Programming has long since shed its dusty image. Learning to code is now extremely popular. And that’s a good thing—because coding is a crucial skill for the future. But which programming languages matter most right now? And where should you begin? Read on!
The field and craft of programming have never received as much attention as they do today. Coding is no longer reserved for IT nerds only. That outdated image from popular films in the ’80s and ’90s—where (usually) boys with big glasses hunched over a keyboard—has thankfully been left behind. Movies like ‘WarGames', 'The Net' featuring a woman(!) Sandra Bullock, and my favorite 'Office Space' still portray a hopelessly old-fashioned view of the IT role.
Learning to code has been ‘cool’ for a while. In fact, many believe it’s an absolute necessity if you want to survive in the future job market.
The marketing has also been done well. Boring terms like ‘software development’, ‘programming’, or ‘software engineering’ have been replaced by the catchy word ‘coding’.
CoderDojo
So you’re not becoming a ‘programmer’ but a ‘coder’. And you're not just learning to program—you might attend a ‘CoderDojo’ to become a ‘coding ninja’. Who wouldn’t want that?
Children are already learning to code in a playful way at a young age. Or rather, to ‘code’. And I’d even bet your mother-in-law is secretly coding on her iPad already!
What are currently the most important programming languages? The company TIOBE releases the TIOBE index every month. Using an algorithm, they determine the ‘most popular’ programming language at the moment. It’s not about the quality of the language or actual popularity among programmers, but about how often each language shows up in search engines. Still, it provides a picture and helps us track trends.
The Most Important Programming Languages Right Now
1. Java
2. C
3. Python
4. C++
5. Visual Basic .NET
6. C#
7. JavaScript
8. PHP
9. SQL
10. Assembly language
(source: TIOBE)
Java and Python
The versatile Java has been at the top for years. Though it's a tough language for beginners to start with. What also stands out is that Python—a language widely used by data specialists—is steadily rising in popularity. And it just so happens to be a great ‘entry-level language’ for aspiring coders!
Elixir and Clojure
As an addition, I’d like to mention that I increasingly encounter the languages Elixir and Clojure. The programmers I talk to speak highly of them.
So keep a close eye on the TIOBE index. And—if you’re not coding yet—consider starting with Python. Because before you know it, your mother-in-law will have surpassed you as a ‘coding ninja’.
Raymond te Veldhuis
CheckData and DataJobs.nl