A programming language is a language used by developers (programmers) to instruct computers how to behave. Rules in a programming language translate text strings into a variety of machine code representations or, in the case of visual programming languages, into graphical symbols.
A program, in the broadest sense, is just a set of instructions written in a specific language (like C, C++, Java, or Python) to perform a specific task.
What Are the Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2023?
Should I study HTML or CSS? Both JavaScript and Python programmers are in high demand as they are widely used in the startup industry. Most new businesses rely on Python-based backend frameworks like Django (Python), Flask (Python), and NodeJS (JavaScript). These languages are also widely regarded as the most suitable for novice programmers.
The most in-demand programming languages of 2023 are provided below:
1. Javascript
2. Python
3. Go
4. Java
5. Kotlin
6. PHP
7. C#
8. Swift
9. R
10. Ruby
1. Javascript
One of the most fundamental aspects of the Internet is the JavaScript programming language. It is utilised by 98.2% of all websites as a client-side programming language. Although originally utilised primarily for browser development, JavaScript is now also deployed on servers and used in non-browser applications.
Born in 1995 under the name LiveScript, JavaScript has since changed names several times. But Java was already highly successful, so it was marketed as Java’s “younger brother.” JavaScript evolved into its own language over time. Though the two languages share certain similarities, Java and JavaScript are actually two separate languages.
In several fields, JavaScript experts are in high demand because it is the most widely used programming language. yearly salary for a Java developer is $112,152.
2. Python
Because of its readability, Python has quickly become one of the most popular programming languages. Free and open-source, it has a thriving community behind it, is easily integrated with web services, has friendly data structures, and can be used to create graphical user interfaces for desktop programmes. It has becoming widely used in the deep learning and machine learning communities.
Blender, Inkscape, and Autodesk are just some examples of the popular 2D and 3D animation software that is built with Python. Popular games like Civilization IV, Vegas Trike, and Toontown all made use of it as well. Python is utilised by prominent websites like YouTube, Quora, Pinterest, and Instagram, as well as scientific and computational programmes like FreeCAD and Abacus. The median yearly salary for a Python developer is $109,092.
3. Go
Google released the Go programming language in 2007 for use in application programming interfaces and websites. Due to its ease of use and its capacity to manage multicore and networked systems as well as large codebases, Go has recently become one of the fastest-growing programming languages.
Go, often known as Golang, is a programming language designed with the needs of developers on large projects in mind. Because of its familiar syntax and straightforward, up-to-date structure, it has acquired traction among numerous major IT corporations. Google, Uber, Twitch, and Dropbox are just some of the numerous companies that use Go as their primary programming language. As a result of its speed and flexibility, Go is also gaining favour with data scientists.
Go developers can earn an average annual salary of $141,654, and hitting up to $261,000.
4. Java
Nowadays, Java is among the most widely-used programming languages.
This object-oriented general-purpose programming language is owned by Oracle Corporation and has become the de facto standard for cross-platform (i.e. Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, etc.) app development. Java’s popularity stems from the fact that it can be used anywhere, from desktop computers to mobile devices. Over 3 billion devices are now using Java-based apps.
Java is popular for use in many different fields, including the web, software, and even big data. Many well-known sites use Java behind the scenes, including Google, Amazon, Twitter, and YouTube. Also, it has a wide range of uses, numbering in the hundreds. Also gaining a lot of traction are modern Java frameworks like Spring, Struts, and Hibernate. There are millions of Java developers around the world, so it’s not hard to find a Java course. In addition, there is a sizable online community where Java developers help and are helped by one other.
It takes more time and effort to become proficient in Java, but engineers with strong Java abilities are in high demand. The annual salary for a Java developer is approximately $109,225.
5. Kotlin
Kotlin was created and introduced in 2011 by JetBrains as Project Kotlin, and it is a general-purpose programming language. Initially, it was launched in 2016 as a beta version. Functional programming languages are supported, and it is compatible with Java.
Kotlin is popularly used for creating Android apps, web apps, desktop apps, and server-side applications. Kotlin was designed to be superior to Java, and its users agree. Kotlin is the mainstay of most of Google’s app ecosystem. Coursera, Pinterest, and PostMates are just a few of the many businesses that use Kotlin as their primary programming language.
Kotlin developers can make a yearly salary of up to $171,500, with an average salary of $136,000.
6. PHP
PHP, or Hypertext Preprocessor, was initially released in 1990 and is a free and open source programming language. Since more than 80% of websites, including popular ones like Facebook and Yahoo, are written in PHP, many web developers consider it a need to become fluent in the language.
In the programming world, PHP is mostly used for creating scripts that run on a server. Programmers with advanced knowledge of PHP can also use it to create desktop apps, and the language is useful for writing command-line scripts as well.
Developers at the outset of their careers often choose PHP because of its perceived simplicity. Numerous online communities exist specifically for PHP developers and users, making it simple to find help and information.
Programmers that work in PHP can expect to earn an average of $107,409 per year.
7. C#
Microsoft’s C# language became popular in the 2000s due to its strong support for object-oriented programming principles. For the.NET platform, it is a popular choice of language. C# developer Anders Hejlsberg claims his language is more similar to C++ than Java.
C# uses the integrated development environment product Microsoft Visual C++, making it ideal for Windows, Android, and iOS apps. Several well-known websites use C# behind the scenes, including Bing, Dell, Visual Studio, and MarketWatch. The average annual salary for a C# developer is $111,760.
8. Swift
A few years ago, Swift was among the top 10 most popular programming languages in the monthly TIOBE Index. Swift was first developed by Apple in 2014 and is compatible with both Linux and Mac OS X.
Swift is a simple, open-source programming language that offers nearly all the features of Objective-C. Swift may be utilised with the IBM Swift Sandbox and the IBM Bluemix, and it does not necessitate as much experience with coding as other languages. WordPress, Mozilla Firefox, SoundCloud, and even the game Flappy Bird are just some of the prominent iOS apps that employ Swift. Average annual incomes for iOS app developers are at roughly $106,652.
9. R
R is a free, open-source programming language that is essentially an alternative to S. The majority of the code written for S may be directly transferred to R.
Statistical tasks like linear and nonlinear modelling, calculation, testing, visualisation, and analysis are all handled by R applications. Programming in R allows for the creation of applications that can communicate with a wide variety of databases and handle both structured and unstructured data.
Learning R is not as simple as learning some of the other languages discussed here, but it does have a modest learning curve. R, like many other open-source programming languages, has a vibrant online community of developers that can be a great resource for students of the language.
The median annual salary for a R developer is $90,940.
10. Ruby
It’s recommended that beginners start with Ruby because it’s an easy language to pick up. Created in the 1990s, it has a syntax that is easier for humans to understand while yet being extensible because to its object-oriented architecture, which allows for the use of both procedural and functional programming languages. Ruby on Rails (“RoR”) is a web application framework written in Ruby. In addition to being a simple language to write in, Ruby is also praised by its users for the short amount of time it takes to master the language. As a result of these features, Ruby has amassed a sizable developer community and is gaining popularity among new programmers. A Ruby developer can expect an annual compensation of roughly $121,000.