Topics:
While we still don’t know what the exact number of coding languages is, we can assume that there are hundreds of them. With that being said, we know that one might not learn all of the languages. That’s why we made a list of the most popular coding languages you can learn. So, come along and find your coding calling.
JavaScript is one of the most popular computer languages. This programming language is essential for any web developer. It’s mostly used to enhance HTML pages and is commonly found embedded in HTML code. JavaScript as a language is an interpreted one, and as such, it doesn’t need to be compiled. Through JavaScript, many games and communication applications run directly in the browser build.
When we talk about the benefits of JavaScript, there are a few that we can include:
Speed
JavaScript is agile because it can be run instantly within the client-side browser. JavaScript is unhindered by network calls to a backend server.
Popularity
JavaScript is one of the most used coding languages on the web.
Simplicity
It is quite uncomplicated to learn and implement.
Interoperability
JavaScript collaborates well with other languages and is used in a wide variety of applications.
As for the disadvantages of JavaScript, they’re not that much in number, but they are a few that we could mention.
Client-Side Security
The code of JavaScript is visible on the computers of users, and in some instances, it may be exploited for malicious purposes.
Browser Support
JavaScript is interpreted differently in different browsers. That’s why before it’s published, it needs to be run on various platforms.
Single Inheritance
Unfortunately, JavaScript supports single inheritance and not multiple inheritances.
PHP stands for the recursive acronym for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. It’s one of the best programming languages to learn. PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting language suited especially for web development while also being embedded in HTML.
PHP has certainly many advantages, and we’re going to list them here:
No need to write additional code
PHP programmers write complex and lengthy code while adding features or functionality to a website. The PHP frameworks reduce coding time by providing code generation features.
Works efficiently with databases
PHP frameworks make it possible for frameworks to work with multiple relational databases.
Many web development tasks are automated
The PHP tools and functions help developers to automate common web development tasks like URL mapping, session management, and authentication.
Powerful library support
Functional modules like PDF, graphs are easily found.
As for the disadvantages, PHP too has some:
Unsecure programming language
Being open-sourced, PHP is considered to be one of the most unsecured programming languages.
Not suitable for large applications
PHP isn’t a modular language and, as such, isn’t suggested to be used to program huge applications. Also, it can’t support a large number of apps.
R is one of the most popular coding languages. It’s used in statistical computing, scientific research, and data analytics. Statisticians, researchers, data analysts, marketers wouldn’t do what they do daily without R. This language is used to retrieve, clean, visualize, analyze, and present data.
Here are a few benefits of R coding language:
Open-source
As an open-source programming language, you can use R without having the need for a fee or a license.
A large variety of libraries
R has large community support, and this has resulted in a large collection of libraries. Its libraries are graphical, and they support and enhance the R development environment.
Data cleansing, data wrangling, and web scraping
R collects data from the internet through means like web scraping while also performing data cleansing. Not to mention the data wrangling it does.
Powerful graphics
The R libraries are extensive, and as such, they can produce quality graphs and visualizations.
As for the drawbacks of R, there are some that we can mention.
Slow
The R programs and functions are spread across different packages. This impacts R speed.
Poor security
Unfortunately, R lacks basic security measures. So, you know that it’s not that safe to build web-pages.
We can easily say that C++ (originally called C with classes) is one of the oldest and most efficient coding languages still part of the programming realm. This cross-platform, general-purpose, object-oriented programming language is used to create high-performance applications. C++ is the language behind everything from computer games to mathematical simulations
C++ has a number of benefits. Let’s take a look at them.
Portability
C++ makes it possible for the user to run the same program on different operating systems.
Multi-paradigm
C++ is a multi-paradigm coding language. Three paradigms of C++ are generic, imperative, and object-oriented.
Low-level manipulation
C++ allows low-level data manipulation at a certain level.
Scalability
C++ is capable of running on all types of data, regardless if they’re a small or a large scale of data.
Large community support
C++ is one of the most used coding languages, and as such, has a large community that supports it by bringing out online courses and lectures.
While it would be great for something to only have benefits. This isn’t possible. So, here are a few disadvantages of C++.
Absence of garbage collection
C++ doesn’t support garbage collection.
Security issues
C++ isn’t secure because of the global variable, friend function, and the pointers it has.
Lack of Built-in Threads
C++ doesn’t support any kind of built-in threads.
C language can be a good foundation for all those that want to learn how to program. This language was among the first programming languages ever developed, and it still continues to be considered as the foundation for many modern coding languages. C runs on any type of device is often used to program embedded devices in automobiles and medical devices.
C, as a programming language, has several advantages when used. Let’s see what those advantages are.
Built-in functions
In ANSI C, the C programming language has only 32 keywords that have built-in functions. These functions can be quite helpful in program building with C.
The foundation of other programming languages
If you’re just starting with programming, then you definitely will start with C, as it’s considered to be the fundamental coding language. A number of other programming languages are built with the base of the C language.
Quality to extend itself
C has the ability to extend itself. This ability comes as a result of the C language having its own set of functions in the C library. You can also add your own functions to the C Standard Library, and the code becomes simpler.
Dynamic memory-allocation
Thanks to the dynamic memory allocation, you’re free to allocate memory at run time. This means that even if you don’t know how much memory is required by objects in your program, you can still run it in C and assign the memory simultaneously.
Just like other coding languages, C too has a couple of disadvantages.
OOPs concept
Even though C is a broad programming language, it doesn’t support the OOPs (Inheritance, Polymorphism, Encapsulation, Abstraction, Data Hiding) concept.
Concept of namespace
A namespace allows the programmer to reuse the names in different contexts. C doesn’t implement the concept of THE namespace, and, as a result, one cannot use a variable with the same name.
Just like C++, C# is an object-oriented coding language. However, this coding language came after C++. This programming language was created with the aim to combine the computing power of C++ with the programming ease of Visual basic. C# is certainly the go-to language for Windows application development and Microsoft and not only. If the extension of .Net called Mono is used, then C# can also be used for mobile devices and video game consoles.
C# benefits are numerous. Let’s take a look at them.
Fast speed
C# is a very fast coding language, and the execution time is too quick.
Scalable and updatable
C# is a scalable and updatable coding language. However, if you want to update it, you have to kill your files and update them with the new one.
Rich library
The rich library of C# language provides a lot of inbuilt functions that fasten the development process.
Type-safe
C# is a type-safe coding language. This means that only the memory location is accessible. This improves the program’s security.
Cost-benefit
The cost of maintenance of this language is quite lower when compared to other coding languages.
C# has a few disadvantages too. We listed them down below.
Flexibility
C# is based on Microsoft .Net framework, and this makes it not as flexible as it could be.
Not easy to make changes in the C# code
If you need to change anything in the C# written code, then you need to compile it first.
Java is one of the most known and widely used programming languages out there. It’s amongst the most used coding languages for Android smartphone applications. Java is an object-oriented, class-based programming language and is used to program a number of applications of all devices, starting with mobile applications, desktop applications, web applications, games, database connections, and other applications.
Java, as a programming language, has countless advantages for its users. You can find those advantages down below.
Simple
Java is easy to learn and understand. Its syntax is straightforward, easy to learn, maintain, and understand.
Object-oriented programming languages
As an object-oriented coding language, Java enhances flexibility and reusability of the code, increases safety by combining the data binding and functions into a single entity.
Security
Java is quite secure. It can reduce security threats and risks by avoiding the use of explicit pointers. Java has a security manager for each application that allows defining the access rules for classes.
As for the disadvantages, they are:
Memory management
Java garbage collection manages memory. Whenever the garbage collector functions, it can affect the performance of the application.
Performance
Java as a coding language is quite memory-consuming and slower in performance compared to other natively compiled languages.
Python is a high-level, interpreted, object-oriented coding language. It has dynamic semantics. This programming language is simple, with an easy to learn syntax. The reason why many programmers fall in love with it is that it can increase productivity. It supports modules and packages, which in turn encourages program modularity and code reuse.
Python has a myriad of benefits. We talked about those benefits down below.
Improved productivity
With the simplicity of the Python coding language, developers won’t have a problem with it. Instead, they can focus on solving the problem.
Easy to write, read & learn
The syntax of Python is considered to be English-like syntax. This makes Python way easier to read and understand the code.
Free & Open-Source
Python’s open-source license is OSI approved. For this reason, it’s free to use and distribute. You have the right to download, modify, and distribute your version of Python.
Vast Libraries Support
Python has a large standard library. It has almost all the functions needed for any kind of task. In that way, you won’t need to depend on external libraries.
Even though there are many benefits one can gain from using python, it also has a few disadvantages. Find those disadvantages down below.
Not memory efficient
Python usually uses a large amount of memory. At times, this can be a disadvantage because many applications might require memory optimization.
Database access
The access layer of Python’s database is quite underdeveloped compared to other popular technologies.
Runtime errors
Being a dynamically typed language, the data type can change anytime. That’s why it can lead to runtime errors.
There you go, guys, the list with the eight most popular coding languages is on your hands. Make use of this list and get into the world of the programming that you love.
Originally published December 18, 2020 10:34 am, updated December 23, 2020
Topics: