Top 5 Most In-Demand Programming Languages in the Today's Job Market.
April 18th 2022
This text was fully written by humans.
SUMMARY / KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Today, programming is no longer an extracurricular point on one’s CV. Employers expect “full-stack white-collar employees” — regardless if you are going to work in IT, pharma, business, or elsewhere. Therefore, it is beneficial to learn at least one programming language.
- And even if you are not planning to work as a programmer by yourself, sooner or later you will have the need to collaborate with programmers—either at work or in your own business.
- Software development might sound like a boring type of activity until you realize the range of applications of these programming languages. It literally gives you freedom.
- In this article, we review 5 most versatile programming languages and their scope of applications. We also give references to good online beginner courses that will help you start learning. .
Table of Contents
- Programming Languages Are In an Extremely High Demand Today.
- Today, The Ability To Code Is Often an Unwritten Job Requirement.
- Benefits of Learning Programming Languages.
- Programming Is Useful At Work, Even If You Are Not a Software Developer!
- Programming Can Be a Meditative and Relaxing Experience.
- The Multitude of Programming Languages.
- Building a Compelling Self-Image While Looking For Jobs Associated With The Most In-Demand Programming Languages.
- Conclusion: Which Programming Language To Learn To Increase Your Scope of Opportunities As a Professional?
Programming Languages Are In an Extremely High Demand Today.
In the technological wonderland that is today’s modern world, there are multiple programming languages that machines, programs, hardware, software, or any other electronics, use to operate and function correctly. But now in the post-pandemic job market, does software development still remain an attractive career path to enter?
Software development might sound like a boring type of career until you realize the range of applications of these programming languages. These applications can be as small as the Flappy Bird game on your iPhone, to as large as assisting construction workers to control giant cranes to build skyscrapers and assisting astronauts to control spaceships.
If you are a good developer, you can get in control of any machine there is. Every machine and online platform has some form of programming to make it work properly, from videocassette recorders (VCRs) to YouTube, it all has a programming language hidden somewhere inside. The ability to code literally makes you free.
Since the use of programming languages is so extremely high in today’s market, one could say that learning programming is a solid and marketable skill to have — not only for employees but also for free birds. Today, many people working on their professional development learn programming languages to become freelancers and their own bosses.
Today, The Ability To Code Is Often an Unwritten Job Requirement.
Today, programming is no longer an extracurricular point on one’s CV. Employers expect “full-stack white-collar employees” – regardless if you are going to work in IT, pharma, business, or elsewhere.
The lack of ability to program and the lack of willingness to learn in this department might be taken as signs of inflexibility and inability to follow any research and development.
And as a matter of fact, between a job candidate who can or cannot program, the employers will always choose the candidate who got their hands dirty with programming. You can find more information about employers’ expectations in our article “7 Magic Spells: How To Enchant the Recruiter at the Job Interview.”
Benefits of Learning Programming Languages.
It is beneficial to learn at least one programming language for many reasons. Firstly, software development is one of the best-paid professions, that also guarantees good benefits such as the possibility to work remotely and flexible working hours. It not only allows for solid remuneration but also has a positive impact on professional development and gives a sense of personal freedom.
Secondly, as much as we cannot fully predict the evolution of the job market (as we also described in the article “Race Against the Machine”) we can relatively safely assume that the demand for software programmers will only grow for another ten to twenty years.
Therefore, if you decide to become a software developer right now, you can be sure that you will manage to become financially free before this demand ever ends. Which means lifelong safety.
Programming Is Useful At Work, Even If You Are Not a Software Developer!
And even if you are not planning to work as a programmer by yourself, sooner or later you will have the need to collaborate with programmers—either at work or in your own business.
The basic knowledge of programming will allow you to tell the difference between a strong and a weak programmer, and choose the most talented people to work with in the future.
Thirdly, programming teaches you how to think logically. Therefore, it is a good exercise for your brain to learn one programming language even if you don’t ever plan to work as a professional software developer.
Programming also requires communication skills on many levels: effective and precise communication with your client, with the machine itself, and also, with other users of your software. You need to well understand your client’s expectations and make a plan for how to implement the solution.
You also need to be precise in expressing the tasks that you want to have executed otherwise, the machine will get a syntax error. Lastly, you need to put together clear comments and documentation, as otherwise, no one else will be able to use your code.
Programming Can Be a Meditative and Relaxing Experience.
Last but not the least, programming can be like zen meditation. To many people, it is a truly relaxing and almost transcendental activity. When you program, nothing but you, the machine, and the communication between the two of you, matters—the outer world disappears.
Therefore, by learning how to program, you might discover a new, stimulating, and relaxing hobby that makes you calm down, breathe deeper and feel good.
It is also an interesting experience to gain perfect control over the course of events. A computer program is deterministic. It acts like an extension of your arm that does exactly what you tell it to. And, it can execute so many commands, and find answers to so many questions!
While playing with it and developing more and more complex commands, you might catch the bug for programming and start solving serious real-world problems from the comfort of your own home. It might work on your professional development too.
The Multitude of Programming Languages.
However, before you dive in head first, you should choose between multiple programming languages. Some of them are much more versatile and commonly used than others.
Of course, once you learn one language, you can learn another one in a reasonable time, as the logic is the same. However, learning a new programming language from scratch and becoming a top-notch specialist takes a lot of precious time.
So, in order to remedy the just-starting-out confusion, we have created a ranking of the 5 best programming languages to learn in today’s job market. These languages have been selected because of the high demand and widespread range of applications.
If you choose to learn any of these languages, you will be working on your professional development and you will be doing yourself a great service in marketability. So without further ado, let’s figure out which languages are best to start with, and why.
1. Python.
In our books, the unanimous winner is Python. Python is versatile in its applications. With the use of this language, you can build websites, program artificial intelligence, and implement machine learning. Python code can automate tasks, or perform data analysis and show you the results either visually or in numbers.
While other languages listed in this article mostly serve as tools to build new applications and websites, Python can also serve to analyze data and conduct research. Therefore, it is useful both to software developers and academic researchers.
Python is an open-source language with a modular structure. The basic Python code can be enhanced by importing packages: bundles of codes programmed and openly shared by other users. Anyone can append their own Python package to the public repository—no wonder that the scope of Python applications grows every day.
Python packages allow for a beginner-friendly learning curve. You do not need to learn every command by heart and understand the nitty-gritty details of how the Python compiler works to conduct a project.
It is sufficient to google for examples of methods or graphics that you need, and then tweak some parameters or exchange the input data files to build a deep neural network or produce a beautiful fractal figure.
No wonder that as an open, transparent, democratic language with an almost unlimited scope of applications, Python is beloved in the world of Data Science and in multiple industries. It is a real lingua franca in the IT industry.
Strategically, it is a great choice as an element of your professional development as well professional portfolio. So, if you are unsure about your future professional plans, Python is a good first line of choice to learn to program.
Some examples of Python applications include:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Data Analytics
- Data visualization
We can recommend the following Skillshare courses that will help you learn Python programming from scratch:
1. Beginner level: Coding 101: Python for Beginners,
2. Advanced level: Advanced Python (Python 301),
3. Funny and entertaining version: Fun with Python: Introduction to Programming for Visual Learners.
Please also find a ranking of best online classes in Python HERE.
2. Javascript.
Javascript is yet another heavily used programming industry language, similar to Python. While its uses are much narrower, it allows for greater focus on where it is applied. Javascript is what brings interactivity to your Internet browser.
If you have ever played a game in your browser, or watched a video online, then you have experienced the user end of Javascript.
While it is not as versatile as Python, this language is still in high demand as new businesses are building new websites every day. Enterprises need Javascript programmers to implement new features into their websites, such as specialized user interface buttons, sliding wheels of images, aesthetically pleasing timers or countdowns to events, animations, menu customizations, etc.
Some examples of Javascript applications include:
- Adding interactive features to websites
- Making web and mobile apps
- Building web servers and their applications
- Game development (example)
We can recommend the following Skillshare courses that will help you learn Python programming from scratch:
1. Beginner level: Javascript: Gentle Introduction for Beginners,
2. Beginner level (intensive version): Learn 30 JavaScript Methods in 12 Days.
3. Java.
Java is the most widely used object-oriented programming language. Java is a fairly versatile language despite it being primarily used for mobile device applications. Remember the mention of VCR programming earlier? The Java language is used there. Have you ever heard of or used Spotify or Twitter on your Android device? Those are Java applications.
Java developers boast that over 3 billion devices run their language. It is also known as the best language if you are looking to communicate between devices; otherwise known as the Internet of Things (or, IoT) applications. As you can see, Java can be used in a large variety of situations.
Some examples of Java applications include:
- Mobile apps
- Desktop GUI
- Web-Based apps (LinkedIn or AliExpress)
- Game development (Minecraft)
- Big data technologies
- Cloud apps
- IoT apps
We recommend the following Coursera courses that will help you learn Java programming from scratch:
1. Beginner level: Introduction to Java,
2. Beginner level: Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization.
Please find the ranking of best online classes in Java HERE.
4. C and C++.
C is one of the older programming languages. It was a successor to the programming language B. C++ was built as an extension of C. C++ is actually short for “C with classes.” Its main benefit as a programming language is high performance achieved in a memory-efficient manner.
C++ is the king of programming languages when it comes to programming video games. All the major consoles read C++ code. Therefore, if you are planning to create high-end video games, this may be the language for you.
Despite it being heavily associated with video games, C++ is probably the most versatile language around. Apple and Microsoft both use C++ in their Operating systems. Internet browsers are mostly built with C++ as well.
Some examples of C++ applications include:
- Video Games
- Database software (MySQL)
- Operating Systems (Microsoft Windows, iOS)
- Browsers (Mozilla Firefox, Chrome)
- Graphic processing
- Banking apps
- Cloud Apps
We recommend the following courses to get familiar with C and C++:
1. Skillshare course that will help you learn the basics of C#: C# Programming: Learn to Code with Basic C#,
2. Coursera specialization that will help you learn the basics of C# programming: Introductory C Programming Specialization,
3. Coursera course that will help you learn the basics of C# and C++ programming: Coding for Everyone: C and C++ Specialization.
Please find the ranking of best online classes in C++ HERE.
5. Swift.
Lastly, let’s talk about Swift. Swift is a specific programming language created because of the tech giant company Apple and designed specifically for Apple products.
While it was built to have non-Apple uses as well, today Swift is primarily recognized as “the Apple language.” If you are an Apple person and you are willing to program on the ridiculously large platform that is Apple, this could be a great language for you to learn. While Learning you will work on your professional development. Its uses include:
Some examples of Swift applications include:
- iPhone and iPad apps
- macOS apps
- Apple Watch apps
- Apple TV apps
- Web services and apps
We recommend the following Coursera courses that will help you learn programming in Swift from scratch:
1. Beginner level: Introduction to Programming in Swift 5,
2. Beginner level: Programming Fundamentals in Swift.
Please find the ranking of best online classes in Swift HERE.
Building a Compelling Self-Image While Looking For Jobs Associated With The Most In-Demand Programming Languages.
While looking for your dream job, you need to make sure that you build an impeccable online image. It is a process that might take years – that’s why you should start working on it today!
Please check out our tutorials “5 Rules for How To Make Social Media Benefit Your Career” dedicated to building a social media presence, and “10 Steps to Create an Effective LinkedIn Profile in 2022” dedicated to building a compelling LinkedIn presence.
Conclusion: Which Programming Language To Learn To Increase Your Scope of Opportunities As a Professional?
So there you have it! Five different programming languages are in high demand in today’s electronic economy. Some of them can have a bit of a learning curve, while others are easy to learn.
Programming, in general, presents roadblocks at times no matter what language you learn. But if you take enough time, you may find a skill that lands you a dream job of lets you work from home on your own terms and your professional development! It is definitely worth trying.
And, despite the common stereotype, you don’t need years to reach the point when you can start working as a developer; systematic work in your free time will allow you to get your first gigs as a developer after as little as a few months.
Are you also interested in how to choose between a career in frontend versus backend web development? Please check our article “Frontend or Backend Web Developer? How To Make the Right Choice?“
Good luck!
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Please cite as:
Bielczyk, N. (2022, July 27th). Top 5 Most In-Demand Programming Languages in the Today’s Job Market.
Retrieved from https://ontologyofvalue.com/5-most-in-demand-programming-languages-in-job-market/
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