Programming is one of the most sought-after skills in the modern world. Whether you want to create websites, mobile apps, games, or artificial intelligence, you need to know how to code. But with so many programming languages out there, how do you choose which ones to learn? In this article, we will look at some of the most popular and useful programming languages for 2023 and beyond.
30 Best programming languages : A Guide for 2023
| Coding | Functions and Uses |
|---|---|
| HTML/CSS *web | HTML/CSS are not programming languages, but markup and style languages that are used to create and format web pages. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and defines the structure and content of a web page. CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets and specifies how HTML elements are displayed on the screen. |
| JavaScript *web | JavaScript is a scripting language that runs in web browsers and allows dynamic and interactive features on web pages. It can also be used for server-side programming with frameworks like Node.js. JavaScript is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world. |
| Python *machine learning | Python is a high-level, interpreted, general-purpose programming language that emphasizes readability and simplicity. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as object-oriented, functional, procedural, and imperative. Python is widely used for data analysis, machine learning, web development, automation, and scripting. |
| SQL *database | SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is a domain-specific language for managing data in relational databases. SQL allows users to create, manipulate, query, and analyze data using commands like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, JOIN, etc. SQL is a standard language that is supported by many database systems, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, etc. |
| Java | Java is a compiled, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that runs on a virtual machine called the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java is designed to be portable, robust, secure, and efficient. It is widely used for developing desktop applications, web applications, mobile applications, and embedded systems. Java is one of the most popular and influential programming languages in the world. |
| C++ | C++ is an extension of the C programming language that adds object-oriented features, such as classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and templates. C++ is a compiled, low-level, general-purpose programming language that offers direct access to hardware and memory management. It is widely used for developing high-performance applications, such as operating systems, games, graphics engines, etc. |
| C | C is one of the oldest and most influential programming languages in the world. It is a compiled, low-level, general-purpose programming language that offers direct access to hardware and memory management. It is widely used for developing system software, such as operating systems, compilers, libraries, etc. C is also the basis for many other programming languages, such as C++, C#, Objective-C, etc. |
| Bash/Shell | Bash/Shell are not programming languages per se, but command-line interpreters that allow users to interact with the operating system using text commands and scripts. Bash stands for Bourne-Again Shell and is a popular shell for Unix-like systems. Shell scripts are files that contain a series of commands that can be executed by a shell. They are often used for automation and system administration tasks. |
| TypeScript | TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing and other features to the language. TypeScript is designed to make JavaScript more reliable, scalable, and maintainable. TypeScript code can be compiled to plain JavaScript code that runs on any browser or platform that supports JavaScript. TypeScript is often used for developing large-scale web applications with frameworks like Angular or React. |
| C# | C# is a compiled, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that runs on a virtual machine called the Common Language Runtime (CLR). C# is designed to be simple, modern, safe, and expressive. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, declarative, functional, and concurrent. C# is widely used for developing desktop applications, web applications, mobile applications, and games with frameworks like .NET or Unity. |
| PHP *WordPress | PHP is a scripting language that runs on web servers and allows dynamic and interactive features on web pages. PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor and is embedded in HTML code. PHP is widely used for web development, especially for creating content management systems, such as WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, etc. |
| Rust | Rust is a compiled, low-level, general-purpose programming language that focuses on performance, reliability, and concurrency. Rust is designed to prevent memory errors and data races by using a sophisticated type system and ownership model. Rust is widely used for developing system software, such as operating systems, browsers, compilers, etc. |
| PowerShell | PowerShell is a scripting language and a command-line shell that allows users to automate and manage tasks on Windows systems. PowerShell is based on the .NET framework and supports object-oriented and functional programming features. PowerShell can also interact with other systems and platforms using various modules and protocols. |
| Assembly | Assembly is a low-level programming language that directly corresponds to the instructions of a specific processor architecture. Assembly code consists of mnemonics, operands, and labels that represent the binary code of the machine. Assembly is often used for optimizing performance-critical parts of an application or for interfacing with hardware devices. |
| Lua | Lua is a lightweight, interpreted, general-purpose scripting language that supports multiple programming paradigms, such as procedural, object-oriented, functional, and data-driven. Lua is designed to be embedded in other applications and to extend their functionality with minimal overhead. Lua is widely used for game development, web development, embedded systems, etc. |
| Kotlin *Android | Kotlin is a compiled, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) or can be compiled to native code. Kotlin is designed to be concise, safe, interoperable, and expressive. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, declarative, functional, and concurrent. Kotlin is widely used for developing Android applications, web applications, desktop applications, etc. |
| Go | Go is a compiled, concurrent, garbage-collected, general-purpose programming language that runs on multiple platforms. Go is designed to be simple, fast, and scalable. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, functional, and object-oriented. Go is widely used for developing web applications, cloud services, distributed systems, etc. |
| Dart | Dart is a compiled, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that runs on multiple platforms. Dart is designed to be expressive, concise, and flexible. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, declarative, functional, and reactive. Dart is widely used for developing web applications, mobile applications, and desktop applications with frameworks like Flutter or AngularDart. |
| MATLAB *scientific | MATLAB stands for Matrix Laboratory and is a high-level, interpreted, domain-specific programming language that focuses on numerical computing and data analysis. MATLAB allows users to perform matrix operations, linear algebra, signal processing, statistics, optimization, etc. using a simple and intuitive syntax. MATLAB is widely used for scientific and engineering applications, such as simulation, modeling, visualization, etc. |
| R *academic | R is a high-level, interpreted, domain-specific programming language that focuses on statistical computing and data analysis. R allows users to perform data manipulation, visualization, modeling, machine learning, etc. using a rich set of packages and libraries. R is widely used for academic and industrial applications, such as bioinformatics, econometrics, finance, etc. |
| Visual Basic | Visual Basic is a compiled, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that runs on the .NET framework. Visual Basic is designed to be easy, productive, and modern. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, declarative, functional, and event-driven. Visual Basic is widely used for developing desktop applications, web applications, mobile applications, etc. |
| Ruby | Ruby is an interpreted, general-purpose programming language that supports multiple programming paradigms, such as object-oriented, functional, procedural, and reflective. Ruby is designed to be expressive, elegant, and dynamic. It has a rich set of built-in libraries and a large community of developers. Ruby is widely used for web development, especially with frameworks like Ruby on Rails or Sinatra. |
| Haskell | Haskell is a compiled, functional, general-purpose programming language that supports multiple programming paradigms, such as lazy evaluation, pure functions, higher-order functions, and type inference. Haskell is designed to be concise, elegant, and mathematically rigorous. It is widely used for academic and research applications, such as artificial intelligence, logic programming, cryptography, etc. |
| GDScript *3D games | GDScript is an interpreted, scripting language that is used for developing games with the Godot Engine. GDScript is designed to be simple, intuitive, and flexible. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as object-oriented, imperative, and event-driven. GDScript is widely used for creating 2D and 3D games with features like physics, animation, sound, etc. |
| Swift *iOS | Swift is a compiled, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that runs on multiple platforms. Swift is designed to be fast, safe, expressive, and modern. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, functional, and protocol-oriented. Swift is widely used for developing iOS and macOS applications, as well as other platforms with frameworks like SwiftUI or Vapor. |
| VBA *business | VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications and is a scripting language that is embedded in Microsoft Office applications, such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. VBA allows users to automate tasks, create macros, customize interfaces, and extend the functionality of the applications. VBA is widely used for business and personal applications, such as data analysis, reporting, document generation, etc. |
| Prolog | Prolog is a compiled, logic, domain-specific programming language that focuses on declarative programming and artificial intelligence. Prolog allows users to define facts and rules about a problem domain and query the system for solutions using a process called backward chaining. Prolog is widely used for academic and research applications, such as natural language processing, expert systems, theorem proving, etc. |
| Lisp | Lisp is one of the oldest and most influential programming languages in the world. It is an interpreted, general-purpose programming language that supports multiple programming paradigms, such as functional, imperative, and meta-programming. Lisp stands for List Processing and uses a unique syntax based on nested parentheses. Lisp is widely used for academic and research applications, such as artificial intelligence, symbolic computation, computer graphics, etc. |
| Solidity *DApps | Solidity is a compiled, contract-oriented, domain-specific programming language that runs on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Solidity is designed to create smart contracts that can execute transactions and enforce rules on the blockchain. Solidity supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, object-oriented, and functional. Solidity is widely used for developing decentralized applications (DApps), such as cryptocurrencies, voting systems, crowdfunding platforms, etc. |
| Ada *critical systems | Ada is a compiled, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that runs on multiple platforms. Ada is designed to be reliable, safe, and efficient. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, declarative, concurrent, and distributed. Ada is widely used for developing critical systems, such as aerospace, defense, transportation, etc. |
| Delphi | Delphi is a compiled, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that runs on multiple platforms. Delphi is designed to be easy, productive, and powerful. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as imperative, event-driven, and component-based. Delphi is widely used for developing desktop applications, web applications, mobile applications, etc. |
Develop APPs : learn to code with mobile app developers
If you want to develop an app, what programming languages should you learn? App development is a popular and lucrative career path for many aspiring programmers. However, not all programming languages are suitable for app development, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in your success. In this article, we will explore some of the best programming languages for app development, depending on your goals and preferences.
Native vs. Hybrid vs. PWA Apps
Before we dive into the specific languages, we need to understand the different types of app development from a coding perspective. Generally speaking, mobile app developers can build an app in one of these three categories:
- Native apps are coded in a language that’s supported natively by the specific operating system of mobile devices. For example, native iOS apps use Swift or Objective-C, while native Android apps use Java or Kotlin. This is ideal for apps with a high level of customization that need to leverage native components of each device. It’s great for gaming apps, VR apps, and apps with extensive graphics. However, one code won’t work on both platforms with native development, so you’ll need to code everything twice if you want to reach both iOS and Android users.
- Hybrid apps are for cross-platform development. These are coded in a single language that can run on both iOS and Android devices. For example, hybrid apps use frameworks like React Native, Flutter, or Ionic, which use languages like JavaScript, Dart, or TypeScript. This speeds up the development timeline as you’ll only have to code everything once, as opposed to twice. Compared to native, you’ll lose a little bit of the flexibility in terms of what you can do with hybrid apps, but this is fine for the vast majority of developers.
- PWA (progressive web app) apps are a lightweight app that runs in the URL of a device’s web browser. It looks and feels like a mobile app, but it’s not delivered natively on the device. Developers who have experience with web development can easily create PWAs using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll already be familiar with the coding languages used during the development process, so there’s not as much of a learning curve.
Develop e-commerce platforms : 5 steps to learn to code
E-commerce platforms are online systems that enable businesses to sell products or services over the internet. They typically consist of a front-end website that displays the products and allows customers to place orders, and a back-end system that manages the inventory, payment, shipping, and other aspects of the business.
Developing an e-commerce platform requires a combination of different programming languages, depending on the functionality and design of the website. There is no definitive answer to which programming languages are best for developing an e-commerce platform. However, some general guidelines are:
- Learn HTML and CSS first as they are the foundation of any web page.
- Learn JavaScript next as it adds interactivity and functionality to web pages.
- Choose a server-side language that suits your project requirements and preferences. PHP is a good option if you want to use an existing platform such as WordPress or Shopify. Python or Ruby are good options if you want to build your own platform from scratch using frameworks such as Django or Rails.
- Learn SQL or another database language to manage your data efficiently.
- Keep learning new languages and technologies as they evolve and improve over time.
Developing an e-commerce platform can be a challenging but rewarding task that requires a lot of skills and knowledge. Learning programming languages is one of the essential steps to achieve this goal. By choosing the right languages for your project and learning them well, you can create a successful online store that meets your business needs and satisfies your customers.
Develop Game : Which coding languages should you learn ?
If you want to learn coding to make a game, here are some general guidelines that might help you :
- Understand your scope and concept: First, you should decide what kind of game you want to make, and what features and goals it will have. This will help you plan your project and choose the right tools and resources for it.
- Keep it simple: Don’t try to make a complex or ambitious game as your first project. Start with something small and manageable, and focus on the core gameplay and mechanics. You can always add more content and polish later.
- Choose a game engine or framework: A game engine or framework is a software that provides you with tools and features to create games, such as graphics, physics, audio, input, and more. Some popular game engines are Unity, Unreal Engine, GameMaker Studio, and Godot. A game framework is a simpler and more flexible option that lets you code your own game logic, such as Phaser, Pygame, or Love2D. Depending on your skill level and preferences, you can choose the one that suits you best.
- Start now, learn as you go: Don’t wait until you master a programming language or a game engine before you start making games. The best way to learn is by doing, so start coding as soon as possible and learn from your mistakes and feedback. You can find many online courses, tutorials, books, and resources that can help you along the way.
- Design your game around your skills: Don’t try to make a game that requires skills or knowledge that you don’t have or can’t learn easily. For example, if you are not good at art or music, you can use free or low-cost assets from online sources, or make a game that doesn’t rely on visuals or sounds. If you are not good at math or physics, you can use a game engine that handles those aspects for you, or make a game that doesn’t involve complex calculations or simulations.
- Which coding languages should you learn to make games? : There is no definitive answer to what is the best programming language to learn to make games, as different languages have different advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of game you want to create. However, some of the most popular and widely used languages for game development are C++, Java, JavaScript, C#, and Lua. You can choose the one that matches your goals and interests, or learn multiple languages to expand your options.
- Art, audio, and assets: A game is not only made of code, but also of art, audio, and other assets that make it look and sound good. You can either create your own assets using software such as Photoshop, GIMP, Audacity, or Blender, or use existing assets from online sources such as OpenGameArt.org, Freesound.org, or Kenney.nl. You can also collaborate with other artists or musicians to create original assets for your game.
- Focus on core mechanics and immersion: A good game is not defined by how many features or graphics it has, but by how fun and engaging it is. To make a good game, you should focus on the core mechanics and gameplay that make your game unique and enjoyable. You should also try to create an immersive experience for the player by using elements such as story, characters, setting, music, sound effects, and user interface.
- Test and iterate: A crucial part of game development is testing and iterating your game. Testing means playing your game yourself or letting others play it to find bugs, errors, or issues that need to be fixed. Iterating means improving your game based on the feedback and data you get from testing. You should test and iterate your game frequently and regularly throughout the development process to ensure its quality and functionality.
Develop corporate websites : general guidelines
Developing a corporate website is a complex and challenging task that requires careful planning, execution, and maintenance. A corporate website is not just a showcase of your products or services, but also a reflection of your brand identity, values, and reputation. Therefore, you need to follow some general guidelines to ensure that your website is effective, user-friendly, and professional. Here are some of the guidelines you should consider:
- Define your goals and objectives: Before you start designing or developing your website, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. What is the primary purpose of your website? Who is your target audience? What actions do you want them to take on your website? How will you measure your success? Having a well-defined strategy will help you focus your efforts and resources on the most important aspects of your website.
- Choose a suitable domain name and web host: Your domain name is the address of your website on the internet, and it should be easy to remember, spell, and type. It should also reflect your brand name and identity, and avoid any confusion with other similar websites. Your web host is the service that provides the space and resources for your website to run online. You should choose a reliable, secure, and scalable web host that can handle your website’s traffic and performance needs.
- Design your website for usability and user experience: Your website should be designed with your users in mind, and provide them with a pleasant and satisfying experience. You should follow some basic principles of web design, such as simplicity, visual hierarchy, navigability, consistency, responsiveness, accessibility, conventionality, credibility, and user-centricity. These principles will help you create a website that is easy to use, understand, and interact with.
- Create relevant and engaging content: Your website content is the main source of information and communication with your users. You should create content that is relevant to your goals and objectives, and that educates, informs, or entertains your users. You should also use different types of content, such as text, images, videos, audio, or interactive elements, to suit your audience’s preferences and needs. You should also optimize your content for search engines (SEO), so that your website can rank higher on search results and attract more organic traffic.
- Test and launch your website: Before you launch your website to the public, you should test it thoroughly for any errors, bugs, or issues that might affect its functionality or quality. You should check for things like broken links, spelling mistakes, loading speed, compatibility with different browsers and devices, security vulnerabilities, etc. You should also get feedback from your users or stakeholders on the usability and user experience of your website. Once you are satisfied with the results of your testing, you can launch your website and make it live on the internet.
- Maintain and update your website: Launching your website is not the end of the process; it is the beginning of an ongoing relationship with your users. You should maintain and update your website regularly to keep it fresh, relevant, and secure. You should also monitor and analyze your website’s performance and user behavior using tools like Google Analytics or HubSpot. This will help you identify any problems or opportunities for improvement on your website.
These are some of the general guidelines to develop a corporate website. However, each website project is unique and may require different approaches or solutions depending on its scope and complexity. Therefore, you should always do your research and consult with experts before starting or continuing with your website development project.
