The software development landscape continues evolving rapidly. New programming languages emerge and existing ones gain more popularity for building innovative applications. As an aspiring developer, what coding languages should you learn in 2024 to future proof your skills?
Here we explore the top 10 hottest programming languages that will remain important in 2024 and beyond. We analyze what makes these languages significant based on their key strengths, industry demand, applicability for beginners, salaries offered and more. Read on to find which language could be best suited for your career path.
1. Python
Python has become the most popular multipurpose programming language among developers, especially useful for AI/ML applications. The simplicity of its syntax and readability makes Python easy to learn even for complete beginners.
Key Features:
- - General purpose high & middle-level language
- - Simple and readable syntax, easy for beginners
- - Vast libraries and frameworks for AI, ML, automation, web apps etc
- - Cross-platform capability
With global giants like Google, Facebook and Amazon using Python extensively in their tech stack, Python skills are highly sought after. The average annual salaries for Python developers range from $60K to $120K per year.
If you want to future proof your career with an in-demand coding skill then learning Python is a great bet. The versatile applications of Python make it an essential mainstream language for years ahead.
2. JavaScript
While Python leads server-side development, JavaScript dominates the front-end. JavaScript allows adding complex interactive functionality and visuals to web applications. From web developers to mobile programmers, JavaScript skills are essential for any serious coder today.
Key Features:
- - Frontend web development
- - Build single page applications
- - Animations and visual interactivity
- - Games and app development
- - Full-stack development (MERN)
With over 97% websites using JavaScript and front-end frameworks like ReactJS, AngularJS gaining immense traction, JavaScript will continue ruling web and app development space for a long time.
Salaries for JavaScript developers range from $65K to $150K per year depending on experience and skills. So if you want to code the front-end logic behind websites, web apps and mobile apps then JavaScript is the most versatile skill to learn.
3. Ruby
Ruby offers one of the most readable and productive environments for rapidly building prototypes and MVPs. The vast Ruby on Rails community makes it easier for beginners to find help and contributions.
Key Features:
- - Rapid web application development
- - Huge ecosystem of open source libraries
- - Startup favorite for quick MVPs
- - Very readable clean syntax
- - Object oriented and flexible
Ruby will continue empowering startups and entrepreneurs to build websites and web apps quickly and economically. Average salaries for Ruby programmers range from $65K to $100K per year.
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4. C++
For high-performance computing applications in gaming, finance, machine learning and graphics, C++ remains the top choice. It offers fine grained control over memory and hardware that allows building optimized applications with sheer speed and efficiency.
Key Features:
- - Blazingly fast performance
- - Hardware control for high-end computing
- - Gaming engines and graphics programming
- - Financial algorithmic trading platforms
- - Device drivers, embedded systems
Gaming engines like Unreal and Unity use C++ for their core framework. Also the rise of high frequency trading in finance ensures strong demand for expert C++ developers ahead. Average salaries for C++ programmers range from $70K to $125K per year.
So if you’re keen to build cutting-edge performant systems in finance, games, computer vision and IoT ecosystems, acquiring C++ skills early on is a good investment for future-proofing your career.
5. C#
While not as fast as C++, C# offers a nice balance between high-performance and rapid application development capabilities. It dominates the .NET ecosystem and is widely used for building Windows desktop applications and games.
Key Features:
- - Rapid development of Windows apps
- - High performance relative to Java
- - Cross-platform compatibility through .NET 6
- - Gaming development with Unity
- - Enterprise grade web apps
Strong corporate demand for .NET developers and increased cross-platform capabilities mean C# will continue flourishing in future. Average salaries for C# developers range from $67K to $100K per year.
If you specifically want to focus on building Windows centered applications, games and enterprise systems then C# is a lucrative skill for the long run.
6. Go-Lang (Golang)
The Go programming language (Golang) has rapidly gained popularity in recent years due to its capabilities for building secure, scalable and highly available services. Its sweet spot is cloud native, distributed and concurrent applications.
Key Features:
- - Lightning fast performance
- - Easy concurrency through goroutines
- - Simple and boilerplate free syntax
- - Excellent for microservices architecture
- - Cloud native capabilities
Go is being adopted by tech giants like Google, Uber, Dropbox etc for next-gen cloud infrastructure and tooling. Average salaries for Go developers range from $65K to $170K per year.
So if you want to work on cutting-edge cloud technologies and distributed systems powering modern internet scale applications, Go is an excellent investment for future proof skills.
7. Swift
For iOS development, Swift reigns supreme as the official language backed by Apple. It offers a clean and intuitive syntax with modern features like type safety, concurrency, error handling etc.
Key Features:
- - iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS development
- - Interactive playgrounds for rapid testing
- - Modern language with functional capabilities
- - Statically typed for security
- - Interoperability with Objective-C
Demand for quality iOS and macOS developers will continue rising exponentially. Average salaries for Swift developers range from $65K to $140K per year.
If you want to get into Apple ecosystem development, learning Swift is the best way to start building engaging iOS and macOS applications.
8. Java
Although Java is an old programming language, it continues to be most widely used by large enterprises and Fortune 500 companies. From ecommerce platforms to Android app development, Java holds significant relevance because of its OOP approach, portability across platforms, vast community and extensive libraries.
Key Features:
- - Object oriented language
- - Robust libraries and frameworks
- - WORA (write once run anywhere) philosophy
- - Secure compared to C/C++
- - Powers millions of apps and platforms
The demand for Java programmers has remained consistently high for many years. And that’s expected to continue with lucrative fintech, healthcare and IoT projects needing Java’s capabilities. Salaries for Java coders range from $65K to $130K annually.
So whether you want to get into Android development or build robust enterprise grade applications, Java is a great skill to add in your repertoire in 2024 and beyond.
9. Rust
Rust is a relative newcomer gaining immense traction because it solves two highly desirable attributes - speed and safety. By eliminating entire classes of bugs and vulnerabilities through compiler level checks, Rust allows blazingly fast code without crashes or security holes.
Key Features:
- - Memory safety without garbage collector
- - Thread safety by default
- - Zero-cost abstractions for performance
- - Interoperable with C libraries
- - Great for embedded devices/IoT
Rust is emerging as a top choice for building secure and robust infrastructure, embedded devices, distributed networks and blockchain platforms. Average salaries for Rust developers range from $65K to $125K per year.
If you want to build robust and secure systems like OS, compilers, file systems and cryptocurrency wallets then Rust is a promising language for future systems programming.
10. SQL
SQL may not be cool or cutting edge but it continues to remain universally relevant across most programming stacks. Whether you build mobile apps, web platforms, analytics engines or enterprise grids - managing data effectively requires SQL skills.
Key Features:
- - Database querying language
- - DATA analysis, manipulation and retrieval
- - Essential in most technology stacks
- - Skill applicable across domains
- - Basically required knowledge
With data becoming the most valuable asset driving competitive advantages, SQL skills will continue enjoying stable demand in future. Average salaries for database developers and SQL programmers range from $60K to $120K per year.
Whether you eventually specialize in front-end, back-end, data science or full stack development, having fundamental SQL skills is basically a prerequisite.
The programming language spectrum has expanded exponentially, with developers today being spoiled for choice. However, thelanguages discussed above will continue playing a pivotal role across most technology stacks in 2024 and beyond.
Each language carries its own strengths and appeals to certain domains more. Assess your own specific career interests - whether app development, data science, cloud computing or analytics before deciding on languages to learn from this list.
While options abound, one simply cannot go wrong in future proofing themselves with broadly applicable languages like Python and JavaScript. However, explore and play around with different languages to find the best fit for your passions.
The world runs on code and that dependence will only grow deeper. So building a solid coding foundation early with mainstream languages that offer long term prospects is key to sustaining a successful developer career over the next decade.
