Coding is one of the hugely in-demand skills which dominates the current job market. The art of programming is changing with time, and many programming languages have gained popularity over the years. It has now become difficult for professionals to understand which programming language they should learn to take the next big leap in their career.
To help you make an informed decision, this article gives you an idea of all the programming languages that are currently attracting developers to stand out from the crowd. That said, all languages have their pros and cons, and no one language can be favored as the best language. Developers usually consider factors like salary prospects, job opportunities, future growth, etc. while selecting which programming language to learn.
So, here goes the list:
Top 8 Programming Languages You Should Learn
R Programming
It is an open-source programming language used in statistical computing and advanced data analytics. Companies are now looking for data scientists skilled in R for effective data visualization. According to Payscale, an R programmer earns an average salary of $75,489 in the U.S. R has become the primary analysis tool for renowned companies like Microsoft, Facebook, Airbnb, Twitter, and more for their business initiatives.
Scala
Designed by Martin Odersky, Scala is a general-purpose programming language which supports object-oriented and functional programming approach. Big Data developers particularly use Scala while working on Spark projects. Learning Scala helps you explore different opportunities in the IT industry. With the growing popularity of Apache Spark (which uses Scala) among data scientists, Scala has become a powerful language in the world of analytics.
Python
If you are planning to start a career in the field of Data Science, then learning Python is a must. Since its inception in 1991, Python has gone a long way to become one of the most sought after skills among IT professionals. Python maintained its top spot in IEEE Spectrum's survey on the 2018 Top Programming Languages. Besides, Data Scientist is ranked no. 1 in 50 Best Jobs in America for 2019, and it explains the need for professionals to master Python.
Swift
Swift is the ideal language to learn for people willing to begin their career in iOS app development. Launched by Apple Inc. in 2014, Swift has been successful in grabbing the interest of many programmers for developing applications as it is safer, faster, and more expressive than the Objective-C language. As per RedMonk, Swift is the fastest-growing programming language, even though it was released a few years ago.
Node.js
Popular for developing highly scalable server-side applications using JavaScript, Node.js is widely used by enterprise-level organizations. From real-time audio or video encoding to developing real-time applications like gaming, chats, etc., Node.js offers a plethora of effective solutions to the organizations. This makes Node.js one of the most preferred skills for software developers.
React.js
React.js has enjoyed front end developer's attention ever since it was launched. Developers with React.js skills earn an average salary of $120,000 per year in the U.S. This Javascript library is basically used for developing user interfaces. It can be effectively used to build iOS and Android applications also.
Javascript
According to a survey conducted by Stack Overflow, Javascript ranked as the top technology in full-stack, front-end, and back-end development. Known to make a website interactive, Javascript enables client-side processing and reduces the required processing power. This is the main reason why Javascript is still a go-to language among front-end developers.
SQL
Designed to interact with a database, Structured Query Language or SQL is a language that is still recommended for IT professionals to master. Though SQL dates back to the 1970s, professionals can't ignore learning it if they wish to make a career in data. It always forms a part of the essential skills in most of the data jobs posted by employers. The power of SQL lies in the fact that many companies now rely on Big Data Analytics for their growth plans and prefer professionals who can use SQL to manipulate databases and provide meaningful insights quickly.
What next?
According to a survey conducted in 2018, Java, Javascript, and Python were some of the languages that had the highest job postings in Indeed job portal. If you wish to know all about Developer's choice from favorite technology to their preferred jobs, you can refer to Stack Overflow's Developer survey and get a detailed report.
Now that you have learned what programming languages are beneficial for your career, you should know what are the reliable resources to learn them.
Training and related courses like Python for Data Science, Apache Spark and Scala, Data Science with R programming will help you enhance your knowledge and validate your understanding of the languages.
Apart from training, programmers can also join some online communities or forums which can help them interact with professionals working in the same domain and get solutions to any problem they face. Some of the popular platforms are:
- HTML5 Rocks
- GitHub
- Codesnipp.it
- StackOverflow
- Kaggle
Developers will continue to be in demand in the tech world. But, it is crucial to remain competitive in the continuously changing domain of Information Technology. While learning a new programming language may be a great career move, deciding which language to be added to your skillset is a difficult task. The strategy to choose a specific language may vary among individuals. You can make a decision based on your interests, the project you are working on, or your current job role. Regardless of the choice you make, the primary aim should be to upgrade yourself and move ahead in your IT career.
