Computers have a significant impact on modern human life. And a programming program powers the machine. Computer programs are powered by programming languages and are, thus, the foundation of all our comforts. The languages of programming are responsible for all programs. Learning programming languages allows you to understand how all modern technology comes from.
The ancient languages of programming become outdated when new languages are added but never get traction. The programming language that you should invest in learning, in demand, in settled perspectives, and many jobs, is common among beginners (and coders). So, programming languages are a crucial part of the new & evolving technology that we see today.
These languages are very diverse and are mostly geared toward various kinds of requirements.
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Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2020
There are 700 existing programming languages, and many new programming languages are knocking the shelves. These numbers easily confuse any beginner because learning a new programming language is always an investment of your time and reasonable brainpower. Many aspects come into play as you decide, such as the complexity you will learn, the skills you already have that might fit a language, and why you choose a programming language.
Below are the top in-demand programming languages that are the current call of the need by employers. You’ll also learn something about the language and how it is used. But do not let the beginner mark stop you from learning something extraordinary. Even an effective programming language for a beginner becomes more complicated when you learn and understand how to use it.
8. Objective-C
Objective-C is a C language super-set that offers objective-oriented capabilities and powerful execution time. Objective-C inherits C’s syntax, basic classes, and flow control statements, and introduces class and method description syntax. It also provides support for object graph management and literal objects while dynamically typing and linking, and sweeps several tasks up to run time. It used to be the best language for app development during the initial days.a
Objective-C was the first and only iOS emerging language since Apple launched Swift from 1983 until 2014. Even if Objective-C’s fast successor(Swift) replaces it, Objective-C is still common in 2020. This is because many iOS applications have been written in Objective-C, and the developers need to keep those iOS applications. And as all of us know that maintaining existing features is more cost-efficient than creating new features.
Pros of Objective-C:
- Object-oriented.
- Interface builder.
- Supports iOS.
- Handles null values very well.
Cons of Objective-C:
- Types must be declared.
- Old fashioned and rarely used.
- Semicolons are required, which makes it complicated.
- Difficult to learn.
7. Swift
Swift is a good place to start when you are interested in Apple products and mobile app growth. Apple originally announced the modern programming language used for iOS and macOS applications in 2014. Swift was designed for success and developed to meet current iOS development realities from the ground up. Moreover, iOS apps remain the most successful in mobile apps and Swift remains the best app programming language.
Swift is an easy-to-learn, open-source programming language. Swift almost supports everything about Objective-C programming. Compared to other programming languages, it requires less code and can be used with IBM Swift Sandbox and IBM Bluemix. Common iOS applications, such as WordPress, Mozilla Firefox, SoundCloud, and Flappy Bird, are developed using Swift. Swift is undoubtedly the best iOS programming language.
Pros of Swift:
- Clean syntax.
- Easy to understand.
- A faster alternative to C++.
- Improved security.
Cons of Swift:
- Poor interoperability with third-party IDEs.
- Limited support.
- Unstable.
- Limited talent pool.
6. Go Language
Also known as GoLang, Go language is one of the core languages preferred by Google. Go is suitable for engineers who want to join the systems’ programming area because it is a low-level language. It provides a good deal of the same C and C++ features without the rough syntax and steep curve. It is the best language for web server development, data pipelines, and even machine learning packages. GoLang is also a versatile android programming language.
The Stack Overflow Developer survey 2019 mentioned GoLang as the third-highest paying programming language worldwide. The popularity of GoLang isn’t limited only to the Stack Overflow. On Github, GoLang is the fourth most popular programming language. GoLang is a newbie in the programming language market, and that’s why it lacks a lot of documentation. But it can surely be utilized by the ambitious developers as an iOS coding language.
Pros of GoLang:
- Open-source.
- Fast & efficient.
- Simple to use.
- Quick result.
Cons of GoLang:
- Lack of a virtual machine.
- Absence of high-level features.
- No generic support.
- Too much simplistic.
5. C#
C # (pronounced C Sharp) is a language based on C, with general purposes and an object-oriented framework. Microsoft originally developed it for the development of Windows applications in its .NET environment. C # uses a syntax similar to other C-derived languages like C++, so if you come from another language in a C-family, you can understand it quickly. C# is rapidly becoming one of the best coding languages.
During the early years after C# was launched, it was considered the precise imitation of Java, but both languages contrasted after the Microsoft licensing of C#. After the licensing, C# is the only go-to for Microsoft app development. It also became a widely-used programming language for developing cross-platform applications due to its Xamarian platform that helps in mobile app programming.
Pros of C# :
- Easier to code.
- Effective garbage collector.
- Most rapid and most effective in C-family.
- Excellent in-built IDE, which is free to use.
Cons of C# :
- Not a good IDE for the non-windows platform.
- Requires .NET framework to be installed.
- High memory usage.
- Some functions aren’t supported on Linux.
4. PHP
PHP is a programming language created as a side project for a single developer in the 1990s. Initially, Software Engineer Rasmus Lerdorf developed PHP for developing dynamic Web applications as a collection of standard gateway interface binaries written into C. The PHP software was eventually added more functions and gradually built into a fully-fledged programming language.
PHP is used for developing server-side web applications making it an excellent option for app development programming language. PHP is losing its attractiveness and popularity as a result of the JavaScript-based client-sector web app growth. PHP is also unstable. Unlike common belief, PHP will soon not die but will gradually decrease in popularity.
Pros of PHP:
- Faster web application development process.
- Simplified web app maintenance.
- High security.
- Cost-efficient web application development process.
Cons of PHP:
- Affects the speed of websites.
- Lack of options.
- Highly complex frameworks.
- Lack of IoT support.
3. JavaScript
JavaScript is the language used to construct interactive effects in Web browsers for object-oriented programming. Typescript is a JavaScript superset that provides a static language typing optional. JavaScript, along with HTML and CSS, is one of the world’s three leading Web technologies. It is also used on numerous popular websites including Google, Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon at the front end.
The JavaScript programming language is now one of the most commonly used in the world and runs almost all of its controller applications: browsers, pages, mobile devices, clouds, containers. JavaScript can also be used in the Android app language.
Pros of JavaScript:
- Faster coding process.
- Simple to learn.
- Highly compatible.
- Suitable for heavy tasks.
Cons of JavaScript:
- Doesn’t support multiple inheritances.
- Lack of copy feature.
- Interpreted differently by different browsers.
- Slower rendering process.
2. Java
Java is one of today’s most popular computer languages of in-demand programming. This general-purpose programming language, owned by Oracle Corporation, is an Object-oriented standard for applications that, due to their Write Once, Run Anywhere (WORA) capabilities are suitable for use irrespective of the platform As a result, the portability of Java across platforms from mainframe data centers to smartphones is recognized.
Java has been the choice of programmers for many years due to its high functionalities. Java is the official language of Android app development. It has Google’s most extensive support, and most Google Play apps are written in Java. Java is undoubtedly the best Android programming language. Java is certainly the best programming language for mobile app development.
Pros of Java:
- Object-oriented.
- A large number of open source libraries.
- Powerful tool.
- Wide variety of APIs.
Cons of Java:
- Memory management is expensive.
- Absence of templates.
- Single paradigm language.
- Slower than C and C++
1. Python
Python is undoubtedly the undisputed king in the list of best programming languages to learn. It is the most user-friendly programming language of 2020. The syntaxes of Python programming are simple to write, easier to read, and almost like English. It is highly easy to understand, and that is the sole why beginners are always behind Python. Along with the best, Python is also considered as the easiest programming language.
It’ll be a big mistake to underestimate Python because of its lightweight. Python is highly versatile, powerful, and provides programmers with loads of features. It provides a wide variety of frameworks for machine learning (Best Machine learning framework in 2020). Other libraries in Python, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, sci-tutoring, and OpenCV, are used for computer vision, image processing, and data science programs. Python is also considered as the best language for Android apps.
Pros of Python:
- Supports multiple systems and platforms.
- OOPS supported.
- Increases productivity.
- Extensive library support.
Cons of Python:
- Not best-suited for mobile computing.
- The database access layer is a bit underdeveloped and primitive.
- Slower speed.
- Not a good choice for heavy tasks.
Binge on Best Programming Languages
The hardest part of the learning programming is determining where to start from if you’re new to software development. Hundreds of programming languages are commonly used, each with its complexities and peculiarities. Annually, programming language demand and popularity fluctuate. New programming languages with advanced features are coming in the market, and it changes the pattern and demand for the existing most popular programming languages.
PYPL Ranking for Best Programming Languages
Although the field of computer programming shifts rapidly, the languages mentioned above have a lot of consistency, and they’ll certainly remain as the most popular coding languages for many years to come. You will not only be in an excellent place this year but also in the future years by mastering one or more of these languages. You can only address the question of the easiest programming language you can learn when you begin your journey to coding.