10 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024

Depending on where you look, the current census on programming languages tells us that there are anywhere from 750 to 10,000 programming languages. Out of which, only around 200 are considered notable. If your goal is to learn to program for the sake of building a career, it pays to know which languages are worth learning.

In this article, we take a deep dive into the world of programming languages to explore the best ones to learn in 2024. We’ll cover each language’s history and its strengths, and we’ll look at things like salaries and their popularity amongst professional developers, as well as highlight use cases and useful resources.

Whether you are looking to start a career in programming or are a seasoned developer, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the best programming languages to help you stay ahead of the curve.

1. Python

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that has gained popularity among developers of all levels over the years. It is known for its simplicity, readability, and ease of use, making it a great choice for beginners who are just starting out in programming, as well as professionals who need to write code quickly and efficiently.

One of the most attractive features of Python is its readability. Its syntax is easy to understand, which means that even new programmers can write code that is easy to read and maintain. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners, who can focus on learning programming concepts without getting bogged down by complicated syntax.

print("Hello, World!")

def add_numbers(x, y):
    return x + y

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

for number in numbers:
    print(number)

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name, age):
        self.name = name
        self.age = age

In addition, Python has a vast and supportive community. There are many resources available to help developers of all levels, including tutorials, documentation, and online forums. This makes it easy to learn and use Python, and to get help when you need it.

Python can be used for a wide range of applications, from web development and data science to machine learning and artificial intelligence. This means that whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you can find a use for Python in your work.

2. JavaScript

JavaScript is a high-level, dynamic programming language that is known as the go-to language for web development. It’s one of the most widely used programming languages in the world and is supported by all major web browsers.

One of the things that makes JavaScript so popular is its versatility. It can be used for a wide range of applications, from interactive web pages and web applications, to server-side programming and mobile app development. JavaScript is also an excellent choice for building cross-platform mobile apps, using frameworks such as React Native and Ionic.

var myVariable = "Hello World";
let anotherVariable = 42;
const constantVariable = true;

if (someCondition) {
  // code to be executed if the condition is true
} else if (anotherCondition) {
  // code to be executed if the first condition is false and the second condition is true
} else {
  // code to be executed if both conditions are false
}

for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
  // code to be executed for each iteration of the loop
}
while (someCondition) {
  // code to be executed as long as the condition is true
}
do {
  // code to be executed at least once, and then repeatedly as long as the condition is true
} while (someCondition);

function myFunction(arg1, arg2) {
  // code to be executed when the function is called
  return someValue;
}

const myObject = {
  property1: "value1",
  property2: 42,
  property3: true,
  method: function() {
    // code to be executed when the method is called
  }
};

Another reason for JavaScript’s popularity is its relatively easy-to-learn syntax. This makes it a great language for beginners to start with, while still being powerful enough to handle complex tasks and projects. JavaScript is also constantly evolving, with new features and updates being added regularly. This means that there are always new things to learn and explore.

In addition, JavaScript has a massive community of developers and enthusiasts who are constantly creating new libraries, tools, and frameworks to help make programming with JavaScript even easier and more efficient. This means that there are endless resources available to help you learn and improve your skills.

3. C#

Microsoft developed C# to be powerful and versatile yet accessible to beginners. As a result, it’s a great choice for anyone who wants to learn to code, as well as seasoned professionals who are looking for a new tool to add to their arsenal.

One of the standout features of C# is its versatility. Whether you want to build mobile apps, desktop software, or web applications, C# has you covered. That’s one of the reasons why it’s become such a popular language in recent years, as developers are increasingly looking for a language that can handle a wide range of projects.

int age = 25;
string name = "John";

public void SayHello(string name)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Hello, " + name + "!");
}

if (age < 18)
{
    Console.WriteLine("You are not old enough to vote.");
}
else
{
    Console.WriteLine("You are old enough to vote.");
}

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
{
    Console.WriteLine("The value of i is: " + i);
}

while (age < 30)
{
    age++;
}

Person john = new Person();
john.Name = "John";
john.Age = 25;

But C# isn’t just versatile – it’s also performant. Because it’s a compiled language, the code gets translated into machine code that runs quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important when working on large or complex projects that involve lots of data.

Another thing that sets C# apart is its focus on writing clean, readable code. It supports object-oriented programming, which allows you to write reusable code that can be easily modified and extended over time. C# has a large standard library that comes with a wide range of built-in functions and tools, which can save you time and effort when working on your projects.

4. C++

C++ is a powerful programming language that has been used to build some of the most complex and critical software systems in the world. C++ is well-suited for a wide range of applications, from developing video games and operating systems to writing complex algorithms and implementing high-performance scientific simulations.

One of the key strengths of C++ is its performance. C++ was designed to be a high-performance language, allowing developers to write code that runs efficiently and quickly, even on systems with limited resources. This makes it an ideal language for developing software that needs to be highly optimized and responsive, such as video games or real-time systems.

int x = 10;      // declare and initialize an integer variable
float y = 3.14;  // declare and initialize a float variable

if (x > 5) {
    // do something if x is greater than 5
}
else {
    // do something else if x is not greater than 5
}

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    // repeat the loop 10 times
    // do something with i
}

while (x > 0) {
    // repeat the loop as long as x is greater than 0
    // do something with x
}

int add(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

float divide(float a, float b) {
    if (b == 0) {
        return 0;
    }
    else {
        return a / b;
    }
}

class MyClass {
public:
    int x;
    float y;

    void printValues() {
        std::cout << "x = " << x << ", y = " << y << std::endl;
    }
};

MyClass obj;
obj.x = 10;
obj.y = 3.14;
obj.printValues();

C++ also offers developers a high level of control over their code, allowing them to fine-tune their programs to meet specific performance requirements. This control is possible due to the fact that C++ is a low-level language, which means that it provides direct access to hardware resources and memory management. This allows developers to create highly efficient code, without having to rely on layers of abstraction that can slow down performance.

Despite its performance-oriented design, C++ is also an incredibly flexible and adaptable language. It supports a wide range of programming paradigms, including object-oriented, functional, and generic programming. This means that developers can choose the approach that best fits their needs, and can write code that is both clean and maintainable.

C++ also offers a wealth of libraries and frameworks, making it easy to develop complex software systems without having to write everything from scratch. Additionally, because C++ has been around for over 30 years, there is a vast community of developers who have contributed to its development and are available to provide support and guidance.

5. PHP

If you’re interested in programming, you may have heard of PHP, one of the most popular programming languages out there. PHP, which stands for “Hypertext Preprocessor,” is a server-side scripting language that’s primarily used for web development. It was first created in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf and has since evolved into a powerful, versatile language that both beginners and experienced developers alike use.

At its core, PHP is a server-side scripting language that’s designed to work seamlessly with web servers like Apache and Nginx. This means that you can use PHP to build dynamic web pages that can interact with databases, handle user input, and perform a variety of other tasks that are essential to modern web development.

<?php
// This is a PHP comment
$variable = "Hello World!"; // This is a PHP variable assignment
echo $variable; // This is a PHP function that outputs the value of $variable
?>

But perhaps the biggest advantage of PHP is its ability to help you write clean, maintainable code. With features like object-oriented programming, automatic memory management, and a wide range of built-in functions and libraries, PHP makes it easy to create code that’s easy to read, test, and maintain over time.

6. Swift

Swift was first introduced by Apple in 2014, with the aim of creating a language that would be easier to read and write than Objective-C, but still offer the high performance and safety that professional developers require. Since then, Swift has experienced massive growth and adaptation by some of the largest organizations in the world.

With Swift, you can write code for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, making it incredibly versatile. Furthermore, Swift is designed to be interoperable with Objective-C, which means that you can use it in conjunction with existing code bases, making it an ideal choice for companies with established code.

var myVariable = 42
let myConstant = 3.14

var optionalValue: Int? = nil

if x > 10 {
    print("x is greater than 10")
} else if x < 10 {
    print("x is less than 10")
} else {
    print("x is equal to 10")
}

func addNumbers(_ a: Int, _ b: Int) -> Int {
    return a + b
}

class Person {
    var name: String
    var age: Int
    
    init(name: String, age: Int) {
        self.name = name
        self.age = age
    }
    
    func sayHello() {
        print("Hello, my name is \(name)")
    }
}

let person = Person(name: "John", age: 30)
person.sayHello()

Swift is incredibly versatile and user-friendly, even for beginners. In fact, it was designed to be anyone’s first programming language, whether you’re still in school or exploring new career paths. Educators can download free curriculum to teach Swift both in and out of the classroom, while first-time coders can use Swift Playgrounds to learn and interact with the language.

7. Java

Java is a general-purpose programming language that was first released in 1995 by Sun Microsystems. It quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity, portability, and robustness, and today it is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world.

So what makes Java so special? Well, for starters, it is platform-independent, meaning that code written in Java can run on any device that has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed, regardless of the underlying operating system. This makes Java an ideal language for building cross-platform applications, such as mobile apps and web applications.

int age = 25;
String name = "John";

public int addNumbers(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

if (age < 18) {
    System.out.println("You are not an adult.");
} else if (age >= 18 && age < 65) {
    System.out.println("You are an adult.");
} else {
    System.out.println("You are a senior.");
}

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    System.out.println(i);
}

while (age < 18) {
    System.out.println("You are not an adult yet.");
    age++;
}

Person person = new Person("John", 25);
String name = person.getName();
int age = person.getAge();

Java is also highly secure, with a built-in security model that protects against common vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows and memory leaks. This makes it a popular choice for developing secure applications, such as online banking systems and e-commerce websites.

But what really sets Java apart from other programming languages is its enormous ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools. From the Spring Framework to the Hibernate ORM, from the Eclipse IDE to the Apache Maven build system, Java developers have a wealth of resources at their disposal to help them build robust, scalable, and efficient applications.

8. SQL

SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a domain-specific programming language that is designed to manage, manipulate, and query data in relational databases. Relational databases are a popular method for organizing data, and SQL is the language that is used to interact with these databases. Popular examples of relational databases include MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and SQLite, among others.

SELECT column_name(s)
FROM table_name
WHERE condition(s)
ORDER BY column_name(s) ASC|DESC;

SELECT name, email
FROM customers
WHERE age > 18
ORDER BY name ASC;

SQL provides a standardized set of commands that can be used to perform a wide range of operations, including data insertion, modification, and deletion, as well as data querying and analysis. Its efficiency and scalability make it well-suited to managing and manipulating large amounts of data, and its use of set-based operations allows it to process data in bulk, making it faster and more efficient than other programming languages that rely on iterative processing.

9. Rust

Rust is a fascinating language with a unique and powerful set of features that make it stand out from other programming languages. It was designed with the goal of being fast, safe, and concurrent, and it achieves all three of these objectives in a way that is elegant and efficient.

One of the most notable features of Rust is its memory safety. Rust uses a system of ownership and borrowing to ensure that all memory accesses are safe and secure, without the risk of common issues like buffer overflows, null pointer dereferences, or data races. This alone makes Rust a top choice for system-level programming, where performance and security are critical.

let x = 5;                // integer
let y: f32 = 3.14;        // 32-bit floating point number
let message = "Hello!";   // string

fn add(x: i32, y: i32) -> i32 {
    return x + y;
}

let plus_one = |x: i32| -> i32 { x + 1 };
let result = plus_one(5);    // returns 6

if x < 5 {
    println!("x is less than 5");
} else if x > 10 {
    println!("x is greater than 10");
} else {
    println!("x is between 5 and 10");
}

for i in 0..5 {
    println!("The value of i is: {}", i);
}

while x < 100 {
    x *= 2;
}

let s = String::from("hello");
let len = calculate_length(&s);

fn calculate_length(s: &String) -> usize {
    s.len()
}

Another key feature of Rust is its expressive type system. Rust’s type system is powerful and flexible, allowing developers to express complex data structures and control flows in a way that is both concise and readable. It also includes support for pattern matching, which is a powerful tool for structuring code and making it more maintainable over time.

Rust is a community-driven language, with a large and growing ecosystem of libraries and tools that make it easier to develop complex applications. There are also many online resources available to learn Rust, including tutorials, books, and videos.

10. Go

Go is a modern programming language created by Google in 2009 with the goal of improving the efficiency and scalability of software development. It was designed to be simple and straightforward, while also offering the performance of a low-level language like C or C++.

Go is a compiled, statically-typed language that is designed to be simple and easy to use, yet incredibly powerful. It features a concise syntax and a lightweight, fast and efficient runtime, making it ideal for building large-scale, high-performance applications.

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
    fmt.Println("Hello, world!")
}

One of the most striking features of Go is its built-in support for concurrency, which allows for the creation of lightweight, independently executing processes that can communicate with one another through channels. This makes it easy to write programs that can take full advantage of modern multi-core processors, without the need for complex locking mechanisms or other synchronization primitives.

In addition to its concurrency features, Go also has strong support for networking and web development. Its standard library includes a robust set of tools for building HTTP servers and clients, as well as handling databases, encryption, and other common tasks.

But what sets Go apart from other programming languages is not just its technical capabilities. It is also an incredibly community-driven language, with a large and passionate developer community that is dedicated to helping each other learn and grow.

Summary

If you’ve gotten this far, you’ve made it through more than 6,500 words of content; phew! I’ll be monitoring the feedback about this article. Still, as far as my research went – I don’t think you are going to find a more comprehensive overview of the currently most popular programming languages. That said, you can always ping me on Twitter or send me an email with suggestions.