Top 15 Programming Languages To Learn

With technological innovation proceeding at a breakneck pace, programming skills are more in demand than ever before. But with new languages constantly emerging, how do you know which one is right to learn in 2023? According to recent surveys, Python accounts for 27.99% of market share, making it the most utilized programming language this year.

However, while Python leads in areas like data science and machine learning, other languages like JavaScript, Java, and C++ still dominate their critical spheres. The key is matching your language choice to your specific career aspirations and interests.

In this blog, we will present the top 15 programming languages to learn in 2023, along with their pros and cons. Whether you’re new to coding or are a seasoned pro looking to expand your skills, you’ll find the essential information needed to determine which language(s) are best for reaching your programming goals this year and beyond.

Let’s dive in!

What Is a Programming Language?

A programming language is a structured language that consists of a defined set of instructions designed to generate diverse types of output. Programming languages specify a series of instructions or programs for solving problems using a computer.

Pro-tip

Start by researching languages that interest you while also considering your long-term career goals and the needs of the industries you'd like to work in. Challenge yourself to learn languages across different paradigms, such as object-oriented, functional, and scripting. Most importantly, focus on mastering fundamental skills like problem-solving, version control, testing, and security that will transfer across any language. Prioritize languages with a broad range of applications, ensuring adaptability across various projects. Additionally, constantly engage with the programming community, attend meetups, and leverage online resources.

At the most basic level, a programming language includes vocabulary, syntax rules, & semantics to provide communication between humans and machines. They enable developers to create software applications, algorithms, scripts, & more by providing a way to express logic, data manipulation, and control flow.

Programming languages come in various forms, including high-level languages like Python, Java, & C++, which offer abstraction from low-level hardware details, & low-level languages like assembly language, which provide more direct control over computer hardware.

What are the Major Types of Programming Languages?

There are several types of programming languages based on their design and programming paradigms. The major categories include procedural, object-oriented, functional, logical, and scripting languages. Let’s explore each of them in detail –

1. Procedural Programming Languages

Procedural programming languages organize programs using procedures or functions to perform operations or computations. The key aspects of procedural languages include calling and nesting procedures/functions and passing data between them using parameters and return values.

Some examples are C, Pascal, and FORTRAN. These languages are widely used in engineering, gaming, and finance due to their breakdown of complex programs into reusable blocks of code.

2. Functional Programming Languages

Functional programming languages are more flexible as programs are composed of functions that avoid mutable states and side effects. This makes reasoning about programs easier. Functions operate only on their input arguments and return results.

Common features include nested functions, immutable data, and support for parallelism. Functional programming is well-suited for parallel processing and has gained popularity in academia.

3. Object-oriented Programming Languages

Object-oriented languages model programming around objects that contain encapsulated data and functionality. Features like classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction allow for the construction of large, intricate systems without worrying about internal implementations.

Popular OO languages are Java, Python, C++, and Ruby. They are heavily used in software development due to enabling code reuse and flexible designs through hierarchies of classes and interconnected objects.

4. Scripting Languages

Scripting languages are easy to learn with dynamic typing and interpretation rather than compiling code. Popular scripting languages include Python, Perl, Ruby, PHP, JavaScript, and Bash. Python is widely popular for its simplicity and extensive libraries. Perl excels at text processing.

Bash is used commonly on Linux/Unix shells. Scripting languages commonly serve purposes like web page generation, system administration, and rapid application development.

5. Logical Programming Languages

Logical programming languages are based on formal logic and allow the expression of a problem in terms of objects and rules. Prolog is an example of a logical language where programs consist of sets of facts and rules to reason about problems.

Logical languages are well-suited to problems involving reasoning and inference. They provide a concise and flexible means of representing information and solving problems compared to procedural or imperative paradigms.

6. Imperative Programming

Imperative programming focuses on describing the sequence of operations or steps a computer needs to solve a problem rather than describing the problem itself. It manipulates program state and mutable data structures. Imperative languages include C, C++, Java, and Python.

They are widely employed in system programming, embedded systems, and performance-critical applications that need low-level control over hardware.

15 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2023

Selecting programming languages to learn based on factors like popularity, career opportunities, versatility, & prospects can help expand your skills and job prospects. From foundational languages like Python & JavaScript to newer entrants like Rust, these top 15 options will allow programmers to build cutting-edge solutions and keep their skills relevant in the year ahead. The 15 top programming languages are below –

1. C++

C++ is a general-purpose top programming language invented in the early 1980s by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs. It is similar to the earlier programming language C, which was invented in the early 1970’s. However, C++ is a safer language than C and includes a range of modern programming techniques, for example, object-oriented programming.

The purpose of C++ is to precisely define a series of operations that computers can perform to accomplish a task. While the majority of these operations involve manipulating text and numbers, anything that the computer is physically able to do can be programmed in C++.

A C++ program can do typical programming tasks such as inputting data into or pulling it out of a database, controlling electronic devices connected to the PC, composing or playing music and sound effects or displaying high-quality, high-speed graphics in games or videos.

2. Python

Python is the best programming language for beginners with dynamic semantics. A combination of high-level built-in data structures and dynamic binding and typing make it ideal for Rapid Application Development, and it is also often used as a glue or scripting language to connect existing opponents.

Python boasts a simple, easy-to-read syntax that places emphasis on readability and reduces the cost of program maintenance, making it a firm choice amongst beginner and amateur coders.

Often, programmers find Python the most productive choice, so it’s no surprise that this coding language has a bit of a cult following. The curtailing of code lines compared to other programming languages when achieving the same or similar outcomes is one of the reasons why Python is such a popular choice.

3. JavaScript

JavaScript is a scripting language developed by Netscape in 1995 to add dynamic behavior and interactivity to web pages. While initially only supported in web browsers, JavaScript engines like Node.js now allow the use of JS more broadly for server-side development. JavaScript remains the most widely used language for front-end web development.

JS allows the creation of responsive, interactive web interfaces by manipulating DOM elements dynamically without page reloads. It handles validation, animation, AJAX calls, event handling, and more on the client side.

JavaScript is an accessible language for beginner developers, given its forgiving syntax and prevalence on the web. Experienced developers also leverage JavaScript for complex applications thanks to its object orientation, first-class functions, and prototypal inheritance.

JS powers the interactivity on the vast majority of websites. It has stood the test of time as an essential language for front-end web development.

4. Java

Java is one of the best programming languages for beginners out there, and many developers would agree that, just like coffee, it’s pretty damn hot. Java is one of the most commonly used programming languages, allowing developers to ‘write once, run anywhere’.

This programming language is well-known for its few implementation dependencies and the ability to easily run on any platform supporting Java without the need for recompilation.

Although Java is one of the oldest programming languages out there, having been available to the public since 1996, it’s certainly not showing any signs of slowing down in the future. It is a very handy coding language to know today.

One of the most attractive features of this best coding language is that it allows coders to write using English-based commands rather than numeric codes. Because humans can read and write it easily, it’s a popular choice for those learning to code for the first time.

5. HTML

When it comes to choosing the best programming languages to learn, you can’t go wrong with an industry staple. Hypertext Markup Language, or HTML, is necessary to describe the structure of a website and web page. Web pages use HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to control the structure, appearance, and functionality.

Although you can find many front-end editing tools and plugins that allow you to forego entering HTML code into the website’s backend manually, it’s certainly worth learning this language as a developer since it plays such a significant role in any website or webpage today.

Since it is a fundamental staple of programming a website, it is also one of the most popular coding languages to learn for the first time, whether you’re hoping to dabble in web development or are considering pursuing a career as web developers.

HTML and CSS are the best places to start if you’re more geared towards design programming rather than creating software. You can use these two coding languages to assemble a website’s basic building blocks and customize it to suit the organization’s branding and unique appearance.

This guide on HTML in web development; could be useful, as it teaches the basics of the coding language and applies it to developing a web page, which is the most likely use of this programming language.

6. Ruby

Ruby and its framework, Ruby on Rails, comprises one of the most controversial programming options available today. Developers don’t seem to be able to agree as to whether Ruby on Rails is a ‘dead’ language or whether it’s worth taking the time to learn. A quick Google search on this issue will bring up tons of information to help you decide.

However, Ruby and Ruby on Rails can be a solid choice for new developers who are learning a new coding language. Firstly, research statistics show that regardless of popular opinion on the internet, it’s one of the most in-demand programming languages.

Secondly, the intuitive design philosophy is designed to streamline the process and specifically pertains to programmers who work on customized software development. Many clients still prefer Ruby on Rails to popular coding languages such as Angular and PHP, but while some developers have embraced the change, others have struggled to make the switch.

Some of the best reasons to consider learning Ruby on Rails as a new developer are easy tools for automated testing along the way, swift development with less actual coding required, and the expressiveness that comes with using a coding language as close as possible to English.

7. C#

C# is an object-oriented programming language created by Microsoft as part of its .NET framework. C# builds on syntax and structures from languages like C++ and Java but with optimization and simplifications. Like Java, C# provides automatic memory management through garbage collection, which enhances programmer productivity.

C# is used for developing a wide range of Windows, web, and mobile applications. Its tight integration with the .NET libraries and visual development tools like Windows Forms and WPF have made C# a preferred choice for internal business applications.

Key advantages of C# include its simplicity, modernity, versatility, & wealth of resources. Microsoft’s strong support has cultivated a vibrant developer community. C# continues to evolve rapidly by adding new features with recent versions like async/await, pattern matching, nullable reference types, and global using directives.

C# finds the right balance between high-level abstraction and low-level control. For many use cases where Java or C++ have traditionally dominated, C# provides a more agile alternative.

8. SQL

SQL (Structured Query Language) is another best coding language designed for managing data in relational databases. Software developers and data analysts widely use it to retrieve, manipulate, and format data from relational databases.

SQL allows performing a wide range of operations like querying, inserting, updating, and deleting data. Queries can filter, sort, join tables, group results, and return specific columns. SQL provides a consistent language to access data across different database systems.

While SQL can be complex, basic statements like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE are easy to learn. SQL powers many robust enterprise databases supporting critical business systems. Strong demand for data analysts and developers proficient in SQL exists, given its widespread use. SQL provides a foundational language for interacting with relational databases.

9. Go

Go is an open-source programming language developed by Google in 2007. Also called Golang, it provides built-in concurrency and garbage collection. Go is syntactically similar to C but with added features like memory safety, structural typing, and CSP-style concurrency control.

Designed for modern, networked systems development, Go offers a fast compile time and efficient executables. This makes Go well-suited for building web applications, cloud services, distributed systems, and network servers. Go excels for infrastructure software, DevOps tooling, highly concurrent network services, and performance-critical backends.

Go adoption has grown swiftly over the past decade thanks to its simplicity, speed, scalability, and built-in concurrency. Go handles multicore and networked machines efficiently while feeling lightweight. Go compiles down to standalone native binaries, which simplifies deployment.

Go’s structural typing means less code devoted to defining types. Overall, Go delivers a pragmatic language, improving programmer productivity on modern infrastructure.

10. PHP

PHP is an open-source server-side scripting language optimized for web development. PHP code is embedded into HTML pages and interpreted by a web server with a PHP processor module pre-installed. PHP works well for dynamically generated web page content, including HTML, JSON, and XML.

PHP exploded in popularity for its simplicity, low learning curve, and rapid development cycle. PHP integrates well with databases like MySQL and frameworks like Laravel. Nearly 79.2% of websites have backend code written in PHP, including major sites like Facebook and Wikipedia. PHP works effectively for typical CRUD web applications.

PHP is free, widely supported, and available on almost all web servers and platforms. PHP code can interact with databases and file systems, which enables dynamic content and storage. PHP has evolved significantly over time by adopting modern language features and practices.

However, other languages like Python and Node.js provide stronger alternatives today. Still, PHP remains a major server-side language powering a large share of the web.

11. Swift

Swift is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm, compiled programming language developed by Apple for iOS, macOS, and Linux. Swift was designed to be easy for new programmers to learn and powerful enough for complex app development.

Key features include inferred types, options, closures, generics, and type safety. Swift uses the LLVM compiler & can be tightly integrated with Objective-C code. It supports protocol-oriented programming and has robust error handling built in.

Swift code executes quickly and uses Automatic Reference Counting for memory management. Since its launch in 2014, Swift has become popular for iOS & macOS development, though it can be used for a wide range of applications.

12. Rust

Rust is a multi-paradigm, compiled systems programming language sponsored by Mozilla. It emphasizes safety, speed, and concurrency. Rust uses stack allocation, prevents race conditions at compile time, and does not require garbage collection due to its ownership-based resource management system.

Notable features include trait-based generics, pattern matching, type inference, minimal runtime, and efficient C bindings. Rust supports functional and imperative procedural paradigms.

It was designed for performance and control over system resources, making it useful for embedded systems, operating systems, device drivers, audio/video analysis, and other low-level systems.

The Rust compiler helps enforce memory safety while retaining the performance of a low-level language. Rust has a steep learning curve but brings unique advantages in safety and speed for systems programming.

13. Scala

Scala is a general-purpose programming language that integrates object-oriented and functional programming paradigms. Designed to express common programming patterns in a concise and type-safe way, Scala runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and is compatible with existing Java code.

Scala code is compiled to Java bytecode, so Scala programs can seamlessly interact with Java APIs. Key features include implicit parameters, pattern matching, lazy evaluation, immutable data structures, higher-order functions, and a strong static type system.

Scala provides language interoperability, scalability, and increased productivity versus pure object-oriented approaches. It gives developers a smooth transition from Java, making it popular for big data, distributed computing, and component-based software engineering.

14. Kotlin

Kotlin is a cross-platform, general-purpose, open-source programming language developed by JetBrains. It runs on the Java Virtual Machine and can be compiled into JavaScript or native code. Kotlin combines object-oriented and functional programming features.

Its key features include type inference, null safety, extension functions, coroutine support, higher-order functions, and more. Kotlin aims to increase programmer productivity by providing concise, safe, pragmatic syntax. It is designed to interoperate fully with Java code, allowing gradual adoption in existing Java projects.

Kotlin can be used for Android mobile app development, web applications, desktop applications, server-side development, and more. It is an official language for Android development, and the Kotlin Foundation promotes Kotlin adoption. Kotlin enhances code quality and development speed on the JVM.

15. R

R is an open-source programming language and software environment designed for statistical computing, data analysis, and graphical representation. R provides a wide variety of statistical and graphical techniques, including linear and nonlinear modeling, time series analysis, classification, clustering, and more.

It is highly extensible through user-contributed packages on CRAN, Bioconductor, GitHub, and elsewhere. Key features include vectorized operations, simple and uniform data structures, dynamic typing, lexical scoping, closure support, and pipelines.

R has an array of tools for data munging, cleaning, visualization, transformation, reshaping, and modeling. R’s base and recommended packages provide standard statistical and graphical procedures.

Its semantic vector language makes it easy for statisticians and data miners to create complex analytics. R is widely used in academia, data science, financial services, industry research, and more.

Bottom Line

As we’ve explored, there is an array of powerful programming languages to learn in 2023, each with its strengths and uses. While popular software like Python and Java continue to stand out, nimble languages like Go and Rust have shown impressive growth.

Ultimately, there is no one “best” language – it all depends on your specific interests and the types of projects or roles you’d like to pursue. For newer coders, Python and JavaScript are great options to start building fundamental skills. For mobile development, Kotlin and Swift are dominant players. For systems programming, C and C++ still can’t be beat.

The key is focusing on languages aligned with your goals and continuing to add new tools to your belt over time. Whatever language(s) you choose to learn, programming skills will serve you well in our digital world.

Just dive in, experiment relentlessly, learn eagerly, and let your code shape the future.

Garima Khandelwal

A Digital marketing expert with a passion for all things digital. With a wealth of experience in the field, can excel at crafting and executing data-driven marketing strategies that drive results. Also, loves to travel and explore new things.