Since the personal computer made itself part and parcel of our daily lives, our dependency on technology has only been increasing. We now live in a highly digitized environment, where everything from our gadgets, smart devices, to even home appliances are interconnected and help make our lives simpler.
Programming languages play a big role in making these modern features a possibility, enabling humans to interact with machines to perform specific tasks.
With the future enabling more of such possibilities, software development and programming languages will play a major role in our personal life and business processes.
According to Developer Nation, there are 26.9 million software developers worldwide right now, and the industry is anticipated to grow further by 22%. The average annual salary of a software developer is $73,976, with unique perks that make it a highly lucrative career option.
If you have a background in development or have expertise in some of the top programming languages, you will be poised for success and have a promising career in 2024.
But with over 700 programming languages already in existence, it can be very confusing for beginners and those just starting their career in programming to know precisely which skills and programming language they should focus on.
To help you make this decision and understand some of the best programming languages to learn, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 programming languages based on current demand and future scope.
The most popular programming languages to learn in 2024
1. Python
The Python programming language is one of the most popular and easy programming languages for beginners to learn.
Python is a free, open-source programming language used extensively for app development, deep learning applications, 2D and 3D animations, and scientific and computational applications.
It is easy to integrate with web services, has a user-friendly GUI-based desktop application, and supports common commands and tasks. It also has an extensive library and developer forums on platforms like Reddit, StackOverflow, and others.
Python is the best programming language to learn, according to the TIOBE and PYPL Indexes, with a strong hiring demand. Top companies are aggressively hiring Python developers, and as of May 2022, the average Python developer can get an annual salary of up to $114,578.
This makes it ideal for Python programming beginners, who can quickly learn the programming language and maximize their chances of getting hired by a top company.
Where is Python used?
- Backend development
- App development
- Machine learning and deep learning applications
Top companies that use Python
- YouTube
- Quora
- Abacus
- FreeCAD
- Used for gaming development of popular video games like Civilization IV, Vegas Trike, Toontown
- 2D and 3D animations in apps like Blender, Inkspace, and Autodesk
Pros of Python
- Has an extensive library and open-source frameworks that support multiple applications
- GUI support
- It can be used with other applications built using Java and C and has variants like JPython, CPython, etc.
- Highly versatile use cases ranging from data science, web development, app development, game development, IoT, and more
- Python is used to write automation scripts, making it highly effective in machine learning and artificial intelligence programs
Cons of Python
- Python programming language uses a high number of resources, which end up taking a lot of space and require high memory consumption
- Python does not run natively on mobile devices. To fill this void, iOS development is performed with Swift while Android is performed using Kotlin or Java
- Running multithreaded programs is not possible on Python
Who should learn Python?
- Software Engineers
- Data Scientists
- App Developers
- Ethical Hackers or Data Security Experts
2. JavaScript
A backend language used by 97% of websites, JavaScript is one of the core languages in the technology world, especially when it comes to the World Wide Web.
JavaScript, a high-level programming language that came into existence in 1995, was initially meant only for web browsers. However, as time passed, it has evolved to be used widely in multiple applications such as gaming, mobile, web, and more.
JavaScript is the most common coding language today and the easiest programming language for beginners.
It also has a sizeable online community and resources with top-notch usability, making it one of the most popular programming languages in 2024.
Where is JavaScript used?
- Web development
- Game development
- Mobile app development
Top companies that use JavaScript
- Microsoft
- PayPal
- Netflix
- Uber
- eBay
- Walmart
Pros of JavaScript
- One of the easiest programming languages to learn
- Platform independent and provides excellent controls over the web page
- Well-organized codebase and readily available resources with a large community
- Can run easily on the client-side browser with no pre-installations required
- Reduces demand on the website server
Cons of JavaScript
- As the program code executes on the client-side computer, it can sometimes be used for malicious purposes. This is why most browsers disable Javascript from unknown sources.
- Each browser interprets JavaScript differently, making it challenging to write cross-browser code.
Who should learn JavaScript?
- Web Developers
- App Developers
- Back-end Engineer
- Mobile App Developers
- Game Developers
3. Go
Developed by Google, Go is a programming language that is used for building APIs and web applications. The language came into existence in 2007 and was created to be used specifically to handle multicore and networked systems and massive codebases.
Go is one of the fastest-growing programming languages, widely used for its agility and performance. Plus, Go developers are in huge demand, especially with Google and other top companies.
According to Glassdoor, a Go developer’s average annual salary is $141,654, making it the future of programming languages. So, if you are looking to learn a language to future-proof your career, you can think about learning Go in 2024.
Where is Go used?
- Web development
- Game development
- Mobile app development
- Network programming
- Big data management
Top Companies that use Go
- Dropbox
- Twitch
- BBC
- Medium
- Uber
Pros of Go
- Go is easy to learn for beginners
- It supports automation processes and is widely used in AI and ML programming
- Considered a minimalist language as it has a transparent code that is simple and easy to use
- Compatible with several applications, operating systems, and devices
Cons of Go
- Programs running GoLang require high memory and processing power, even for extremely simple programs
- Since it is a modern language, the Go developer community is not as extensive and responsive as that of other languages
Who should learn Go?
- Data Scientists
- Application Developers
- Web Developers
4. Java
Java is arguably one of the most popular programming languages and has been in use for a long time.
It is currently being used in over 3 billion devices, ranging from desktop applications, mobile applications, web development, cloud applications, artificial intelligence, and more.
It is a web and application development language widely adopted in Big Data and is the third most sought-after language for hiring globally.
The popularity of Java has a lot to do with its open-source framework, extensive library, and object-oriented structure that allows developers to Write Once Run Anywhere (WORA).
This makes the apps built using Java extremely scalable and portable across platforms, operating systems, and devices.
Where is Java used?
- eCommerce
- App development
- Mobile development
- Web development
Top companies that use Java
- Amazon
- YouTube
- Adobe
- Flipkart
Pros of Java
- A highly scalable object-oriented programming language, platform-independent, and offers WORA capabilities
- Highly secure frameworks
- Extensive library and resources
- Widely used in multiple applications and sectors
Cons of Java
- Slightly complex to learn for beginners
- Java programming requires multiple complex syntaxes, leading to programmers preferring C++ or Python
- It does not have a backup facility
- The GUI of Java is not up to the latest standards that are offered by modern languages like Python, R, C#, and others
Who should learn Java?
- App Developers
- Mobile Developers
- Web Developers
- Big Data Developers
- AI/ML Developers
5. Kotlin
Unveiled in 2011 by JetBrains, the first version of this general-purpose programming language was released in 2016.
Kotlin is interoperable with Java and other functional programming languages and is primarily used for Android app development, web app development, and server-side app development.
Although relatively lesser known, Kotlin developers are in huge demand given their niche expertise and can earn an average of $136,000 annually.
Where is Kotlin used?
- Server-side development
- Client-side web development
- Android applications
Top companies that use Kotlin
- Coursera
- Uber
- Trello
- Amazon
Pros of Kotlin
- Lighter than Java and other programming languages, making it apt for mobile
- Easy to adopt and fully compatible with Java
- Completely interoperable
- Enhanced security features and concise code structure
Cons of Kotlin
- Fluctuations in compilation speeds
- No static keyword
- Currently restricted to the Android platform
Who should learn Kotlin?
- Android Developers
- Mobile Developers
- App Developers
6. PHP
PHP is a general-purpose scripting language that continues to hold importance even today.
PHP was among the first server-side languages that could work with HTML to add multiple features to a website and is still used by PHP developers to a large extent.
Given its usability and ease of use, even today, a notable 80% of websites globally use PHP as their server-side programming language.
Where is PHP used?
- Website development
Top Companies that use PHP
- Yahoo
- Wikipedia
Pros of PHP
- Simple and easy to learn
- Highly secure against cyberattacks
- Compiles faster compared to other programming languages
Cons of PHP
- Limited functionality for modern requirements
- Cannot support a large number of apps
Who should learn PHP?
- Web Developers
- Server-Side Programmers
7. C#
C# is a programming language that works on the .NET framework and was developed by Microsoft in 2000. The language works on the C++ programming framework and is highly effective in making desktop applications and games.
C# is best suited for Windows, Android, and iOS, which is still being used to make 34% of mobile games. The C# framework also forms the basis of 90% of Samsung Gear and 53% of all Oculus Rift VR.
Where is C# used?
- Game Development
- Desktop Application Development
- Mobile Application Development
- Virtual Reality
Top Companies that use C#
- Bing
- Dell
- Microsoft Visual Studio
- MarketWatch
- Accenture
- Alibaba Travels
Pros of C#
- Easy to learn for beginners
- It can be fully integrated with .NET libraries
- Scalable and interoperable
- Open source with an extensive library and support
Cons of C#
- Poor GUI
- Less flexible compared to other programming languages due to its dependency on the .NET framework
Who should learn C#?
- App Developers
- Game Developers
8. Swift
An open-source programming language developed by Apple, Swift is primarily used to create Linux and Mac applications and supports the programming language Objective-C.
Swift requires low coding skills compared to other programming languages, making it highly easy to use and implement.
While most iOS applications are developed using Swift, the famous game Flappy Bird was also developed using Swift, which makes it an excellent choice for those who want to explore a career in app development for the iOS ecosystem.
Where is Swift used?
- IBM
- WordPress
- SoundCloud
- Mozilla Firefox
Pros of Swift
- Easy to learn and requires relatively low coding skills
- Faster compiling speed compared to other languages
