The tech landscape in 2024 is buzzing with excitement as artificial intelligence, machine learning, Web3, and other cutting-edge technologies evolve at an unprecedented pace. If you're venturing into the world of coding, choosing a programming language that stands the test of time is crucial for a sustainable and rewarding career.
According to a recent Splunk article, IT job salaries are on an upward trend and expected to continue growing, making it an opportune time to delve into the field of Software Engineering. Let's explore some enticing options that might shape your journey into becoming a Software Developer.
The earning potential remains promising, and diving into a career as a Software Engineer seems like a worthwhile investment. Moreover, keeping abreast of trends like AI/ML and Prompt Engineering will ensure you stay ahead of the curve.
1. esProc SPL:
Embark on your coding journey with esProc SPL, a groundbreaking language tailored for advanced data computing. Its high efficiency in handling massive datasets makes it an invaluable tool in today's data-driven world.
🚀 Groundbreaking Language for Data Computing: Tailored for advanced data computing, excelling in handling massive datasets efficiently.
💡 High-Efficiency Solution: Ideal for data-intensive tasks in today's data-driven environment.
🌐 Versatile Data Processing: Functions as a data warehouse and computing middleware, catering to various data computing needs.
🔗 Grid-Style Coding and JVM-based: Unique grid-style coding ensures clarity, while being JVM-based provides extensive functionality.
🧩 SQL-Style Computations Without Databases: Enables SQL-style computations directly on data, offering flexibility and power in data manipulation.
Start esProc SPL if you can.
2. JavaScript:
Let's face it – JavaScript is here to stay. It's an entire ecosystem where you can create Web Apps, PWA's, Mobile Apps, Desktop Apps, Server-side code with Node.js, and static site generators. Learning it in 2024 opens up numerous job opportunities and allows you to build cool tools for various platforms.
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 LiveScript. 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.
Javascript is the most popular programming language in the world and is in high demand among various organizations. The average Java developer earns around $112,152 each year.
Level: | Beginner to Intermediate |
Skills Needed: | HTML and CSS to define the content and layout of web pages |
Platform: | Cross-platform (desktop, mobile, web) |
Popularity Among Programmers: | The most popular programming language in the world |
Benefits: |
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Downsides: | Can sometimes be interpreted differently by different browsers which makes it difficult to write cross-browser code. |
Degree of Use: | Widely used; highly applicable |
Annual Salary Projection: | $112,152 |
3. Python:
Known for its simplicity, Python is a joy for beginners. Widely used in web development, data science, AI, and machine learning, it's a versatile language. Explore outstanding libraries like TensorFlow or PyTorch for advancements in AI and ML.
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. 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. Python developers earn average annual salaries of about $109,092.
Level: | Beginner – Python enables a beginner to become productive quickly |
Skills Needed: | Problem-solving, abstract thinking |
Platform: | Web, Desktop |
Popularity Among Programmers: | Becoming continuously more popular |
Benefits: |
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Downsides: | Doesn’t start with programming basics (known to abstract too many important basic concepts) |
Popularity: | Becoming continuously more popular both in technical education and business uses |
Degree of Use: | Coding skills widely used; popular in both technical education and business use |
Annual Salary Projection: | $109,092 |
4. Flutter (Dart):
Powered by Dart programming language, Flutter is gaining traction daily. A perfect choice for building natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.
5. Go (Golang):
Efficient and scalable, Go was created by Google's experts and is ideal for cloud-based applications. If you're venturing into Cloud Development, this language is a great starting point for cloud computing and microservices.
Go was developed by Google in 2007 for APIs and web applications. Go has recently become one of the fastest-growing programming languages due to its simplicity, as well as its ability to handle multicore and networked systems and massive codebases.
Go, also known as Golang, was created to meet the needs of programmers working on large projects. It has gained popularity among many large IT companies thanks to its simple and modern structure and syntax familiarity. Companies using Go as their programming language include Google, Uber, Twitch, Dropbox, among many others. Go is also gaining in popularity among data scientists because of its agility and performance.
Go developers can earn an average annual salary of $141,654, and hitting up to $261,000.
Level: | Beginner to intermediate |
Skills Needed: | Easy to learn if you already know at least one other programming language; otherwise, you just need patience and a willingness to learn. |
Platform: | Cross-platform, mainly desktop |
Popularity Among Programmers: | Not as popular as Java or Python, but it has been increasing in popularity |
Benefits: |
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Downsides: | No generics (which means you may end up writing more code than you would in other languages); very little library support; Go developer community is not very robust or supportive |
Degree of Use: | Widely used, particular for Google applications (created at Google) |
Annual Salary Projection: | $141,654 |
6. Rust:
Rust's popularity in backend development is on the rise due to its performance, safety, and system-level programming capabilities. Its memory safety features make it a go-to for high-performance applications.
Rust is a programming language designed to be safe, concurrent, and practical. It is a systems programming language that runs blazingly fast, prevents segfaults, and guarantees thread safety. Rust is also memory-efficient: it uses minimal memory, making it ideal for embedded systems.
Benefits of Rust
Rust is a fast and efficient language used to create high-performance applications.
Rust is also a safe and reliable language, which makes it perfect for developing mission-critical software.
Additionally, Rust is easy to learn and use and has a great community of developers who are always willing to help.
Cons of Rust
While Rust has many features that make it an attractive language, there are some drawbacks to using it.
There needs to be more support or documentation available for other languages because it is a new language, making it difficult to learn and use Rust.
Additionally, Rust only supports some platforms, and it can be challenging to integrate with existing codebases.
7. Kotlin:
Interoperable with Java, Kotlin is gaining traction in Android app development. Its popularity remains steadfast, making it a valuable addition to your skill set.
Kotlin is a general-purpose programming language originally developed and unveiled as Project Kotlin by JetBrains in 2011. The first version was officially released in 2016. It is interoperable with Java and supports functional programming languages.
Kotlin is used extensively for Android apps, web application, desktop application, and server-side application development. Kotlin was built to be better than Java, and people who use this language are convinced. Most of the Google applications are based on Kotlin. Some companies using Kotlin as their programming language include Coursera, Pinterest, PostMates among many others.
Kotlin developers earn an average of $136,000 a year, with the potential to earn up to $171,500.
Level: | Intermediate to advanced |
Skills Needed: | Prior experience with programming languages, particularly Java |
Platform: | Web, Mobile, Desktop, Server |
Popularity Among Programmers: | Increasingly popular; used for Android applications |
Benefits: |
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Downsides: | Fluctuating compilation speed; no static keyword in Kotlin |
Degree of Use: | Widely used; highly applicable |
Annual Salary Projection: | $136,000 |
8. Swift:
As Apple's programming language, Swift is your ticket to iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS app development. Ideal for those eyeing a career within the Apple ecosystem.
A few years ago, Swift made the top 10 in the monthly TIOBE Index ranking of popular programming languages. Apple developed Swift in 2014 for Linux and Mac applications.
An open-source programming language that is easy to learn, Swift supports almost everything from the programming language Objective-C. Swift requires fewer coding skills compared with other programming languages, and it can be used with IBM Swift Sandbox and IBM Bluemix. Swift is used in popular iOS apps like WordPress, Mozilla Firefox, SoundCloud, and even in the game Flappy Bird. Professionals who develop iOS applications take home average annual salaries of around $106,652.
Level: | Beginner to intermediate |
Skills Needed: | Willingness to spend time reading tutorials (which are widely available); no prior experience with programming languages required |
Platform: | Mobile (Apple iOS apps, specifically) |
Popularity Among Programmers: | Gaining in popularity, especially among Apple iOS application developers |
Benefits: |
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Downsides: | Still a young language; poor interoperability with third party tools; lacks support for earlier versions of iOS |
Degree of Use: | Used extensively for creating iOS apps used on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch |
Annual Salary Projection: | $109,652 |
9. C Sharp(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. C# developers earn around $111,760 per year.
Level: | Intermediate |
Skills Needed: | A basic understanding of how to write code |
Platform: | Cross-platform, including mobile and enterprise software applications |
Popularity Among Programmers: | Relatively popular, but not as popular as Java (its closest rival) |
Benefits: |
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Downsides: | Less flexible, as it depends on Microsoft’s .Net framework; poor x-platform GUI |
Degree of Use: | Used by roughly one-third of all software developers, particularly relevant for Microsoft developers |
Annual Salary Projection: | $111,760 |
10. PHP:
Despite being called the most hated language, PHP is making a comeback, especially with frameworks like Laravel. It integrates well with web development and can be embedded into HTML.
Embrace the possibilities of 2024 and take charge of your coding journey.
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.
PHP is considered a relatively easy language to learn for beginning developers. PHP professionals have access to several dedicated online communities, making it easy to get support and answers to questions.
On average, PHP programmers earn average annual salaries of about $107,409.
Level: | Beginner to intermediate |
Skills Needed: | Simple if you have a background in programming languages, but relatively easy to learn for newcomers |
Platform: | Cross-platform (desktop, mobile, web) |
Popularity Among Programmers: | Used by nearly 80% of all active websites, so it’s very popular with web developers |
Benefits: |
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Downsides: | Not very secure; not well-suited for large applications; poor error-handling; cannot support a large number of apps |
Degree of Use: | While it’s used by the vast majority of websites, its use is declining |
Annual Salary Projection: | $107,409 |
How to Get Started:
In the vast world of programming languages, only a handful make it to the coveted list of must-know languages. The ones highlighted above stand out as prime choices for aspiring programmers. Whether you're kickstarting a programming career, transitioning from another field, or aiming for career advancement, learning one of these languages is a stellar starting point for your journey. With courses tailored to cater from Python beginners to seasoned Java enthusiasts, finding the right fit for you is a breeze.
Once you've made the decision to delve into a new language, Cysparks Upskilling in Partnership with Alison is your go-to destination for top-notch skill learning and certification. Offering programs in several pivotal languages—Java, python, Javascript, C, C#, Python, Swift, and Ruby—our content, crafted by industry leaders, emphasizes hands-on learning and provides 24x7 support. Not only will you master the language, but our certifications will also gain invaluable skills in the realm of the fast evolving technology landscape
Feel free to drop any questions in the comments section below, and our team will be sure to get back to you promptly.
FAQs:
What are the top programming languages to learn in 2024?
In 2024, consider learning Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, and TypeScript.
Which programming language is best for beginners?
Python is an excellent choice for beginners due to its simple syntax, readability, and extensive community support.
What is the most in-demand programming language for web development?
JavaScript remains the most in-demand language for web development, powering interactivity and functionality.
Which language is widely used for mobile app development?
Swift (for iOS) and Kotlin (for Android) dominate mobile app development.
What programming language is preferred for data analysis and machine learning?
Python excels in data analysis and machine learning with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and TensorFlow.
Which programming language is known for its speed and performance?
C++ is renowned for speed and performance, ideal for system-level programming and resource-intensive applications.
Is learning older languages like C and Java in 2024 worth it?
Yes, learning C and Java remains valuable, forming the backbone of many applications and systems.
What are the main advantages of learning a versatile language like Python?
Python's versatility spans web development, data science, machine learning, automation, and scientific computing.
Which programming language is best suited for game development?
C#, C++, and Python (with Unity and Pygame frameworks) are popular for game development.
What are some popular languages for backend web development?
Python (Django, Flask), JavaScript (Node.js), Ruby (Ruby on Rails), and PHP (Laravel) are popular for backend web development.
Is Rust a good language for systems programming?
Yes, Rust is excellent for systems programming, combining low-level control with high-level safety features.
Which language should I learn for a career in cybersecurity?
Python or C is beneficial for cybersecurity due to their use in scripting and exploit development.
Are there beginner-friendly resources for learning popular programming languages?
Yes, many online platforms offer beginner-friendly tutorials and courses for languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript.
Is it necessary to learn multiple programming languages for a successful career?
While specializing in one language is common, exposure to multiple languages can enhance adaptability in the tech industry.
What is the best way to stay updated with the latest trends in programming languages?
Stay updated by following industry blogs, attending tech conferences, participating in online forums, and joining developer communities on social media. Also consider being part of the Cysparks Community
Check out Cysparks Upskill program for resources to upskill and elevate your programming prowess. Happy coding! 🚀
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