Right now, there are about 9,000 programming languages. While some languages are very convenient for writing games, others are suitable for creating new apps. 

Being a successful developer means keeping up with all the current trends and predicting what’s waiting around the corner, as well as preparing for change. So, what’s relevant today? In this article, we’ll dive into the current world of coding and look at the top 9 most popular programming languages in 2024.

1. Python

The first on the list is Python, or, as it’s also known, a language of universal use. Such major players as Google, Instagram, Reddit, Dropbox, World of Tanks, Quora, and Netflix use it. Python is used to write games and web applications, scripts for the Internet of Things, machine learning programs, web scraping, instructions for microcontrollers, etc.

Simple syntax, large internal and many external libraries with ready solutions for any problem, and tolerance toward small developer errors allow beginners to get up to speed very quickly and start creating their own projects.

Code written in Python can be implemented on any operating system, including Arduino mini-computers and mobile devices. That’s why specialists with Python programming skills are in such high demand in the labor market. The potential this language has is mind-blowing and Python surely won’t become outdated in the next 10 years.

2. JavaScript

JavaScript is the most popular language for creating dynamic pages, mobile and web applications, and application software. Scripts written in JavaScript run on the client side. There are various counters, timers, 2D and 3D animations, and various visual elements that make the website “alive”, thanks to which the user can perform some actions on the page. JavaScript is supported by all modern browsers. Moreover, it’s so widespread that it’s even hard to find a website that doesn’t have elements written on it. 

You can write JavaScript code in any text editor: Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, Atom, and others. You can implement the ready code anywhere; in some cases, you can do it even without an interpreter.

A significant advantage of JavaScript is the jQuery library of ready functions. Thanks to it, even beginners can write plugins and scripts in this language.

3. Java

You shouldn’t confuse this language with JavaScript—they have no roots in common. Java is a general-purpose language. What is a general-purpose programming language? In simple words, it can be used to write software for anything—for example, a banking servicing system.

If we talk about web resources, the business network, like LinkedIn or Yahoo: their search engines can serve as vivid examples. Is Java suitable for beginners? No, it’s not the best place to start, but if we talk about demand, it is still in the top 3.

4. Go (Golang)

This language is a development of Google. Hence the name Go, or Golang (from Google language). It was originally intended for creating high-performance programs, but it is most often used for console utilities, back-end applications, and network software. Usually, these are small services that need to be developed and implemented quickly, but with maximum reliability and security.

Go is a high-performance language that consumes little memory, so it’s suitable for tasks related to processing large amounts of information. It’s used to write programs for statistics, parsers, etc. Golang is considered one of the best programming languages since it’s highly effective and easy to understand.

5. Swift

Apple created the programming language Swift so that developers could create programs that supported the macOS and iOS platforms. Because of its extreme speed and security, it’s become a vital tool for Apple developers and a fantastic option for anyone looking to create mobile apps.

6. Kotlin

Kotlin is a relatively young language since it was introduced in 2011. It became incredibly popular after Google officially announced support for it. Kotlin is mainly used to create different Android applications. By the way, the app versions of world-famous Pinterest and Uber were written in this language as well. 

New Languages to Keep an Eye On

7. Mojo

Modular, a startup with a specialization in artificial intelligence, released Mojo in May 2023. Mojo is a very promising new programming language for AI development that combines the simplicity of Python with the high performance of C. 

With a stellar development team and an ambitious development roadmap, Mojo is well-positioned to become the new standard in the future of the AI industry.

8. Carbon

In 2022, Google introduced Carbon, a new open-source programming language that is supposed to be the next C++. As the developer explained on his GitHub page, C++ is a language for building performance-critical applications, but it has many issues that frustrate modern developers. That’s when he had to introduce Carbon to the world.

9. V

V is an easy-to-learn, quick, secure, compiled general-purpose programming language to develop software that may be updated over time. Released relatively recently, in 2019, it quickly gained popularity and got plenty of positive reviews worldwide. 

V and Go are comparable in syntax, so Go developers can feel comfortable writing V code. 

How to Choose the Right Language for Your Career

When choosing a programming language to learn, you should rely on your specific needs and goals. 

For example, JavaScript, Python, or Java are better suited for web program development, while Kotlin or Swift are better suited for mobile application development. 

If you are only starting your journey in the programming world, it’s better to start with JavaScript or Python. JavaScript will become your foundation, which will later make it easier for you to master any language. On the other hand, Python is easy to learn and will allow you to implement many projects due to its versatility.

Additionally, understanding cybersecurity is essential for developers to protect their code and data. For more information, read about zero trust security to understand modern security challenges and how to safeguard your applications.

Conclusion

Each new language is easier to learn than the previous one. After all, a programming language is not only syntax but also a set of general concepts: working with memory, variables, different data types, peculiarities of mathematical calculations, loops, functional programming, etc. 

Once you master the general concepts, you will apply them in each new language. All that remains is to learn the syntax. And of course, practice, practice, and once again practice!