What Programming Language Should I Learn?

If you are new to the tech industry, then one of the first decisions you need to make is where to start. 

Traditionally, the first step would be to learn how to code, and there are a plethora of programming languages to discover. That leaves the question, what programming language should I learn first? Each coding language is unique with its style and widespread use. Furthermore, every year new programming languages are introduced. This may seem overwhelming when you are just beginning, but don’t panic! We’re going to narrow down the who, what, when, and why of programming languages.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Programming Language for You

It’s important to really take the time to research the different programming languages prior to beginning your coding journey. You will be spending hundreds of hours studying whichever programming language you decide on, and that is even before you become proficient at it. You want to be fully committed to a task when it involves that amount of time. Take into consideration the following:

1. The job market that’s available for the language you choose. This is important if you’re going to use your new programming skills to get a job. Consider your career goals and what position you see yourself ending up in. 

2. The potential long-term opportunities for the language. For example, which language continues to be successful year after year? Gather statistics on these languages. You will want to choose a language that has some stability in the market.

3. How easy or hard is the language to learn? This is important since you might not want to start with the hardest language. Start with a programming language that is easier to learn and then ease your way into a more complicated language. The second programming language that you choose to learn will become more manageable after you get through the first.

 

The Top Five Programming Languages to Learn in 2023

1. HTML and CSS: These programming languages are both essential if you want to do any front-end development. HTML is easy to learn and often used as a pre-bootcamp topic at coding bootcamps. HTML is responsible for putting text, images, and other elements that include footers, line breaks, and links, among many others on a website. CSS then allows you to change these elements by customizing them on the webpage. CSS also allows you to add animation before learning Javascript. It is recommended that you first spend a few weeks learning both HTML and CSS. This will help when you go to learn another programming language known as Javascript.
   
   2. Javascript: It is impossible not to have Javascript at the top of this list. Almost all software developers touch on Javascript in some way or another. According to Stack Overflow’s 2019 Developer Survey, JavaScript is the most popular language among developers for the seventh year in a row. Top tech companies such as Facebook, Gmail, and Youtube use Javascript to create their dynamic web pages. Javascript is essentially a front-end language, although it can be used on the server-side as well using Node.js. Javascript is said to be a relatively forgiving language to learn and work with.
   
   3. Python: Python is a great starting programming language to learn as it is incredibly versatile. It can be used on everything from web development to games. Additionally, it is a natural programming language to learn. If your goal is to become a Data Scientist, then look no further than Python. A Data Scientist wants to learn Python because it’s packages make it easy to work with substantial amounts of data. Python is also easy to learn since there is plenty of documentation on the subject. If you get stuck on something, you will easily be able to find the answer with a simple Google search. 
   
   4. Ruby: Ruby is a popular back-end language. Not to be confused with Ruby on the Rails where ruby is the actual programming language, and the rails are the framework that it lives on. Ruby is a continually popular language with start-ups. However, be warned that Ruby is a more complicated programming language to learn. Ruby is an excellent choice if you are doing the self-teaching route as most beginning courses don’t cover Ruby. It was intended for experienced developers. 
   
   5. GO: GO is a programming language that is favored by the tech giant, Google. It is similar to the C and C++ languages without being as difficult to learn. This is the ideal language for those looking to build web servers, data pipelines, and machine learning packages. This language is for more experienced programmers, and those who use it are able to see their contributions to the language made worldwide.
   
   

How do I learn to code?

There are plenty of options when you decide which language you want to learn. You can decide to teach yourself. This will be the harder route that will require an immense level of dedication and perseverance. You can attend a traditional university to obtain a degree in computer science or a related field. Lastly, you can attend a coding bootcamp where you will receive a quick education in programming languages. This will have you entering the field at an accelerated rate and is an ideal option for many. No matter what you decide, Bootcamp Rankings is here to assist you on your programming journey.