Best programming languages to learn in 2024

Are you looking to learn new programming languages?

Or, just curious about finding the top programming languages in 2024?

Well, we have got you covered. Today, we will be looking at some of the hottest programming languages.

Let’s quickly jump into the top programming languages in 2024:

1. Python

Python is a high-level programming language that was introduced way back in 1991.

Today, developers love it due to its simplicity and wide range of applications in various domains. In the recent few years, the popularity of Python has skyrocketed. The adoption rate is relatively high from other programming languages.

In most colleges and universities, Python is taught as the first programming language in the curriculums, thanks to the beginner-friendly nature of Python.

Python is widely used in the fields of:

• Web development
• AI and Machine Learning
• Game development
• Web development
• Data Analytics

With constant advancements, especially in the fields of Generative AI and web development, Python has emerged as the number 1 choice in our list of Top programming languages.

Now, let’s look into the real-world applications that heavily use Python:

• Reddit
• Instagram
• Dropbox
• Spotify
• Facebook

Just like any other language, python has its own pros and cons.

Pros:

• Easy to learn
• Great Community
• Dynamically Typed language
• Great Community and Ecosystem
• Cross Platform

Cons:

• Slow
• global Interpreter Lock (GIL)
• not Widely used for Mobile Development

2. JavaScript

Javascript was introduced in 1995 with the purpose of ‘making web pages alive’.

JavaScript is a widely used programming language in web development. It is literally the whole package. You can handle the front end with it, you can write the back end with it. Not just that, you can make applications with it in react native too.

Top sites using Javascript:

• LinkedIn
• Uber
• Duolingo
• Paypal
• Trello

Before JavaScript, most web pages were just plain and couldn’t do much. Users couldn’t really play around with the websites they visited. But now, JavaScript is everywhere on the internet. Every webpage and browser you use depends on it. Nowadays, pretty much all the cool stuff on the internet is possible because of JavaScript.

Pros:

• Relatively easy to learn
• Versatile
• Great Community
• Dynamically typed Language

Cons:

• Security vulnerabilities
• Relatively slow

You may like: SOLID Principles in Python

3. Swift

Swift is a programming language developed by Apple Inc. for developing applications for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS platforms. It was first introduced in 2014 and has since become one of the most popular programming languages for Apple platforms.

Famous Apps built with Swift:

• Airbnb
• Kickstarter
• WordPress
• Coursera
• Artsy

Swift is the most popular language for building apps for Apple devices. The list of famous apps built with Swift is a testament to its popularity and adoption.

Pros:

• Easy to learn
• Fast
• Safe
• Efficient

Cons:

• Limited to Apple’s OS
• Limited Library support

4. Rust

Rust is another promising programming language. It has been on the coding radar due to its blazing-fast speed and memory safety features. In addition to that, speed benchmarks have confirmed that Rust is one of the fastest programming languages.

Sites using Rust:

• Dropbox
• Figma
• Cloudflare
• Discord
• Amazon

It is a fact that Rust has a steep learning curve, because of some concepts like ownership and borrowing. But, with time, patience, and practice, anyone can master Rust. Plus, you are not alone in this learning journey, Rust has an amazing community of developers, which will surely enhance your learning experience.

Pros:

• Blazing Fast Speed
• Memory Safety
• Concurrency
• Community support

Cons:

• Steep Learning curve
• Limited Library support

5. TypeScript

TypeScript is another great addition to our list. It is a superset of JavaScript. Recently, the trends show that it has been gaining popularity as it helps programmers identify and catch errors at initial phases by adding features like static typing. You can look for code editors in this list.

Sites using Typescript:

• Slack
• Kavak
• BitPanda
• Medium
• DoorDash

So, let’s quickly look at the pros and cons of TypeScript:

Pros:

• static Typing
• Increased scalability
• Interoperability
• Growing job market
• Open Source Community

Cons:

• Steep Learning curve
• Slow Compilation time

6. GO

Golang programming language (also known as Go) was first introduced to the public in 2009. Soon after its release, go gained popularity among the developer community due to its simplicity, maintainability, garbage collection, and support for concurrency.

Go is used in these fields:

• DevOps
• Game Development
• Robotics
• AI

The adoption rate among developers is still on the rise for building various types of applications, mostly cloud-based or server-side applications.

In the past few years, As more and more companies are adopting Go, the demand for Go developers is also on the rise. The ease of building high-performing systems makes Go a top choice for developers worldwide.

Companies using Go:

• Twitch
• Dropbox
• BBC
• Microsoft
• Twitter

And, now let’s look at the pros and cons of Golang:

Pros:

• Easy to learn
• Fast
• Garbage Collection
• Statically typed
• Good community

Cons:

• Limited Library Support
• Repetitive error handling

Long story short, every programming language has its pros and cons. There are and will always be some tradeoffs even with the hottest programming languages every now and then. So, do not get overwhelmed by the list of pros and cons. If you are a newbie, just pick any language of your choice and get started. If you are a software engineer, the advice remains the same. And, if it is a side project or a project for a client, do some research and just start.

It is very easy to get stuck in the research part and not actually implement what’s important. This is the hard truth I had to learn with time. Heard about ANALYSIS PARALYSIS, it is exactly what it is.

So, fuel up those laptops, and happy coding!