Learning to code isn’t just about mastering syntax; it’s a gateway to a lucrative career in software development. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers earned a median annual wage exceeding $127,000 in 2022—a number projected to rise by 25% by 2032.
Rod Garcia, VP of engineering at Slack, puts it simply: “It’s awesome—the way humans can communicate with machines.” This give-and-go between humans and computers happens through programming languages.
Choosing where to begin is like selecting a real-life language to learn. There are hundreds of languages spoken in the United States alone, and, similarly, there are hundreds of programming languages to choose from.
Whether it’s Python’s versatility, JavaScript’s ubiquity, or the elegance of SQL, your choice shapes your journey. Some languages, like the meme-based LOLCODE, live in relative obscurity, while the former are in high demand.
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4 programming languages that are worth learning
Gone are the days when the number of textbooks solely determined the best language for beginners. Thanks to AI, any language can be a starting point if you possess the determination and requisite skill set to thrive.
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when trying to choose which programming language to learn first. Instead, consider your goals, interests, and the specific problem you aim to solve.
Another important factor to consider is your drive to learn and follow through. “That’s the fuel,” Garcia says. With access to an almost infinite amount of resources online and AI chatbots, learning a language is becoming easier and more accessible, he tells Fortune. “It’s about the fuel you have to want to learn.”
Our methodology in determining the best programming language for beginners draws from two critical sources: the insights provided by Garcia and Stack Overflow’s Developer Survey, which garnered responses from more than 90,000 professionals.
1. JavaScript
JavaScript simply makes web pages interactive and is also where many other languages stem from. There are over 80 JavaScript frameworks, including Node.js, Dart, and TypeScript.
“Not only is [JavaScript] the front-end language of the web, it allows folks to create back-end solutions. If you want to learn one language, JavaScript is great in the early stages of learning how to create full-stack solutions,” Garcia says.
Classification: JavaScript is a high-level object-oriented scripting language.
Usage: JavaScript allows you to manipulate HTML and CSS, allowing you to create smooth animations, transitions, and visual effects. On the technical side, JavaScript can validate email addresses in web forms. It can also be used to create web-based games, such as Words With Friends 2 and 2048. And with newer frameworks like React Native and Ionic, you can use JavaScript outside the web to create apps for iOS and Android.
Places to learn it: Fortune found intense bootcamps to teach you how to code JavaScript for less than $21,000. You can learn for free on sites like Udemy, Coursera, and Codecademy.
2. Python
Python is the most popular programming language on GitHub because of its robust ecosystem of libraries and its general enough nature to fill various programming needs across AI, such as machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision. Its libraries are collections of open-source code modules, which save developers time and effort.
Garcia says that Python has been one of the top languages in the industry for a long time, “but now more than ever, it’s paramount to interact with AI applications or train your own models. It’s the default choice.” According to the World Economic Forum’s 2020 “The Future of Jobs Report,” the artificial intelligence boom will create around 97 million new jobs.
Classification: Python is a high-level object-oriented scripting language
Usage: Back-end web developers use Python to create web applications, analyze data, and automate tasks. Companies in various industries use it—NASA, Google, and Netflix—to handle big data, perform complex mathematical calculations, and read and modify large files.
Places to learn it: Bootcamps like General Assembly and CodingNomads teach the language, and you can also learn via the official Python website. Codeacademy’s free course, Python 2, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python are free resources to learn. Beginner projects include creating secure password generators and games like Rock, Paper, Scissors.
3. SQL
Structured query languages, or SQL (pronounced “sequel”), give analysts and programmers access to and a way to play around with data stored within databases. SQL is what's known as “Turing complete,” which indicates a language's power—whereas, the more powerful a language, the more complex equations it can perform.
SQL gives developers access to common table expressions (CTEs) and Window functions (such as SUM, AVG, and COUNT), making it a powerful database management system. It’s widely used by mid-to-large-sized organizations, such as the tech giants Facebook and Microsoft, to organize and retrieve information.
Classification: SQL is a high-level data-oriented language.
Usage: For developers creating mobile or web apps, when a new user inputs their username and password, it goes into a database—most commonly MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite—and then retrieved with an SQL query.
However, many different industries use SQL. For example, marketing teams can create promotions targeting customers based on data stored in databases and retrieved with an SQL query. Financial organizations can organize sales data with the language, and healthcare clinics can build dashboards to organize patient reports.
Places to learn it: Codecademy and DataCamp provide courses for learners of all levels. Additionally, eCornell, the online platform affiliated with Cornell University, offers certification programs in data management using SQL and data visualization using Tableau.
4. Java
Java, an almost three-decade-old programming language, remains one of the most popular choices for developers. It is widely used in customer relationship management (CRM) software applications and financial management platforms because of its robustness, cross-platform capabilities, and security. According to IBM, Java is easy to learn, write, compile, and debug.
Garcia says Java is used in large enterprise organizations: “Where there are complex legacy (old) systems, this is the type of language you need to manage them. It's one of the most used architecture languages in that context.”
With Java’s Abstract Class feature, you can hide intricate, outdated code to only see the necessary information you need. This tool helps you maintain and manage older systems. According to Garcia, this hideaway capability is a massive part of dealing with old code. “It helps engineers abstract complexities.”
Classification: Java is a high-level, object-oriented language.
Usage: Java is a backend development tool used to build web applications with common ones, including Spotify and X (formerly Twitter). Tools like Spring Framework and Hibernate ORM make it easier to construct these newer applications using Java. Sectors like AI, fintech, e-commerce, and gaming benefit from the robustness of language. 2023’s most popular video game, Minecraft, sold more than 300 million copies and was built with Java.
Places to learn it: Sites like Codecademy and Coursera offer ways to learn Java—each teaching topics like design patterns, data structures, and simple algorithms like sorting. Devmountain’s part-time, remote Java Software Engineering Course costs $9,900. The 16-week program covers Java, Git, frameworks, data structures, and SQL.
Difference between front-end and back-end programming languages
There are different types of programming languages, but understanding the difference between front-end and back-end languages is essential for anyone interested in web development.
- Front-end languages involve user interfaces and client-side development. ThinkHTML, CSS, and JavaScript.Front-end languages create the site you’re looking at right now.
- Back-end languages handle server-side logic and data processing. Think Java, Python, and Ruby on Rails.
Difference between high-level and low-level programming
The other two main categories for programming languages are high-level and low-level.
- Despite the name, high-level languages are designed for human readability and ease of understanding. They can run on any platform and are widely used.
- Low-level languages are closer to machine code, less human-friendly, and more efficient for specific tasks. However, they are machine-dependent and less commonly used.
So, what is the best programming language to learn?
There isn’t a definitive answer to the question, but Garcia argues that you have to start somewhere.
“Programming languages share common structures, have similar workflows, patterns, and things like that,” Garcia says. “Once you get more experience, you’ll start seeing common themes across languages. Motivation will propel you to learn and go deep.”
There are thousands of languages to learn and lines of code to type—so it may sound daunting to take the first step. But learning something new can be exciting, so focus on the problem you want to solve and then find the language that best suits you, he advises.
For more information on software development skills to get you hired, Fortune compiled the most in-demand programming languages for 2024.
