Browse by Domains

Top 13 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024

The IT sector has seen an increase in demand for professionals with the top programming languages. Wish to upskill but don’t know which programming language to learn? Here’s a list of the best programming languages to learn in 2022 and earn programming certificates.

Introduction

Several IT jobs today are demanding for their employees to have a solid grasp of the top programming languages – yes, more than one. If you are someone who is looking to advance in your career and are looking for the best programming language to learn, this would be the right guide for you. 

You will have to consider several aspects such as willingness to learn, difficulty level, existing knowledge, your reason to learn the top programming languages, and more. Whether you want to get a certification in programming or learn how to develop mobile applications, there is a need to learn the best programming language. Through this blog, we will talk about the best programming language to learn in 2022, the annual salary projection, and its complexity. 

For freshers and graduates looking to break into the world of data science, picking the right programming language can be a make or break decision. This guide to programming languages and their uses will help enhance students’ knowledge of data science-related languages and encourage them to make the right choice.

Top 13 Programming Languages to Learn in 2024

Here are the best programming language to learn in 2022 if you wish to stay at par with the ever-changing tech environment.

  1. Python
  2. Java
  3. Kotlin
  4. Swift
  5. C#
  6. C and C++
  7. Go
  8. PHP
  9. MatLab
  10. R
  11. Scala
  12. Ruby
  13. TypeScript

1. Python

One of the most commonly used programming languages today, Python has quickly evolved to be the language of choice for most beginners. This is due to its ease in readability. Python is a free, open-source programming language and has easy integration processes. It is user-friendly and has GUI-based desktop applications. Python can be used in various applications such as 2D and 3D imaging and animation packages such as Autodesk, Inkscape, and Blender. Video games such as Vegas Trike, and Civilization IV are also created with the help of Python programming. It can be useful for scientific and computational application processes and also popular sites such as YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and more.

The annual salary of a Python developer is close to $72,500, according to glassdoor. 

Also Read: Top 10 Uses of Python in Real World with Examples

2. Java

Java is a perennial programming language that has been used for years in the software industry. It is a general-purpose programming language that is object oriented and can be used regardless of the platform. (e.g., Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, etc.). This is because of its Write Once, Run Anywhere (WORA) capability. Due to this, java is known to work on cross platform functionality. There are currently 3 billion devices that are running applications that are built with Java. Java is widely used in application and web development, it is also used in big data, and in the backend of popular sites such as Twitter, Google, Amazon, and YouTube. There are new java frameworks such as Hibernate, and Spring. These frameworks are also becoming popular among professionals who wish to learn programming languages. Compared to Python, Java is a bit more complex to learn, but professionals who are experienced with this language are in high demand.

As a java developer, you can earn up to $79,000 each year, according to glassdoor. 

3. Kotlin

Another general-purpose language, Kotlin was originally developed by JetBrains in 2011. However, the first version of Kotlin was released in 2016 and is interoperable with functional programming languages and Java. Kotlin has several applications and can be used for desktop applications, web applications, android applications, and server-side application development too. Several applications by Google are based on Kotlin and companies such as PostMates and Coursera are using Kotlin as their primary language.

As a Kotlin developer, you can earn an average salary of $136,000 a year, and can go up to $171,500, according to ziprecruiter. To gain an in-depth understanding about Kotlin, take up free kotlin courses and enhance your knowledge about the same.

4. Swift

Swift was developed by Apple in 2014 for Linux and Mac applications. Swift is an open-source programming language that requires lesser coding skills when compared to some of the other programming languages. Swift can be used with IBM Swift Sandbox and IBM Bluemix and is also used in popular areas such as WordPress, Firefox, Mozilla, and SoundCloud.

Professionals with programming knowledge in Swift earn an average annual salary of $96,000, according to glassdoor. 

5. C#

C# was developed by Microsoft and rose to fame in the 2000s and is an object-oriented programming language. The creator of C#, Anders Hejlsberg, said that the language is much like C++ when compared to Java. It is one of the most powerful languages for the .NET framework and is best suited for Android, iOS, and Windows since it takes the help of IDE products, Microsoft Visual C++. Popular websites such as Dell, Bing, and Visual Studio, also use C# in their backend.

According to glassdoor, a C# developer earns an average of $68,500 per year.

6. C and C++

The root of programming languages such as C#, Java, and Javascript, C is one of the oldest languages that is commonly used. If you are looking for the best programming language to learn, you must definitely learn C as it provides a foundation for C++ development as well. In computer science and in programming, C and C++ are widely used. 

C and C++ are both considered to be high-performance languages and are widely used in areas where performance is crucial, such as commercial products (Adobe), client/server applications, and video games too. A C and C++ programmer earns an average salary of $76,500 each year, according to Glassdoor.

For a better understanding of C++, go through this  C++ Tutorial.

7. Go

Developed by Google in 2007 for APIs and web applications, Go programming language has very recently started becoming one of the fastest-growing programming languages. Go is popular due to its simplicity. It can handle multicore systems and massive codebases. Go is also known as Golang and is popular among large IT companies due to the syntax familiarity and simplicity of use. Twitch, Dropbox, and Uber are some of the companies that are making use of Go as their programming language. Go has gained popularity among data scientists due to its performance and agility.

A Go developer can earn an average salary of $92,000 per year, and earn up to $134,000 according to glassdoor. 

8. PHP

PHP was created in 1990, it is an open-source programming language that many web developers find essential to learn, as this language is used to build more than 80% of websites. Facebook and Yahoo are some of the companies that are making use of the programming language. Developers also use this language to write command-line scripts, server-side scripts, and desktop applications. For beginners, PHP is considered to be a relatively easy language to learn.

PHP programmers earn an average annual salary of $81,500 according to glassdoor. 

9. Matlab

MATLAB was originally released in the mid-1980s and is a proprietary programming language owned by MathWorks. Matlab was built to be used by engineers and scientists and is used to build machine learning and deep learning applications. It is also used to create algorithms, verify research, process images, and analyse data. 

The MathWorks website has an extensive section that allows you to learn more about Matlab. A Matlab developer earns an average salary of $101,000 each year, according to ZipRecruiter. 

10. R Programming

A free software environment for graphics and statistical computing, R is a programming language that is widely used among statisticians and data miners. They mainly use R programming for data analysis and statistical software development. R programming was created by Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman and alongside Python, has grown to become one of the most widely used programming languages in 2021.

According to ZipRecruiter, R developers earn an average salary of $91,000. 

Check out these free R programming courses:

11. Scala

Scala is a type-safe, general-purpose Java virtual machine language that combines the finest aspects of oop and functional programming into a single high-level language. In large, complicated applications, Scala is perfect for reducing and eliminating errors. Both object-oriented and functional programming are supported.

Scala can be used for every task that Java would ordinarily be used for. Scala is a complicated language, yet its complexity provides it with a great deal of flexibility, hence, you must learn Scala. Netflix, Twitter, and the New York Times are among the companies that use Scala.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a Scala Developer is $122,197 per year.

Also Read: Scala Tutorial – Learn Scala Step by Step Guide

12. Ruby

Consider Ruby if you wish to start with a language that is known for being relatively easy to learn. It was created in the 1990s with the goal of having a more human-friendly syntax while remaining flexible due to its object-oriented architecture, which supports procedural and functional programming notation. Ruby on Rails (“RoR”) is a web application framework written in Ruby. Ruby developers tout it for being an easy language to write in and also for the relatively short learning time required. These characteristics have resulted in a sizable Ruby developer community and a growing interest in the language among newcomers.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a Ruby developer is $121,000 per year.

Quick Check – Dynamic Programming

13. TypeScript

TypeScript is a relative newcomer to the top programming language rankings, but it’s making strides. It is a typed variant of JavaScript that was developed by Microsoft in 2012 and is well suited for huge code bases. In both client-side and server-side development, TypeScript is used to create JavaScript-based applications with typing, which is useful for catching errors and preventing systemic difficulties.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a TypeScript Developer is $75,199.

Conclusion

This brings us to the end of the blog on what is the best programming language to learn in 2022. There are hundreds of programming languages available today, however, these are just the top 10 that you should pick up and are the most popular or widely used languages in most companies across the world. If you wish to shift your career or move up the ladder in your current role, it is important to upskill and continue learning the programming languages that are in high demand. Join Great Learning PGP Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning course. Unlock your dream career and learn the most in-demand skills.

Avatar photo
Tanuja Bahirat
Tanuja is a content writer who enjoys spending time in nature, watching football, and journaling. She loves attending music festivals and reading. In her current journey, she writes about recent advancements in technology and it's impact on the world.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Great Learning Free Online Courses
Scroll to Top