Five popular programming languages in 2022

The world would not exist without programming languages. Imagine life without computers, digital technology, and the Internet, without Instagram and TikTok. It would make our lives harder, and it's not impossible.

The history of programming languages

Before programming languages, the first programmers wrote instructions to operate machines in numbers. They had to memorize a table of machine codes rather than the basic algorithms and principles of language as they do now. Not long after that came the compiler, which made the programmer's job easier. Compilers were programs that translated the programmer's words into machine code. Assembly language became the first programming language.

Assembly language is a lowest-level programming language, considering the characteristics of a particular processor type. Lowest doesn't mean bad. This means that language operators focus on specific processor instructions and are close to machine code. The advent of assembly language significantly improved programmers' lives because they could now write programs with instructions made up of nearly universal language characters instead of 0 and 1. The language was a breakthrough in programming, popular because it allowed small programs to be written. Assembler programs are slower to start and run than machine code, but easier to write. That's how programming languages began to flourish.

In the 1950s, IBM developed the first algorithmic language for individual needs. It was named FORTRAN. There were already several languages that could convert arithmetic expressions into machine code, but the creation of FORTRAN was still considered a transition to the algorithmic language paradigm. The new language makes it possible to perform calculations only by writing algorithms using input/output operators and conditions.

Then ALGOL, PL/I, and SimulA-67 were produced. In the 1970s, the popular languages were Pascal and C.

New programming languages now appear in regularity. Many companies develop their languages, and independent developers are experimenting with this approach. Today, there are between 1,000 and 10,000 programming languages because the concept of programming languages has different meanings. Programming languages are classified according to various criteria: function, description entity, implementation mode, and other parameters. How variants of a language are classified is also important: whether they are separate languages.

The five most popular languages of 2022

Knowledge of several popular languages enables you to quickly and efficiently perform tasks developers face. In addition, knowing more than three programming languages makes you an irreplaceable expert. You can tackle resume programming projects and complement your professional portfolio by learning a new programming language.

Let's take a look at the five most popular programming languages you'll need the most in 2022.

1. Python

In terms of popularity, it is one of the easiest to learn and fastest to develop. It is used to create web pages, gaming platforms, robots, and various applications. Python even had a hand in the creation of artificial intelligence.

Python is an excellent choice for novice developers because it is simple, easy to learn, and versatile. Despite its short history, it has gained popularity because it provides a solution that is easier to understand than other programming languages.

Main characteristics of Python

• Cross-platform solutions
• An open-source, object-oriented language
• Asynchronous coding design
• Accessing multiple modules
• For ML and AI, desktop and Web applications

Disadvantages

• It is an implicit type

2. Java

Java is a versatile and prevalent choice in the world of Web development. Millions of programs are written in this language, and new ones are being created all the time, ensuring its popularity for decades to come. The language works on any platform, allows you to write various applications and graphical widgets at the expense of its functionality, and works excellent on all known operating systems. Java can be used to develop servers, web, clients, mobile applications, games, and research. It also allows you to understand the basic principles of programming through well-organized memory and peripheral work.

Main characteristics of Java

• High stability
• Stable Environment
• Portable across operating systems
• High-quality code compilation

Disadvantages

• Language is more complicated
• It will slow down the performance

3. JavaScript

JavaScript is used to create websites, games, and applications of varying complexity. It works on all browsers, even programs that don't exist on the Internet. It is a general-purpose coding language that automates tasks on web pages, achieves a lot of interactivity, and adds animation. JavaScript components and algorithms can be applied to other languages. It is often used for the professional development of web resources.

Main characteristics of JavaScript

• Data verification function
• Accessing multiple frameworks
• Compatible with multiple programming languages

Disadvantages

• There are no hard and fast rules, and mistakes are easy to make
• Low-security level

4. C#

C# is an object-oriented programming language. It is powerful and technical. It is best suited for many templates and high-performance programs because of its programming features, such as indexers, assembly versioning, available integration with Windows, and Microsoft products. It is also suitable for those who want to develop computer games. If you learn, you can build games on the Unity 3D engine.

Main characteristics of c#

• Deeper Integration with Windows
• Support for management idioms of local resource
• Dynamic variable
• Enum support

Disadvantages

• Give priority to the Windows platform

5. PHP

It belongs open-source and licensed. Both beginners and experienced developers can use PHP for website development. PHP is a simple language that can write your blog in two or three weeks. In addition, it is more famous for freelancers.

Main characteristics of PHP

• Open-source server-side scripting language
• Cross-platform
• Short learning curve
• Built-in MySQL support

Disadvantages

• Mainly used for Web development
• Weak type
• Clumsy standard library

What careers require knowledge of programming languages?

The job description "programmer" is very general and gives a simple idea of what a person does, but there are a variety of fields and specialists in IT. Yana Trihub, founder and CEO of GetCoverLetter, said, "There are many areas in the IT industry where a programming language is useful to you; Website, program and application development, Web design, etc., or you are changing careers and need new skills and knowledge. The advantage of language knowledge has a positive impact on one's salary level."

Now, let's take a closer look at the specifics of the programming language we require.

It takes two Web developers to create a feature-rich, well-functioning small site. The first developer makes sure that the parts of the site that the user sees are working: buttons are pressed, pop-up prompts are popped, and scrollbars are working. They are called front-end developers and are responsible for ensuring the site's interface works correctly and looks the way the designers want it to. The second person, the back-end developer, is responsible for ensuring your messages are sent to the correct address, your video's viewing history is saved, and you see how many subscribers have liked the new avatar. To perform all of these functions, you need to know how the Internet works and use databases.

Some experts are responsible for creating both parts of the site, and such programmers have a full-stack developer profile.

IOS developers and Android developers create mobile versions of websites or apps. Depending on the operating system being used, there will be directions like this.

Data scientists are responsible for unique algorithms, known as recommendation systems. Experts know how to write neural networks and which algorithms to use to calculate the best products for recommendations or analyze target audiences.

After creating a website or mobile application and adding a recommendation algorithm, you also need to check that it works. This is where testers are required to examine the application. Their tasks include writing special programs to check the application's performance automatically. Sometimes testers can also perform tests manually, depending on the qualifications and field of expertise.

The IT field is very diverse, and IT requires completely different experts with different skills. Before choosing a programming direction, you should consider what interests you the most.

Conclusion

Network resource development is a long-term process that requires specific knowledge and skills. Constantly learning new programming languages will make you an expert on-demand.