10 Most Currently Popular Coding Languages

Code is fast becoming the “new foreign language” that students of all ages want to learn. But, even though we hear the words “Java” and “HTML” being thrown around, most of us don’t really know what they mean or what the differences are. Here is our handy guide to the 10 most currently popular coding languages, and what you need to know about them:

1. Java – considered the most widely used language, and heavily influenced by C and also C++. It is an ‘object-oriented’ language, which is a very common programming concept/style. Mostly used to build applications.
2. C – most influential language, as it is what a lot of other popular languages are based off of (like C++, Java, Javascript, Perl, Python). Many agree that if you know C, it will be easier for you to pick up other programming languages, so it’s often the first language that people study and learn before moving onto C# or C++.
3. PHP – a popular web development language that allows for deeper “server-side” web development. It is much more intensive and detailed than JavaScript, and is more focused on the fundamentals of programming when compared to most other web development languages.
4. Ruby– a dynamic, reflective, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language. It was designed and developed in the mid-1990s by Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto in Japan. Ruby embodies syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features and was also influenced by Eiffel and Lisp.
5. Python – a popular  and versatile language, that derives less from C than the above languages. It is considered to be a language designed to be easy to read and decipher. However, it is also considered to be a slow language that takes more time to write with. It serves as a very good language for analytical and statistical purposes.
6. Objective-C – the language that is used to develop all Apple systems and mobile apps. The popularity of iPhone’s and iPad’s have made Objective-C a highly in-demand language. It is recommended that you have an understanding of C before learning Objective-C.
7. C++ – widely used language in a professional and academic settings. Considered versatile because it can be used to fit different programming styles. I’d say that most people use the ‘object-oriented’ style of C++. Heavily influenced by C. Used to build systems and applications (which run in top of systems).
8. JavaScript – despite the name, JavaScript is derived from C, not Java, and is actually pretty different and entirely separate from Java. JavaScript is mostly used in web development (for example, it is most often used to interact and communicate with web/Internet browsers).
9. HTML5 and Related Technologies- HTML is  a language that is used to build web pages, and by far the most commonly used for that purpose. People interested in web development usually start with HTML, as many languages (like JavaScript) are designed to interact with websites that are built in HTML. HTML5 is a hybrid of different very complicated technologies that allow it to do wonders. Only few people in the world REALLY know HTML5 – it’s going to take a while, but it is an extremely important technology!
10. SQL – a data and database development language. It is focused on managing, storing, creating, and analyzing data. There are many different types of SQL languages as companies have made their own versions, although Microsoft’s version (called T-SQL) is most common. Since SQL’s focus is on data, it has more of a commercial use and should be considered to be in an entirely separate category of languages than ones used for software or web development.

Are you or your child interested in learning how to program? We are excited to stay on the cutting edge of important skills for our students, and are thrilled to have coding and programming experts on our team of tutors- work with them to learn the programming languages that fit your needs!

Written by: Editorial Team, My Learning Springboard, Inc.