The Six Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2020
Did you know that the average salary for a computer programmer in the UK is £47k, according to Adzuna?
Programmers have never been more popular as they are at the moment. Websites, mobile apps and even home appliances are all dependent on code, and this demand is only set to grow over time!
If you are looking to change careers or improve your job prospects, learning a programming language is a fantastic option.
However, there are a lot of different languages out there. You may be wondering which one will be the best one to learn in order to help your career to grow.
We’ve selected the six best programming languages that will help to supercharge your job prospects and open the door to an exciting new career.
1. Python
Ideal for: People who want to take the first step on the programming ladder
Python was released in 1991 and although you may think it was named after the snake, it is actually named after the famous 1970s comic troupe!
If you are new to coding and don’t have much experience, Python is a great place to start. Not only is it easy to learn, but it is used across a wide range of systems and platforms. Machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence are all new technologies that extensively use Python.
A wide range of companies use Python including NASA, Netflix and Google. In fact, Guido Van Rossum, the creator of Python, worked at Google for several years!
2. Java
Ideal for: People who want to develop an awesome mobile app!
Java (not to be confused with JavaScript) was released in 1995 and is a popular choice for programming server-side applications. By server-side, we mean the code behind the scenes rather than what the client sees on their website, tablet or mobile phone (this is known as client-side)
Java is currently extremely popular in the development of Android apps, as well as desktop applications for businesses.
Difficulty-wise, Java is somewhere in the middle. It’s a little harder to learn than Python, but there are trickier programming languages out there.
3. C and C++
Ideal for: People who want to be the next big video game developer
C was devised in the 1970s, making it the oldest programming language still in use today. C++ was launched in the 1990s as an enhanced version, and powers software including Adobe and Firefox.
These two programming languages are commonly used to develop computer games, making them the perfect languages to learn if you are looking to create the next big gaming sensation!
C and C++ are challenging languages to learn, but programmers are in extremely high demand, with the best developers earning on average £73k, according to Adzuna.
4. Ruby
Ideal for: People who want to launch a new online business quickly and efficiently
Created in Japan in the 1990s, Ruby is a popular programming language to learn as it is easy to understand, very intuitive and has a supportive online community behind it.
Ruby is used to create ‘Ruby on Rails’, a web application framework used to structure web pages and databases.
As it is easy to pick up and run with, Ruby is popular with a lot of start-ups, with companies like Airbnb and Shopify using Ruby to build their websites.
5. PHP
Ideal for: People who want to learn a simple language used across a wide range of systems
PHP is short for Hypertext Processor and was invented in 1994. It’s used by some of the world’s largest websites, including Facebook, Wikipedia and WordPress.
It’s seen as an easy programming language to learn and operate, but is also great for more experienced programmers as it offers a lot more advanced features too.
Like Java, PHP is used to power the back end of applications and content management systems worldwide. In fact, 79.0% of all websites are using PHP!
6. Go
Ideal for: People who want to learn the next big programming language
The youngest language on this list, Go (or GoLang) was created in 2009 by developers at Google.
Based on C, it’s seen as an easy language to learn, especially if you have prior experience of C or C++.
It’s used by a variety of companies including Apple, BBC and the New York Times.
In summary: Which programming language is right for me?
We hope that this short guide has given you an insight into which language is right for your current needs and future career.
Although there are a lot of languages out there at the moment, it is best to learn one that has a lot of staying power. All the languages on this list have been around for at least ten years and are still in use today.
After all, you don’t want to spend time and money learning a language, only for it to become obsolete as soon as you have your accreditation and are ready to start coding!
The great thing about learning a programming language is that it is a lot like learning a musical instrument. Once you have learned one, it will be a lot easier to pick up another if you want to!
All programming languages can be learned online, making them the ideal choice if you are not able to attend a college or university, or want to learn how to code around your current job and circumstances.
Want to find out more about learning a programming language?
If after reading this, you are interested in learning a brand-new programming language, we are here to help.
We offer a wide range of online courses. No matter your level of experience or hours you have available to learn, we have the perfect course for your needs.
Contact us today to find out which language is right for your needs and the learning options that are available.