The Most In-Demand Programming Languages in 2022
Introduction
Usually, when we want to start learning to program, the first question that will cross our minds is which is the best programming language to learn. It is important to know right from the start that there is no “perfect” programming language. Each programming language has its application for different areas, which means that choosing the best programming language for you depends on many factors.
Below we will go through the most in-demand programming languages in 2022.
1. Python
Python is the most wanted programming language in the tech industry. The reason for this is that it is a very versatile language. Python empowers developers to use different programming styles like functional, object-oriented, reflective programming, etc. It can be used for machine learning, web development, big data, and even app development. Python is very simple and ideal for beginners. However, its biggest advantage is in libraries. It is possible to find a Python library for almost any task.
Python is most often used for:
- Data Science
- Back-end Development
- App Development
If you are starting programming and are interested in some of these areas Python could be a good choice for you.
2. JavaScript
JavaScript is currently the most popular language in the world and the most sought after by hiring managers. This is not a coincidence, the reason for this is that this language is used by all browsers and there is no steep learning curve. Due to its popularity, there are many learning resources such as programming communities, courses, guides, and support from more experienced developers. JavaScript is used to manage the behavior of the website so that any interaction with the website takes place via JavaScript.
Most large companies use JavaScript frameworks such as React, Angular, Vue for front-end, and Node.js JavaScript runtime for back-end.
In addition to JavaScript, TypeScript is often mentioned. TypeScript is JavaScript with additional functionality, we can say that it is a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing and other features. In other words, it makes JavaScript code cleaner, more correct, and more secure.
JavaScript is most often used for:
- Web Development
- Web Servers
- Game Development
- Mobile Applications
- Microservices
If you are interested in some of these areas and have a basic programming background, JavaScript and TypeScript may be good choices for you.
3. Java
Java is an object-oriented programming language that has long been number one and is used by more than 3 billion devices. Today it is also one of the top 5 programming languages. Its popularity is not accidental, Java is one of the most powerful programming languages and is used for almost everything, desktop applications, web development, mobile applications, AI, cloud applications, and many others. It has incredible security and can handle huge amounts of data making it ideal for the financial sector. Java is a versatile programming language and is therefore attractive to beginners. Also, once written, the application will work on any operating system.
If you’ve researched the Java programming language, you’ve probably heard of Kotlin. It is a cross-platform programming language and is used for application development, but its priority is currently android applications. It is developing very fast and is currently more popular than Java when it comes to android applications.
Java is most often used for:
- E-Commerce
- Finance
- Application Development
Java has always been a great programming language that enables high salaries, great opportunities, good progress, and a lot of work. If you are interested in one of these areas, Java could be your right choice. However, if your goal is to make android applications, Kotlin may be a better choice right now.
4. C#
C# is an object-oriented programming language that is an improved version of the C++ programming language. It runs on the .NET framework developed by Microsoft. In addition to the fact that this programming language is in demand, it also has a huge community that helps those who are learning C#. Since this is a 2000 programming language it certainly has better support and documentation for learning than some newer programming languages.
C# is ideal for creating desktop applications and games. Many of the most popular mobile games are made in C#. This programming language is in great demand on a global level.
In addition to the C# programming language, there are C and C++ that are also widely used.
C is most commonly used in game engines, core AI engines, operating systems when as much power and efficiency as possible is required. C is a procedural programming language and does not have object-oriented capabilities.
C++ is C with the ability to write object-oriented code. C and C++ are low-level programming languages which means they run closer to the CPU, so running code is super fast. However, writing code is longer and more complex and is therefore only used for performance-critical applications that rely on speed and efficient memory management.
C# is most often used for:
- Game Development
- Desktop / Web / Mobile Applications
- Virtual Reality (VR)
If you are interested in some of these areas and have a desire to learn to program, C# is a well-designed programming language that can give you an amazing career in 2022. Also, if you opt for C or C++ you will not go wrong. C# is currently more popular because it is easier to learn and a more modern programming language. C# is a Microsoft version of the Java programming language.
5. PHP
PHP was primarily developed as a template language that was later refined to be a complete programming language. Due to that, PHP had certain shortcomings, based on which it had a bad reputation for some time. However, PHP is the most popular server-side programming language in the world for creating web applications. All those flaws that PHP had were solved a long time ago. Large projects such as Facebook, WordPress, Wikipedia, and many others have been developed in PHP. This programming language is scalable and very fast, even faster than Python, and good in CPU usage. PHP has always been in the top 10 programming languages so that will not change for sure.
PHP is most often used for:
- Web Servers
If you are interested in web development but more back-end than front-end, PHP could be a great choice to learn to program. Also, if you already have some prior knowledge of JavaScript, you can choose Node.js to shorten the path.
6. R
R is a cross-platform programming language for statistical and graphic programming that has great support and is rapidly evolving. As more and more data is used in any business the need for data analysts is great. The R programming language plays a major role in data analysis. Companies of all sizes of any industry use it to extract insights from the large amount of daily data they generate. Statisticians and data miners also use it for data analysis. R is also popular in academic education, scientists and researchers use it to analyze the results of experiments.
R is most often used for:
- Statistical Inference
- Data Analysis
- Machine Learning
Currently, there is a great shortage of people in this domain, by learning this language you can secure a great career.
7. Swift
Swift is a general-purpose programming language developed by Apple. It is used to create applications for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and many others. Due to the closed Apple ecosystem, its popularity is not pronounced, but Swift is considered a top-level programming language. Swift is efficient, easy to use, and very fast. Apple used to use Objective C, and Swift is slowly becoming a replacement for Objective C. Does that mean that Objective C is dead? Of course not, both Apple’s main macOS and iOS platforms rely on Objective C.
Swift is most often used for:
- iOS Applications
- macOS Desktop Applications
- Apple Watch Development
- Apple TV Development
If you are a fan of Apple products and want to enter their ecosystem then Swift is the best choice for you.
Conclusion
If we learn a programming language well, does that mean that we will use that programming language at work tomorrow?
We have previously stated that choosing the best programming language for you depends on many factors. Let’s see what these factors are.
In what area is this programming language used and what is its purpose?
When we talk about areas of interest, of course, we mean IT areas. So, it is important to know what our area of interest is and to look for a job in that area. Choosing the right area narrows the choice of programming languages.
What are the market demands?
Market demands dictate company demands. This means that the choice of the programming language will always depend on the requirements of the company, so it does not necessarily mean that you will use the programming language at work that you have learned.
What if I choose one programming language and later that language is not popular or is not required by the company?
This is something that happens often, especially today as programming is evolving very fast and needs to be constantly learned. New technologies are constantly coming out which means you’ll have to learn new technologies at work tomorrow that you may not have learned by now and that’s normal.
What you need to understand is that while learning to program you are not just learning a programming language but developing a special way of thinking. The essence is to develop a special way of thinking and learn the basics of programming in any programming language, it is certainly better to choose one of the most popular in your area of interest.
So, don’t be afraid when choosing a programming language, even if you make a mistake, you have gained experience that you can easily transfer to another programming language in that field later.
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