Programming languages are the backbone of the digital world. They are the foundation of many of the applications and websites we use every day. Programming languages are used in various ways, from websites to mobile apps and even embedded software in vehicles. If you are interested in learning how to code and don’t know which language to choose, it may help to understand the capabilities of each programming language.
The range of programming languages is vast, and each one has its unique strengths and weaknesses. These languages can be used for web development, software development, mobile app development, and more. Depending on your interests, you’ll want to choose the language that best fits your goals. In this blog post, we’ll look at the uses of some of the most popular programming languages.
JavaScript
JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language. It’s typically used in web development, but it has expanded its range for developers.
- Web Development
- Web Applications
- Game Development
- Mobile Development
Python
Python is a general-purpose programming language used in many different types of software. It is great for beginners because of its human-friendly syntax.
- Data Science
- Web Development
- Scientific Computing
- Automation
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Java
Java is very flexible and can be used for web apps and dynamic websites.
- Desktop Applications
- Web Applications
- Game Development
- Cloud Development
C++
C++ is essential for the foundations of many software applications, such as video game graphics.
- Operating Systems
- Game Development
- IoT Devices
- Database Development
- AR/VR Applications
PHP
PHP is used to script dynamic and interactive websites. PHP works closely with HTML and is one of the easiest languages to learn.
- Web Development
- Database Connectivity
- Command Line Scripting
- Mobile Development
C#
C# was developed by Microsoft in 2000 and borrows from Java and C++. It’s heavily used in building Windows applications, but it’s also used for other programs and applications.
- Desktop Applications
- Web Applications
- Game Development
SQL
SQL is mainly used in tandem with relational databases to query and manipulate data. The language’s syntax is very human-like making it easy to learn.
- Database Management
- Querying for Interactive Websites
- Data Science
Swift
Swift was introduced by Apple in 2014 to bypass Objective-C, Apple’s previous language. Now, Swift is used in all of Apple’s operating systems (iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS).
- Mobile Development
- Desktop Applications
- IoT Devices
Kotlin
Kotlin was designed to replace Java on the Android operating system. Now, Google regards Kotlin as the select language for Android applications.
- Mobile Development
- Web Development
- Data Science
Go
Go was designed by Google in 2007 and was released to the public in 2012. Go is easy to learn and creates high-performance applications.
- Cloud Services
- Cybersecurity
- Media Streaming
- Game Development
Whatever language you choose to learn, start from the basics and ask for help along the way. A few resources to help you learn are Codecademy, W3Schools, GeeksforGeeks, and Khan Academy. Even Schoolhouse has a Computer Science topic. Happy coding!