The job market is HOT and scanning the crowd for experienced, proficient developers and it is not too late for you to join in. With numerous programming languages floating around it can be hard to decipher which ones are best suited for beginners looking to dip their feet into the pool of coding.
Below is a list of some of the easiest languages gathered through extensive research along with their pros and cons to help you decide which is the right one for you to begin your coding journey with.
1. JavaScript
Not to be confused with Java, this is majorly a front-end development scripting language. Java is a programming language. This language is especially popular with beginners since it has a wide applicability and is dynamically-typed. More than that, it sets you up for learning more complicated languages like C++ in the future.
Used for: Web Development
Used by: Accenture, Google, Warby Parker, Canon and Fitbit
Pros
- Cross-platform compatible
- No compiler
- Gateway to other languages (e.g C, C++)
Cons
- Not a class-based object-oriented language
- Dynamically-typed (untyped)
- Difficult to debug
2. Python
This is a great example of an easy programming language for beginners. Python supports object-oriented, procedural and functional programming. There is huge chunk of the community dedicated to teaching it, making it easily accessible for anyone.
Used for: Web and Desktop Application development
Used by: YouTube, Dropbox, Yahoo, NASA and Mozilla
Pros
- Can be used for both Desktop and Web apps
- Open-source
- Easy to read
Cons
- Requires one to maintain a set naming convention
- Weak in mobile computing
- Has design restrictions- since it is dynamically typed, it requires more testing and has errors that only show up at runtime
3. Ruby on Rails
While Ruby on Rails refers to a framework, Ruby is the programming language that is used under this belt. This is easy to read and a recommended for anyone with sans-programming experience. Ruby is essentially a collection of shortcuts, but is perfect for beginners as many Startups are hiring RoR developers, so even with entry-level experience one can land a position.
Used for: Web App development
Used by: Airbnb, SoundCloud, Groupon, Bloomberg and Hulu
Pros
- Heavily used
- High demand in the job market
- Development takes less time
Cons
- Not as fast as apps written on Java or C languages
- Difficult for scaling
- Consumes more system resources
4. Java
This is one of the oldest programming languages remaining. It is immensely popular and flexible in terms of developing cross-platform. Widely used, Java is object-oriented and a class based language. It is however, slightly more challenging in comparison to beginner level languages. It derives its language from C and C++ which is why many courses start with these languages before moving to Java.
Used for: Web and App development
Used by: Intel, Uber, Spotify, eBay and Yelp
Pros
- Widely used and accepted
- Has numerous resources
- One of oldest programming languages
Cons
- Gets syntax from C/C++ so it could be better to learn those first
- Requires very analytical thinking
- Bigger projects can be hard to compile and build
5. C and C++
These are the best introductory languages to recommend to anyone. They form the basis for languages like Java or other more complicate ones. Learning C and C++ can perfectly position you to get going in the future. Learning and grasping the fundamentals from these languages can be invaluable. It can be challenging for first-timers but if you’re able to overcome this speedbump, the rewards are bountiful.
Used for: Application development
Used by: Google- Android OS Chrome server, Microsoft- Windows, Visual Studio, Facebook- Apache Hive, Apple- OS and largely universities.
Pros
- Gives you an exceptional computer science background
- Great for software and game development
- Good choice for low-level programming
Cons
- Time-consuming for development and maintenance
- Takes several years to master
- More lucrative but has fewer job openings
Here are some online resources to help you get started!
Every programming language has its pros and cons but it is up to you to decipher which one works best for you. These are also some of the most in-demand languages in the market today, so roll your sleeves up and get coding!
