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Which Coding Language Should You Learn? Check This List Before You Start!

Information Technology (IT) continues to be one of the most trending career paths in 2022, according to a recent report by Forbes. While IT is a huge umbrella term, the trendiest and most sought-after fields within would be – software development, testing, cybersecurity, and data science. Wondering what all these paths have in common? Yes, it is coding. If you are considering diving into this industry then you must read this article before getting started. It will help you not only learn more about the pros and cons of coding but also answer the pressing question, “What coding language should I learn?”

Also read : What is Coding ? A detailed blog on coding and its growing popularity.

What Coding Language Should I Learn First?

Picking the right programming language when you are just starting is not easy. You need to understand what sets each coding language apart. And most importantly, you must see what will help your career flourish. The first coding language you learn is your first exposure to the world of IT and programming. It has the power to help you fall in or out of love with the entire space!

Is it Possible to Choose the Wrong Programming Language First?

Yes! Most often people choose a programming language based on their nascent understanding. Friends, colleagues, word-of-mouth, advertisements, pop culture, budget, influencers, and a whole lot of other factors can impact the choice you make. But remember, if you pick a programming language that is too easy, you might not learn enough concepts and won’t be useful in the long run. But if you pick something that is extremely challenging, you might not perform well and this might lead to disinterest! Finding that sweet spot is vital. But how do you get started? The internet has way too much information. And so do the people around you. But, Emeritus is here to help you make an informed decision.

The Most Common Coding Languages

As per StackFlow’s 2021 survey, Javascript was voted the most popular programming language. This was closely followed by HTML, CSS, SQL, and Python . Clojure was the highest paying programming language with an average annual salary of US $95,000 followed by F# with $81,037. In this blog, we will discuss the five most popular programming languages: Python, C#, Java, Javascript, and Ruby.

Also read: What is Full Stack Development

Benefits of Learning Python

Python is one of the most chosen programming languages to learn first for its wide use and simplicity. It is a great stepping stone to learning more complex programming languages and frameworks!

Here are the benefits of learning python:

Across industries, developers rely on Python for automation, big data , and data mining. It is ideal for general-purpose applications.
It is used to develop prototypes. Python is simple, easy to read and work with, and most importantly very versatile.
Python is ideally suited for large development projects, first-time developers, and multi-programmers.
An entry-level Python developer’s annual salary on average is US $ 59,888 and can go up to $111,605 based on experience and skill.

Also read: What is Python coding

Benefits of Learning C#

C# is often regarded as one of the most versatile programming languages ideal to build robust applications across the ecosystem. It is object-oriented and the learning curve is not steep, making it perfect for beginners.

C# is very versatile and allows engineers to build applications that run in the .NET ecosystem
Engineers who are well versed in C and C++ can easily master C#, they do not need any special training
C# is a natural fit for building dynamic websites and applications. As it is object-oriented websites built using C# are easily scalable and very efficient
According to Glassdoor , the average pay for a C# engineer is US $89,000 a year.

Benefits of Learning Java

There are four main reasons for Java’s growing popularity: Robustness, ease of use, cross-platform capabilities, and security features. Here are the biggest benefits of learning Java:

It is object-oriented and allows users to create modular programs with its reusable code
Moving from one computer to another is easy because Java is not platform-dependent. It is not only independent at source but also at binary levels.
Java is one of the easiest programming languages to write, compile, debug, and learn.
Java developers make US $93,118 on average as per Glassdoor

Also read : The rise, fall, and rise of women in coding

Benefits of Learning Javascript

The biggest concern that most developers have is the number of languages they need to learn. One for frontend, one for backend, one for mobile apps, and a whole other one for game development. Needless to say, it is extremely difficult and time-consuming. What is the solution to this? What Coding Language Should I Learn to solve all these problems? The answer is.. Javascript!

What are the benefits of learning Javascript:

Gone are the days when Javascript was only used for basic website development. It is now an integral part of websites and applications, nearly 95% of them
It is the default language of the internet. Therefore, you can run and test your code in the browser. There is no need to create a special development environment or any kind of setup in a text editor.
Versatile and is used in big data, cloud development, frontend, backend, blockchain, machine learning, AI, automation, and a whole lot more!
In the United States, JavaScript developers earn an average yearly salary of $117,576 per year , as per Indeed .

Benefits of Learning Ruby

Though not as popular as it once was, Ruby is still one of the most popular and widely used programming languages. It is especially popular among beginners. On the other hand, Large enterprises like GitHub and Airbnb are also continuously using Ruby on Rails across a range of projects.

Here are the benefits of learning Ruby:

Ruby on rails is the most popular version. However, Ruby is not only Rails. It is continuously evolving. There is a lightweight solution now called Sinatra .
To keep up with the times, frameworks offering different approaches like Hanami , and even frameworks for event sourcing are growing in popularity.
Ruby’s objective is to be reliable, consistent, and mature. Beginners and professionals alike use this language because of its well-established set of practices.
The average annual pay for a Ruby Programmer in the United States is $103,986 a year .

What Coding Language Should I Learn?

We have to consider multiple factors before concluding on one answer. You need to first analyze your requirement, why are you trying to learn a programming language, and what you wish to achieve. Once that is clear you can begin to learn about all coding languages or consider starting with one of the more popular languages below.

If you are a beginner and looking for something easy and widely used: Python
Looking for a strong foundation to make you a master developer in the future: C, C++, C#
Are you looking for a developer job or want to make mobile applications using a robust language: Java
Want to try front-end development but also want the language to be versatile for backend, mobile applications, and game development: Javascript
Are you programming for your startup’s website and looking for a reliable programming language that has consistent processes: Ruby

Recent Trends Related to Learning Coding

We cannot ignore the impact of digitization on organizations. This is the case across countries, industries, and functions. However, after 2020 and the global pandemic, organizations are looking to hire skilled developers to leverage the power of technology for continued business relevance and profitability. But is knowing a programming language enough to succeed as a developer? The short answer is NO.

Companies are looking for empathetic developers who have a good understanding of consumer needs. User-experience-led software design is critical now more than ever. Companies are redesigning customer-facing products and services. If you wish to become one such developer who delivers value, agility, and flexibility to an organization’s infrastructure then check out Emeritus’ coding programs. Choose from a wide range of courses from the world’s best universities and become a star developer.

By Manasa Ramakrishnan

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