A 2018 update of the most popular and in demand computer programmes worldwide.
It should be no surprise that there is a still a growing demand worldwide for software developers. Further, as we highlighted in the 5 tech skills everyone should develop in 2017, developing coding skills was at the top of the list. In this article, we highlight the most popular programing languages in 2018.
However, as we noted last year, when presented the Best programming language to learn in 2017, “there are scores of programming languages out there”. Some languages can be used for a broad range of purposes, whilst others ought to be used for specific purposes or in a particular environment. Hence, it is recommended that you identify the programming languages that could help you advance in your field of work.
What are the programming languages that are in demand?
In Exhibit 1 below, we have compiled the top 10 list four popular and frequently referenced resources, which regularly poll and publish updated rankings. Across the lists, there are several common languages, specifically, Java, JavaScript and the C family (C, C++, C#), which are some of the older and more difficult languages to master. They are also still the languages of choice for many of the popular software applications we take for granted.
Exhibit 1: Top programing languages for 2018 (Sources: Tiobe, IEEE, Stack Overflow, PYPL Index)
On the other hand, some of the more recent languages such as Python, Go, Swift and Ruby, are simpler to learn and growing in popularity – evidenced by their presence in some of the top 10 ranking. It may thus be useful for you to consider getting familiar with one or two of them, to better broaden your appreciation of these newer languages, and their appeal.
Programming languages that deserve your attention
As noted above, there appears to be no definitive list of languages, as each of the resource we reviewed uses slightly different indicators and weightings to determine its top 10 list. However, for the commonalities that exist, we suggest – at the very least – that the following four languages (or groups of languages) are deserving of specific attention:
Java. Java is arguably the most popular programming language, which is still in great demand, as it is widely used for desktop applications and backend web systems. Further, virtually all applications for the Android Operating System are based on Java. Additionally, due to the existing of the cross-platform Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Java can run on almost every platform. As a result, Java developers are still in great demand.
Python. Python is a seemingly simple, yet powerful, programming language that can be used in a variety of ways and situations, such as in robotics, big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), to name a few. Due to its simplicity, Python is relatively easy to learn, with proficient developers having very lucrative earning potential.
C family. Although it is one perhaps among the oldest programming languages in the top 10, it is powerful and quite still quite popular. As reflected in the ranking above, C, C++ and C# are the specific languages for which, generally, there is great demand. However, as mentioned earlier, languages within C family are is not as easy to learn as some of the newer languages, though some are easier than other, which emphasises the fact that expert C/C++/C# developers are needed.
JavaScript. JavaScript was the most popular language in the StackOverflow ranking. It is widely used for website development, and frequently, is used in concert with alongside HTML and CSS. JavaScript is not only popular among the developer community, as a language that can be easily learned, but also there is still demand for such skills, which is reflected in the salaries that can be earned.
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