Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024

This article will show you what the best programming languages to learn in 2024 to help you choose the one that suits your level of expertise are. It’s well-known that coding as a career is in high demand, and it provides huge opportunities. But, you’ll inevitably need to master at least one and know the types of programming languages to take up those opportunities.

Whether you plan to take your programming career to the next level or change it entirely, you’ll need to find out the high-demand programming languages to learn. Also, which ones can provide you with the most chances for professional development and high income?

Let’s start with the essentials, such as language levels and types!

Table of contents

• The Levels of Programming Languages
• Types of Programming Languages
• Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024
• Conclusion
• FAQs

The Levels of Programming Languages

Before you learn about the top programming languages that are in high demand, it’s necessary to be familiar with the levels and types of programming.

Programming languages are classified into two categories based on their level of abstraction.

Low-Level Language

This is a language that provides abstraction from the computer’s hardware. This means the code written in a low-level language is close to machine code that a computer can understand and execute.

Low-level languages provide little to no abstraction from a computer’s set of instructions, meaning the processor would make exactly what is written by the programmer. They can be further classified as machine-level and assembly-level languages.

Some examples of low-level programming include Assembly and machine languages. C and C++ aren’t classified as low-level languages because the code is portable and the syntax is human readable.

Machine-level languages are the ones the computer’s hardware can directly execute. On the other hand, assembly-level languages need to be converted into machine code by an assembler before they can be run on a machine.

High-Level Language

This is a language that provides abstraction from the computer’s hardware. This means that these languages are portable and independent of the type of computer.

High-level languages are more English-like. In other words, they are closer to human language and can be understood more easily. These languages use English words and mathematical notations, making them easier to read and write. Hence comes their name—high-level languages.

Some examples of high-level programming languages include Java, Python, and C++.

Now that you’re familiar with the programming levels, you can learn more about the types of programming.

Types of Programming Languages

Unlike the levels of programming languages, which refer to where the code is located on the machine-assembly-human hierarchy, types of programming languages refer to how the code is used and designed.

Keep reading to learn more about the most common types:

Multi-Paradigm Languages

Multi-paradigm programming languages support more than one programming paradigm. In other words, they can be used for more than one type of programming.

An example of a multi-paradigm programming language is Python. This language can be used for procedural programming, functional programming, object-oriented programming, and scripting.

Procedural Programming Languages

Also known as imperative languages, these are based on a sequence of commands or instructions the computer needs to follow to complete a task.

Some examples of these languages include C, Pascal, and FORTRAN.

Functional Programming Languages

Functional programming languages are based on mathematical functions. These languages are declarative, meaning the programmer only needs to state what the program should do without pointing out how it should do it.

These languages are often used for mathematical or scientific applications such as Scala, Scheme, and Haskell.

Object-Oriented Programming Languages

These languages are designed to create programs that can model real-world objects and interactions. Object-oriented programming makes it easier to reuse code by putting different kinds of information into different classes. This lets developers add features easily when needed without changing much of the existing code.

Object-oriented programming languages include Java, C++, and Python.

Scripting Programming Languages

Scripting programming languages are used to write code that automates tasks. These language scripts are often used to automate tasks that would otherwise be executed manually.

Some examples include Bash, JavaScript, and PHP.

Logic Programming

Logic programming languages are used to write programs that can solve problems by reasoning. Instead of instructing the computer on what to do, the language limits what it can think of doing.

An example of such a language is PROLOG.

Now, you’re ready to move on and find out the best-demand programming languages in 2024!

Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024

Which programming languages are the most in-demand in 2024 to learn?

1. Javascript
2. Java
3. Python
4. C++
5. PHP
6. GO
7. Kotlin

Javascript

Javascript, according to Statista, is the number one language. It is a versatile scripting language used for web development, game development, and building mobile apps and web servers.

JavaScript is the most widely used programming language in the world right now. This is because it is one of the programming languages that are relatively easy to learn. Once you grasp the basics, you can start practicing and playing with it immediately.

In addition, Javascript has been gaining popularity as a server-side programming language due to its ability to run on multiple platforms.

Pros 

• Javascript is a versatile scripting language used for web, game, and mobile app development.
• Also, this programming language is in high demand, as it is used to manage the behavior of web pages. 
• There are many communities, courses, and avenues of professional support available online for Javascript.

Cons 

• Javascript can have security issues. JavaScript code is viewable to the user, who may use it for malicious purposes. 
• Different browsers interpret JavaScript differently. The code must be checked on multiple platforms before being published.

Java

Java is a versatile and powerful programming language, enabling developers to create robust, high-performance applications. Java is used for developing desktop, web, and mobile applications.

You can find Java just about everywhere. It is the main language for developing Android apps, web applications, official websites, and big data solutions like Hadoop and Apache Storm all use it.

Pros

• Java can be used to develop various applications.
• The language is platform-independent, meaning it can run on any operating system.
• Java has a large community of developers, making it easy to find help and resources.
• There are several features that can save developers from common security flaws.

Cons

• Java has a slower compile time compared to other languages.
• It requires significant memory space.

The greatest advantage of Java? Compared to the demand programming languages in 20224 on our list, Java is beginner-friendly and easy to learn.

Want to become a Java Engineer? Check out the requirements here.

Python

Python is a high-level interpreted language that enables developers to create sophisticated applications quickly. Python is widely known for its readability and concise syntax.

Python is used in different areas, including web development, scientific computing, data mining, artificial intelligence, and even gaming. For example, scraping with Python is crucial for data mining, simplifying the collection and analysis of web data. As a high-level, dynamically typed language, Python focuses on rapid development and can be used for projects of any size.

It includes a collection of modules and packages known as frameworks. Learn more about them in our article The 8 Best Python Frameworks for Web Applications and Services.

Pros

• Python is versatile, easy to use, and fast to develop.
• The language is characterized by free licensing.
• Python can be used to develop various types of applications.
• Python comes with pre-built libraries that can be used for anything, from mobile development to machine learning.
• Python has a large community of developers, making it easy to find help and resources.

Read our blog Trending App Ideas to learn which type of applications you can develop.

Cons

• The language is not as fast as other languages on this list.
• Python is considered a weak choice for mobile development.
• Python has a very high memory consumption.

What makes Python one of the best programming languages to learn in 2024? The language is very flexible and used in almost every trending tech industry, from web development to AI and machine learning. And thanks to reliable community support, you will be able to resolve any problem you come across.

C++

A powerful object-oriented language, C++ enables developers to create sophisticated applications. C++ is used in a variety of domains, from system programming to game development.

C++ enables developers to write code close to the hardware level, making it a good choice for developing system-level applications. Also, the portability or platform independence feature of C++ makes it simple to compile and run the same program on various operating systems.

Pros

• C++ is a very fast and powerful language.
• The language is platform-independent, which can be compiled and executed on various operating systems.
• This programming language has a large community of developers, making it easy to find help and resources.
• C++ also has powerful library support and a built-in database connection.

Cons

• C++ can be difficult to learn for beginners and contains difficult concepts to handle.
• C++ code can be difficult to read and understand. Also, it is prone to memory handling errors.

The best thing about C++? It’s a very powerful language that can be used for various purposes. However, keep in mind that C++ is one of the most difficult programming languages to learn compared to other popular languages.

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Our developers are fluent in multiple programming languages, including the demanding ones, such as C++.

PHP

A widely used scripting language, PHP is suitable for developing web applications and dynamic websites. PHP code can be embedded into HTML code or used in combination with various web template systems, web content management systems, and frameworks.

PHP is relatively easy to learn compared to some languages on this list. It’s a good choice for beginners who want to start web development. And, despite the simple learning curve, PHP still offers many complex features that experienced programmers can benefit from.

Pros

• PHP is relatively easy to learn.
• The language offers a wide range of libraries and frameworks.
• PHP code can be easily embedded into HTML.
• This programming language has good documentation and a large community of developers, which makes it easy to find help and resources.

Cons

• Although PHP is a powerful language supported by a large community, it is declining in popularity.
• The language has some security flaws.
• PHP lacks dedicated libraries for modern development needs.

Is PHP one of the top programming languages to learn in 2024? Despite its cons, it still is!

Read our blog PHP vs Node.js

PHP is an extremely flexible programming language that can be combined with other web development technologies easily. For example, PHP can create Java objects and use them as if they were PHP objects. Also, it remains very popular nowadays since it is an open-source technology, meaning that people can download it from an open-source and use it for free. This makes PHP readily accessible to all.

How can you hire a PHP developer that fits your project’s requirements? Read our full guide to find out!

Go

Golang, also known as programming languages Go, is a statically typed, compiled programming language created by Google. Just like every other typed language, Go features the type system that allows the compiler to detect bugs easily. It is best suited for developing fast and reliable software.

This programming language was designed to be simple, efficient, and easy to use. Go features interfaces that allow programmers to write more modular and testable code. In addition, this programming language comes with a very decent standard library and testing support built into it.

Pros

• Go is a straightforward language that is easy to learn.
• The language has a very efficient garbage collector.
• Go programs are compiled quickly, and they run very fast.

Cons

• Although Go is a very efficient language, it lacks features other languages have, such as generics and exceptions.

What makes Go one of the best programming languages? If you are looking for a language that is simple, efficient, and easy to use, then Go is the right choice for you. Also, it is one of the fastest-growing programming languages, and currently, there are thousands of LinkedIn job postings for Go programmers only in the US!

Kotlin

Kotlin is a statically typed programming language. It was created by JetBrains, the company behind the popular IntelliJ IDEA Java IDE. Kotlin is best suited for developing Android applications and can also be used for developing server-side applications.

One of the greatest advantages of this programming language is that it is fully interoperable with Java. This means you can use all the existing Java libraries in your Kotlin code. In addition, Kotlin comes with many features that make it a more powerful language than Java, such as null safety, data classes, and lambdas.

Pros

• Kotlin is a very powerful language that is fully interoperable with Java.
• The language has many features that make it more powerful than Java.
• Kotlin is easy to learn for programmers who already know Java.

Cons

• Kotlin is not as widely used as Java, so there are not as many resources and libraries available.

Despite its cons, Kotlin is still one of the best programming languages to learn in 2024. In addition, it is fully interoperable with Java, making it easier to learn for programmers who already know Java.

Improving your expertise and workflow as a remote software developer? Don’t miss our blog on Tips for Remote Work.

Conclusion

Several technologies are considered high-demand programming languages to learn in 2024. However, mastering all of them would require a lot of time and effort. So, you need to narrow your choices based on your personal and career goals.

If you would like to focus on machine learning and deep learning, then Java or C++ are not the right choices for you. Instead, it would be best if you focused on Python. Also, Python is widely used in the startup world. However, if you’re more interested in joining a corporation, then Java is the way to go, as it is commonly used in the corporate world. If you prefer to build low-latency and scalable systems, you would be best off with C++ and Golang.

Do you need help with IT project development? Make sure to check out ClickIT! Our developers are fluent in multiple-demand programming languages and will help you get your project off the ground in no time.

FAQs