The most popular coding languages in the world

This article aims to leverage data from Statista for a review and comparative analysis of the leading programming language in the world today. At the end of this study, JavaScript emerged as the undisputed leader, with over 60% of developers using the language. 

The structure of this article is listed below.

• A general overview of programming languages;
• The Criteria for selecting a programming language;
• Review of the ten leading programming languages worldwide.

Programming languages are tools that developers use to visualize, build and deploy various types of apps.  These languages differ extensively in their capabilities, functions, and development tools they provide. That is why some languages are more suitable for specific development projects.

The top backend providers in the world support popular languages for building web and mobile applications. However, a good knowledge of a language’s capabilities would help a developer select the most suitable specific development project.

Before we proceed to review the languages, let’s introduce programming languages to beginners. 

What are Coding Languages?

Programming language consists of various commands, instructions, and syntaxes for building apps on various computing platforms and embedded systems.

Programming languages are generally categorized into two, namely:

High-Level Programming Language: These are the set of languages used by developers to create various apps.

Low-Level Programming Language: The codes for an app must be converted to a low-level programming language before it works with the computing device hardware. 

The most striking difference between these two languages is that developers can read and analyze high-level programming language’s source code using familiar words and symbols.  For instance, such programming languages use terms such as “while.” “for,” “if,” “then,” and many others.  A few symbols used by high-level programming languages include “=.” +,” “<,” “{.”, and many more.  Many high-level programing languages are quite similar.

On the other hand, low-level programming languages consist of machine languages and assembly languages. Machine codes are also known as binary codes that the device processor can easily decode. They are utterly unreadable for humans. The assembly language has a complicated set of instructions and rules that make it challenging to read compared to the high-level programming language. 

A guide For Selecting a Coding Language for your Project

Since there are many programming languages in the world today, selecting the most appropriate one for your app project can be challenging. However, your business need and application requirement would determine the most appropriate programming language for any application. Here are the factors you should consider before selecting a programming language for any app development project.

• Are developers with expertise in the technology readily available?
• Is the platform opensource or proprietary?
• Will the programming language be maintained on the long-term?
• Your team’s ability to use the language effectively.
• Alignment with development benchmarks and best practices.

The Top Ten Coding Languages

Selecting the right programming language goes a long way to enhance the success of an app development project.  Before we delve into the details, below is the summary of the top 10 programming languages’ features discussed in this article.

1. JavaScript

JavaScript allows developers to add dynamic content and effects to static web pages.  It can also create 2D and 3D animations, embedded media players, interactive maps, and many other active functions.  It is used along with HTML and CSS as the unofficial standard for creating web pages. 

The Advantages

 Client-Side Scripting language:  The code of JavaScript is executed by processors embedded within the browser. This feature reduces server loads because the code is no executed on the server. 

Easy Learning Curve:  Because the programming syntaxes are forgivable and straightforward, making it is easy to learn for new developers. Developers can leverage peer functions to create objects without hassles. So, creating codes to perform custom functions is less complicated with JavaScript.

Highly Responsive: JavaScript codes are executed fast, and the results/effects are displayed almost instantly. Therefore, the pages with dynamic content coded in JavaScript performs faster and uses fewer resources. Since all the processing is done outside the server environment, it helps conserve server transfer costs. 

Extends Web Pages Functions: It is packed with rich features that enhance websites with dynamic content, which are impossible to achieve with HTML and CSS.  IT has been used extensively to create carious functions, including visual effects, data processing, interactive web page functions, and many more.  JavaScript also makes it easy to embed third-party scripts into web pages.

Features of JavaScript

Works on Any Platform:  Since JavaScript is executed on the browser, it can work on all server architecture, operating systems, and computing devices. It can run on all of these platforms without the need to modify scripts.

It’s lightweight: JavaScript performs all its functions within the browser fast and uses minimal system resources. Unlike general-purpose programming languages, JavaScript requires few libraries. That is why it is a highly efficient client-side programming language used to create web apps. 

Dynamic Typing:  The dynamic typing feature of JavaScript allows developers to declare variables without specifying a data type.  Simply use the “var” keyword before a data type to convert it into a variable.

Object-Oriented Programming Language:  JavaScript supports the inheritance and encapsulation of object-oriented programming. This makes it easy to create reusable code-blocks. 

Coding Functions: JavaScript support the use of functions as a unique object type. This feature allows developers to inject functions into other functions and also use them as objects.

Prototype Feature:  Rather than use class inheritance, JavaScript uses prototypes. In essence, developers create classes and objects for every class. However, object prototypes in JavaScript must be defined to allow the creation of additional objects without conflict.  

2. HTML and CSS

HTML and CSS are the primary languages used in creating static web pages. While HTML creates the website structure, CSS is used for designing the layout to look great across different computing platforms.  These languages are great for scripting web pages and web apps.

Developers use CSS for creating customized appearance for various devices. It controls vital aspects of the web page, such as responsiveness to screen size, layout, colors, fonts, and other visual-related functions. CSS inherently works with HTML, but it can also be used with other XML-related markup languages.  Because the stylesheet is independent of the HTML content, it is reusable. CSS provides an excellent avenue for change website visuals, customize web-page for a specific platform. 

Benefits of CSS

Very Efficient: CSS allows the developer to code web pages efficiently by applying and modifying stylesheets.  After editing a single CSS file, the developer can use the change in thousands of web pages without lifting a finger, negating the need to edit pages individually.  A single piece of CSS code can modify the appearance of an entire website. 

Enhance Page Speed: Since CSS allows developers to pack fewer HTML codes in a web page, the website becomes lighter and loads faster. That is why CSS-based web pages load more quickly than other types of HTML pages. A fast-loading page offers users a better experience and ranks better in the search engine result pages. 

Easy to Maintain: CSS makes the procedure of updating and maintaining web pages more straightforward than ever before. Simply edit the CSS files to implement visual changes across the entire website. 

Features of CSS and HTML

• A CSS rule contains two sections, which are the selector and detection components, respectively.
• The selector component selects an HTML element to be styled.
• Each declaration contains the CSS-property name, the value, and a semicolon.
• Several declarations within a block are separated from one another with semicolons.
• Each CSS block is enclosed in curly braces, while the semicolon indicates an end of a declaration.
• A developer can use CSS selectors to locate an HTML element using parameters like name, attribute, class, id, and many more. 
• Elements IDs are used for selecting unique elements. 
• The # sign is used in an element attribute, so the ID can be called within CSS for styling. 
• The period sign in front of an attribute indicates a class that can also be styled within CSS.
• Class and ID universal selectors can be used to match any HTML element. 

3. SQL

SQL is the abbreviation for Structured Query Language, a programming language used to create and manage database connections.  In fact, it is the standard language for working with Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS). Developers use SQL for various tasks ranging from creating databases to retrieving and updating database contents.

A few of the popular RDBMS are MySQL, Postgres, and Microsoft SQL Server. Most of these databases have their unique extension but depends on several SQL commands such as Create, Select, Update, Insert, and Drop for performing database-related operations. 

The Benefits of SQL

Very Agile: Developers can retrieve various sections of a massive database very fast. Other database operations such as selection, insert, delete are also very fast. 

Do Not Require Coding Skill:  Working with an SQL database does not need coding knowledge. A user can perform database operations using SQL keywords like INSERT, SELECT, UPDATE, and many others. Moreover, the syntax is simple, and the entire language is straightforward. 

Very Portable: SQL can be used to write programs across various devices and also on any platform. Application and programming language can also embed SQL commands to perform database functions.

Easy to Learn: A user can learn how to perform database functions with SQL quickly. 

Features of SQL

Impressive Performance: SQL can manage large databases and perform intensive queries without degrading its performance. Moreover, SQL gives the power to work with data with a high level of precision. 

Versatile: SQL is compatible with other leading database platforms. It also offers developers viable tools for creating application extensions.  These and other functions make it a preferred language for handling database assignments. 

It is Secure: SQL offers a wide array of security features that allows developers to assign several types of privileged access to the database, such as permissions, views, and data processes

4. Python

Python is an interpreted, object-oriented programming language that features several dynamic semantics. It is a useful language for creating applications quickly, offering features like high-level data structuring, dynamic typing, and dynamic binding.  Many developers use Python to establish connections between different components.

The syntax of Python is readable, easy to learn, and the maintenance is straightforward. Developers can access various Python resources such as packages and modules that expedites code creation and reuse. Python offers it’s binary and source code for different hardware architecture free of charge.

The Benefits of Python

Easy Learning Curve: Python’s syntax is similar to English, making it reasonably easy to learn, read, and write Python code.  That is why this programming language is recommended for new developers. Compared to other languages like C and Java, Python uses less code to perform actions.

Highly Productive: Python is a highly productive language, allowing developers to focus on their core programming assignments. Aspiring developers can avoid the steep learning curve required to learn other programming languages. With Python, you can write fewer codes to accomplish impressive results. 

An Interpreted Language: The Python code is executed directly, one line after the other. A scenario where the interpreter encounters an error stops executing the code and generates a report.  As such, debugging code in Python is straightforward.

Features of Python

Easy to Code: Compared to other programming languages, Python is easy to learn, code, and read. That it is among the most popular programming language in the world today. It is one of the most developer-friendly programming languages in the world today. It is easy to learn. 

Opensource and Free: Python is an opensource programming language available as a free download on the Python website.  So, Python code is easily accessible; it can also be modified and shared with others freely. 

Object-Oriented Programming Language: Python language supports objects, classes, and code encapsulation concepts of object-oriented programming languages.

5. Java 

Java is another object-oriented programming language with little dependencies. Java is well-known for its Write Once, Run Anywhere concept. In essence, Java code can be run on any platform without the need for recompiling it. The Java Virtual Machine used to compile Java does is not limited by the system architecture. Developers see Java as a viable means of creating multi-platform applications. 

While Java is similar to C and C#, it does not have extensive low-level features like reflection and runtime code modifications.

Benefits of Java

Simplicity: Java is straightforward; you can write and debug codes easily compared to other programming languages. While it supports novel features like garbage collection and memory management, it is not as complicated as C# and some other programming languages 

Object-Oriented: The object-oriented programming feature allows Java developers to create reusable blocks of code.

Multi-Platform: Once the Java virtual machine (JVM) is installed, Java programs can be launched on any platform without installing any other software. 

Distributed computing: This feature allows Java apps to communicate with one another within a network. So, developers can use Java to develop server-clients apps or peer-to-peer network communication apps. 

Features of Java

Simplicity: Since Java embraces the concepts of object-oriented programming, it is easy to learn, and writing Java codes is less complicated.

Secure: Java apps are secure and reliable because of the many in-built Java security features like public-key encryption authentication.

Multi-Platform: The apps compiled with Java is architecture-neutral. It works in any computing platform that has the Java Virtual machine installed.

6. C#

C-Sharp is a multi-purpose object-oriented programming language with several remarkable features such as functional, imperative, generic, declarative, and component-based programming methods.  C# was initially developed as an integral part of the .Net framework. It later emerged as a full-fledged programming language. 

Benefits of C#

Object-Oriented Programming: C# is an object-oriented programming language. As such, programmers can create modular apps that make app maintenance hassle-free and the code reusable. Most developers prefer C# over C++.

Cross-Platform Development: One of the impressive features of C# is its ability to create cross-platform apps. Once you have .Net framework on your system, you can start building apps for any platform you want with C#. See Cross-Platform Mobile Frameworks for more information about cross-platform development.

Automatic Garbage Collection: The automated garbage collection feature of C# handles garbage collection and garbage deletion when necessary. That is why C# has highly efficient in-memory management, and it’s code executes without bottlenecks. 

The Features of C#

• Developers can use any editor to write C# codes
• The opensource language works with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
• It is a multi-purpose programming language. It creates Android and iOS mobile apps, libraries, Windows store apps, backend frameworks, and lots more. 

 7. PHP

After its development in 1994, PHP has grown extensively to become the most widely used website development technology in the world today.  The scripting language used to mean Personal Home Page but has been changed to Hypertext Preprocessor. 

Web servers must have a Common Gateway Interface executable or the PHP interpreter module to understand and process PHP files. The PHP code is executed on the server before sending the HTTP response to the web browser.

The Benefits of PHP

• It is a free, opensource, general-purpose programming language. 
• It is easy to learn compared to languages such as ASP and JSP, 
• Most web hosting providers offer support for PHP because of its valuable web development features. 
• PHP is updated regularly to support leading-edge development technologies.
• Since PHP runs on the server, it works with any operating system that has a modern browser installed. 

Features of PHP

Simplicity: PHP is easy to use and has a short learning curve.  That explains why many developers prefer to use PHP.

Interpreted Language:  As an interpreted language, PHP don’t have to be compiled to work.

It is Fast: PHP is relatively faster than other scripting languages like ASP and JSP.

Opensource: It is opensource, and freely downloadable. 

8. TypeScript

TypeScript programming language is built on JavaScript, one of the most popular programming languages worldwide. However, it further extends JavaScript through static definitions.

The Benefits of TypeScript

It allows the developer to use static typing

It provides all the advantages of types without depending on types.

TypeScript can compile a JavaScript code version that works with all browsers.

It features IntelliSense and other reliable tooling support.

The Features of TypeScript

Object-Oriented Programming Language: Just like JavaScript, it supports object-oriented programming. It can also be used to write both client-side and server codes. 

Supports JavaScript Libraries: Since TypeScript supports JavaScript elements, developers can integrate JavaScript code into TypeScript.

C++

C++ is one of the first-generation object-oriented programming languages. In addition to its OOPS features, it also supports all the functions of C languages. 

The Benefits of C++

Portability: It is a portable and independent language. I can be used to create and launch the same program for different operating systems. 

Object-Oriented Programming:  One of the first-generation object-oriented programming languages that supports code usability and reliability of compiles apps.

Multiple Paradigm Support: C++ supports structure, process, and logic programming concepts. Despite being object-oriented, C++ paradigm is also generic and imperative. 

Features of C++

Simplicity: C++ is a simple and easy to use structural programming language. It also offers library and data types features. 

Portability: You can run programs in C++ on different system architecture without the need to modify it. Most assembly languages don’t work this way.

Structured Language: It separates the programming code into segments using functions. This feature allows users to modify codes easily.

 10. Go

The syntax of the Go programming language is similar to C. Still, it has additional features like structured typing, memory protection, garbage collection, and many more. 

The Benefits of Go

Minimalist Language: The specification of this language is brief, making it a minimalist programming language.  It is easy to read, write and code programs with Go.

Transparent Coding: The Single standard coding format of Go enhances transparency and clarity of coding

Features of Go

Binary Creation: It can create app binaries by leveraging in-built dependencies, negating the need for runtime installations. That is why it is relatively easy to develop apps with Go.

Easy to Use: Some object-oriented Go principles make it easy for developers to understand and use the language.

Extensive Standard Library: Go provides a standard library that consists of various useful tools and components for developers. 

Conclusion

We have used data from Statista to discuss the top ten programming languages globally.  JavaScript is the most widely adopted programming language, closely followed by HTML/CSS and SQL, respectively. 

This article also reviewed the features and benefits of each programming language.  Before selecting a programming language, make sure you consider factors such as the expertise of your team and issues regarding business sustainability. 

Hopefully, this article will help you select the best programming language for your app development project.

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