Programming languages are the backbone of the technological world we live in today. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced developer, these languages enable you to create and execute computer systems, applications, and algorithms.
However, with the rapidly changing technological environment, it is essential to keep up with the trends and understand which languages lead the pack and consequently, are worth learning and investing your time and resources in. In this article, we will discuss the dominating programming languages in 2021, the features that set them apart, their advantages, and some popular resources to learn them.
Java
Java is a widely used programming language, known for its platform-independent nature, exceptional performance, and ease of use. With over 8 million Java developers all over the world, it is one of the most popular languages out there.
In addition, Java is used for diverse application domains, including web development, creating desktop applications, developing enterprise applications and Android mobile applications.
Java is a popular language for beginners and teaching programming principles. Resources such as CodeGym and CodeChef provide step-by-step tutorials that can help beginners learn Java concepts quickly.
More advanced developers can benefit from resources like Pluralsight, where they can access advanced courses, coding exercises, webinars, and live coding events.
Python
Python is another programming language experiencing an upward trend in popularity. According to the Redmonk ranking, Python is currently the second most popular language, up from the third position in 2020.
Python is known for its simplicity, readability, and versatility.
Python is suitable for several application domains, including web development, back-end development, scientific computing, and data analysis. The language provides a wide range of libraries, modules, and frameworks that make it a go-to language for many developers.
Resources for learning Python include:
- Learn Python, which provides an interactive course specially designed for beginners, providing you with real-time feedback as you code.
- Learn Python the Hard Way, a book-based course that aids readers in building practical code examples.
- Invent with Python offers several Python-based game projects.
Kotlin
Kotlin is another fast-growing programming language that operates on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It is known for its conciseness and interoperability with Java.
It was first introduced to the market in 2011 by JetBrains and has been popularized as the next big thing for Android programming.
Kotlin shares many of Java’s features but provides more advanced functionalities, including data classes, null safety and extension functions. Furthermore, It is adopted by multiple domains, including Android, backend development, and desktop and web development.
Resources for learning Kotlin include:
- Kotlin for Java Developers is a suitable resource for Java developers that wish to learn Kotlin’s syntax and semantics.
- The Complete Kotlin Developer Course is a comprehensive course for users new to the Kotlin language. It covers practical projects in backend development, web development, and Android app development.
- Kotlin for Beginners is accessible and suitable for learning the Kotlin language from its basics.
Swift
Developed by Apple, Swift is a powerful programming language for building iOS applications. Its ease of use, performance, and safety measures make it a top choice among iOS mobile developers.
Swift takes syntax inspiration from C++ and Objective-C, making it a learnable language for developers with a C-based background. The Complete iOS App Development Bootcamp is a resource that provides comprehensive coverage of Swift language, including iOS app development.
It is suitable for both new and experienced developers. Moreover, iOS 12 & Swift 5 is another great resource that covers the latest version of Swift and iOS.
iOS 11 & Swift 4 is also a comprehensive course filled with essential Swift programming concepts. In conclusion, understanding the popular programming languages and their benefits is essential in today’s technological world.
Java, Python, Kotlin and Swift are a few of the leading languages in 2021, and resources such as CodeGym, Learn Python and Kotlin for Java Developers can aid in the learning experience. By learning one of these languages, you can diversify your skills as a developer and increase your value to potential employers.
Since the advent of the computer age, programming languages have become an integral part of our technological world. They have helped in creating almost everything we see today, from operating systems to mobile and desktop applications, websites, and web applications.
Over time, the programming languages we used have grown and evolved, providing more versatility, efficiency, and performance. In this article, we will expand on the previously examined programming languages and their benefits, focusing on C/C++ and JavaScript.
C/C++
C and C++ are the oldest programming languages and among the most widely used languages globally.
They are high-level languages that operate on a low-level paradigm, making them ideal for writing system software, device drivers, and embedded systems. Their simplicity and versatility are the reasons why they remain prominent after several decades of development.
Several resources help beginners learn C and C++ programming languages, some of which include Udemy: C and C++ Programming and Udemy: Mastering C++ Programming. Udemy: C and C++ Programming covers the basics of programming in C and C++, providing examples illustrating the practical use of each programming language.
Udemy: Mastering C++ Programming is an extensive course that includes advanced concepts, like pointers, dynamic memory allocation, templates, and object-oriented programming. One advantage of learning C/C++ is their performance.
They provide direct memory access, which makes their performance faster than interpreted languages like Python. Furthermore, C/C++ provide a good foundation for programming languages that inherit their syntax, including Java and Python.
JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most versatile languages that have grown in popularity over the years. It is primarily used for client-side scripting in web development, but it also has applications in server-side scripting and desktop application development.
This makes it a highly practical language to learn and implement across various project domains.
JavaScript provides several frontend frameworks like React, Vue.js, and Angular, which take care of the UI components of web development. These frameworks simplify the process of web development by abstracting the complexities of building user interfaces, among other benefits.
Node.js and Electron.js are examples of backend and desktop application development frameworks, respectively. Node.js enables users to use JavaScript programming on the server-side, while Electron.js allows for the creation of desktop applications with web technologies. Several learning resources such as Udemy: Modern JavaScript From The Beginning covers almost everything from fundamentals to practical project-building, providing hands-on experience in frontend and server-side development using JavaScript.
Udemy: JavaScript: Understanding the Weird Parts is an in-depth course that covers the more advanced and obscure parts of JavaScript not covered in other courses. It provides insight into how the JavaScript language operates and its underlying principles.
Lastly, Advanced JavaScript Concepts is an intermediate to advanced course that covers essential topics like the prototype and closure systems in detail. One of the advantages of learning JavaScript is its popularity, which makes it prevalent in most domain applications, such as web development, mobile application development, server-side scripting, and desktop application development.
Learning JavaScript also increases your employability prospects, as many companies focus on this language for software development. In conclusion, the programming languages examined in this article C/C++ and JavaScript, provide unique benefits to programmers.
C/C++ are powerful languages used in system and embedded software development, while JavaScript provides versatility in web and desktop application development. Learning resources for these languages, such as Udemy courses, provide interactive and practical lessons that can help an individual gain the necessary skills needed to become proficient in these languages.
In this article, we explored four dominating programming languages in 2021: Java, Python, Kotlin, and Swift. We then dived into C/C++ and JavaScript and the benefits of learning these languages. Whether you’re starting your programming journey or an experienced developer, learning these languages can provide versatility, efficiency, and performance.
Resources, such as Udemy courses, are readily available and can help you become proficient in these languages. It is crucial to stay up-to-date with languages’ trends and developments, and learning one or more of these languages can diversify your skills as a developer and increase your value to potential employers.