Introduction
In the computing world, "programming" refers to writing and designing software programs in computer-based lingua. "Computer," in this context, means smart devices such as phones, watches, laptops, etc. Programming is the process of writing code to facilitate specific actions in computer software or applications. The professionals involved in this field bear the title "programmers." The programming skillset features numerous languages, techniques, and tasks. Programming languages are assemblies of rules that create an avenue for giving instructions to a computer or other technological gadgets about operations to perform.
Factors to Consider in Choosing a Programming Language
An appropriate language for a programmer depends on some parameters that meet the preferences of the developer. Among the most revered programming languages are Java, Python, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, Go, etc. In choosing the best programming language under reasonable circumstances, the factors to note include the following:
Elasticity of Language
The elasticity of a programming language refers to how easy it is to add new features to the language. It may involve adding new function sets or adding fresh features by utilizing a library already in existence. It is essential to understand the design of a programming language and prepare features for its improvement in the future before deciding on its adoption.
Language Performance
In choosing a programming language, one should consider a language that has a likable and suitable performance for one’s operations. The language used in developing a computer program is influential in its performance. For instance, the C programming language is considered the best performer when designing a program that needs quick execution and a minimum runtime. But the downside of using C is that functionalities that are made available by other languages will be absent.
Targeted Platform
Where and how a programming language would be used in developing a product or design is pertinent to selecting a programming language. The platform on which the language will run needs to be considered. For instance, a program developed in Java can run on a JVM (Java Virtual Machine)-installed device. However, the case is different for a program written in C, which will need compilers to function on Linux- and Windows-based systems.
Purpose to Serve
Every programming language has specified objectives for being developed. A business-oriented programming language, such as COBOL, would be good for commercial applications. Web-based application development is better developed by object-oriented programming languages.
Some More Factors to Consider
Other factors for evaluation include your experience level as a programmer, cost, ease of learning the language, language community and support, IDE availability, scalability, time to production, and, importantly, the potential financial remuneration.
The Best Programming Languages of 2023
Considering the factors above, here are the five best programming languages available now that best fit the profile:
JavaScript
JavaScript, born in 1995, is a high-level programming language common with front-end developers. It’s in high demand, courtesy of the growing demand for single web pages and dynamic applications. According to a 2022 developer’s survey, JavaScript ranks as the most popular programming language, and that was for ten respective years. Hence, it is as popular as it is formidable. With its strong community, libraries, framework, different project adaptabilities, and other features, JavaScript stands out.
Python
Among the international network of developers, Python is acknowledged as the most user-friendly computing language. Its competency as an easy-to-learn programming language is due to its simple and clear syntax, and rich features. It has a history of use by popular websites, including Quora, Uber, Dropbox, Google, Netflix, and even Instagram, among many others. Python offers an array of libraries such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenCV, and Scikit-Learn. If you are new to programming or are academically inclined and want to get into program language development through a simple-to-learn language with unprecedented capabilities, Python is a great choice.
Java
Created in 1995, Java has the identity of being one of the oldest programming languages globally. Its reputation precedes it as being at the epicenter of many regularly-visited website pages. Mobile apps, Android apps, scientific-type apps, business software, etc. are developed using Java; hence, it is not a PC-alone application language. The language is multipurpose, versatile, and has an object-oriented structure. Over 3 billion devices globally have, at least, a software or application that’s built with Java.
GO
Also called Golang, GO is on the leaderboard with the few other most efficient and reliable programming languages. It is indelible. Alphabet, Google’s mother company created GO in 2007. It was to aid in the management of Google’s fast-expanding infrastructure. The language has desirable features such as data science and AI process facilitation, support for automation processes, and simplicity in its learning process contributed to its popularity and catapulted it to a position among the best programming languages in the world. Twitter, Dropbox, Google, Uber, and so on are some of the top international companies that use the GO programming language.
C# (the short form of C-Sharp)
Just as Python, 8C# is a general-purpose, object-oriented, high-level programming language applicable in the multifaceted world of computer program development. Motivated by the need to be relevant in the programming world, Microsoft birthed C# as a language and for the development of Windows applications. However, since the introduction of the.NET framework on Mac and Linux, native software can be developed for any platform using the C# language. Pinterest, Slack, and Microsoft are some of the big international companies that use the C# programming language.
Conclusion
The developer world, interestingly, offers lots of opportunities and enlightenment as learning is continuous. Programming is all about solving problems, and here are some of the best available programming languages for effectively meeting technological development purposes. Any choice made among the options in the list here will yield a fulfilling programming journey. The ease of learning any of them is not the same, but they are all quite rewarding in their unique aspects.