Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2022

Programming can be a challenging field because it needs you to evolve persistently. So, programmers must keep on enhancing their skill set to meet the ever-rising demands of the industry. Thus, learning a new programming language is a common tendency among developers.

However, it can be confusing to pick the right language to learn, especially when there's a variety of options. Here, we will elaborate on the most interesting languages you could opt for. 

The Top Programming Languages to Learn in 2022

With artificial intelligence and machine learning getting the limelight, programming is of utmost importance. At the same time, it's crucial to define the languages you need to focus on. So, let's find out.

Java

Java is an ever-green programming language and it has been a preferred language for software developers for many years. It's a globally trusted programming language that forms the base for Android development.

Java is gaining popularity for IoT programming. Given that IoT is a relatively new field, it's the right time to learn the language to be ready to meet the demands.

Some people believe that Java is easier than C and C++, but harder than Python. But, there are platforms that provide a great opportunity to learn java for beginners, helping them understand complex topics in Java through intuitive examples and study material. 

Java Pros

• Simplicity - Java is quite undemanding to learn, making it an ideal language for first-time programmers.

• Object-oriented design - Java supports OOP, making it easier to create and use objects. This is particularly helpful when you're writing extensive codes. Also, it enhances code security

• Write once and run anywhere - Java applications run on Java Virtual Machine, regardless of the operating system. So, once written, you can run this application on any system with JVM.

• Supports multithreading - Thanks to multithreading support, Java can run seamlessly on modern machines that perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Distributed computing - Java supports various services to connect with other machines via cloud computing. It's perfect for modern systems that work on distributed computing algorithms.

Java Cons

• Memory management - There are built-in tools for memory management primarily for garbage collection. But, they are less efficient, and so, Java consumes more memory than the other languages.

• Code readability - Code readability is slightly complex in Java. So it's a bit difficult to read earlier written codes, especially those without any comments.

• Licensing - After Oracle released a licensing program for commercial development, Java developers now need to pay a monthly licensing fee. 

Python

Perhaps one of the easiest languages to learn, Python is loaded with tools and libraries. Regarded as the language of the future, it is used by 80% of the developers around the globe. 

Python has vast applications in Machine Learning, AI, and Data Sciences. Therefore, programmers should start practicing the language in order to land better job opportunities in the future. 

Python Pros

• Versatile and easy to learn - Python is considered to be much easier than many other programming languages. It also supports different programming paradigms, hence, a versatile option.

• Open source and wide support - Not only has the Python community stretched across the globe, its IDE is available for free, which means you get all the support from fellow programmers via platforms like GitHub and Stack Overflow.

• A large set of libraries - the Python library range is quite extensive, allowing you to carry out almost any type of operations in Data Science, Machine Learning, engineering, and development.

• Ideal for prototypes - Thanks to easy coding, it's straightforward to develop coding prototypes, GUIs to test different ideas in Python.

Python Cons

• Speed issues - Being an interpreted language, Python is slower than some of its competitors. 

• Threading limitations - Python uses GIL (Global Interpreter Lock) which means it can only use one thread at a time.

• Non-native for mobile development - It's not supported by Android and iOS development. So, mobile development with Python is somewhat difficult. 

JavaScript

JavaScript is a must-learn language for web development. It powers more than 97% of the global websites run.

While JavaScript was mainly used as a client-side programming language, it is commonly used for server-side programming thanks to the latest advancements in its design.

JavaScript Pros

• Incredible speed - JavaScript works at a high speed because it's primarily a client-side programming language. It doesn't need web support for function execution.

• Ideal for beginners - it's easily understandable to beginners. Almost anyone can create web apps using this language. 

• Well documented - it's quite easy to fix bugs, thanks to extensive documentation. So, it's handy for professional developers. 

• Interoperability - JavaScript works seamlessly with other web programming languages like HTML, Perl, and PHP. So, you can work with multiple languages simultaneously. 

JavaScript Cons

• Security - JavaScript explicitly imports files to the client machine, making them vulnerable to malware and infectious code.

• Controllability - JavaScript codes are publicly available, so other developers can use your code and modify it for their benefit.

• Compatibility - JavaScript often encounters compatibility issues with different browsers.

C++

C++ offers cross-platform capabilities, so it's an important language in the developer community. It supports procedural and object-oriented programming, offering flexibility to write code in different paradigms. 

C++ is a high-speed programming language and it's pretty efficient in memory management too. So, it's widely used in developing high-end programs. 

C++ Pros

• Portability - C++ is a portable language allowing you to run the same program on different operating systems without any problems.

• Multi-paradigm language - C++ supports procedural programming, imperative, and object-oriented programming.

• Efficient memory management - C++ gives you complete control over the system memory. It doesn't use the garbage collector thanks to its Dynamic Memory Allocation mechanism that uses pointers.

• Scalable language - Whether it's small data or large files, C++ codes can handle them all efficiently without compromising speed and efficiency.

С++ Cons

• Pointers - Even though pointers help with memory management, they consume more memory and are harder to understand for beginners.

• No garbage collector - The absence of garbage collector means lack of auto-filtering for unneeded data.

• No built-in thread support - C++ supports lambda functions, but there are no built-in threads.

Golang

Go or Golang was introduced by Google. It's a must-learn language if you want to deploy multithreading operations. Golang is widely used by companies using distributed systems.

Also, it's a popular option among Silicon Valley startups specializing in core systems. 

Golang Pros

• Fast speed - Golang works on machine code, which beats all the interpreted languages in speed.

• Static typing - The static type design allows Golang to catch classes of bugs and there are built-in lists and maps to work with.

• Interface types - With multiple interfaces, Golang makes work of decoupling code dependencies easy. It lets you write testable and modular code.

• Static analysis tools - Golang features static analysis tools, letting you format your code in a readable and easy-to-use form.

Golang Cons

• No generics - Golang isn't suitable if you want to reuse the code because there are no code generics. 

• Implicit interfaces - Golang structs implement implicitly. So, it creates problems while you're compiling the code.

• Dependency management - Because Golang didn't have an official package manager, it's challenging for new programmers to work with this language.