Top Ten Programming Languages to Learn for Beginners

By Adedayo Oyetoke Published on: December 19th 2023 | 6 min, 1024 word Views: 0



The world of programming is vast and ever-evolving. With numerous programming languages available, it can be overwhelming for beginners to decide which one to start with. In this blog, we will discuss the top ten programming languages that are best suited for beginners. We will delve into the reasons why these languages are ideal for newcomers, provide examples, and share some interesting facts about each language. So, let's dive in!

1. Python

Python is an easy-to-learn, versatile, and high-level programming language. It is known for its readability and simplicity, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Python is widely used in various fields such as web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

Example:

print("Hello, World!")

Merits: Easy to learn, versatile, and high-level.
Career prospects: High demand in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Likely challenges: Syntax can be confusing for beginners.
Average salary: $70,000 - $100,000.
Applications: Web development, data analysis, machine learning, and automation.

2. JavaScript

JavaScript is another popular language for beginners, mainly because it is the primary scripting language for the web. It is used to add interactivity and dynamic content to websites. JavaScript is also used in the development of mobile applications and server-side programming.

Example:

console.log("Hello, World!");

Merits: Widely used in web development, and can be used for mobile applications and server-side programming.
Career prospects: High demand in web development, mobile applications, and server-side programming.
Likely challenges: Can be challenging for beginners due to its complexity.
Average salary: $80,000 - $110,000.
Applications: Web development, mobile applications, and server-side programming.

3. Java


Java is a widely-used, object-oriented programming language known for its platform independence. It is the most popular language for Android app development. Java is also used in web development, enterprise applications, and gaming.

Example:

public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
     }
}
`

Merits: Platform independence, widely used in Android app development, and enterprise applications.
Career prospects: High demand in Android app development, web development, and enterprise applications.
Likely challenges: Steeper learning curve compared to other languages.
Average salary: $80,000 - $120,000.
Applications: Android app development, web development, and enterprise applications.

4. C#

C# is a versatile, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft. It is used in the development of Windows applications, web applications, games, and more. C# is known for its similarity to the C++ and Java programming languages, making it easier for beginners to learn.

Example:

using System;

class HelloWorld {
    static void Main() {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
    }
}

Merits: Similar to C++ and Java, making it easier for beginners to learn.
Career prospects: High demand in web development, mobile applications, and enterprise applications.
Likely challenges: Can be challenging for beginners due to its complexity.
Average salary: $80,000 - $120,000.
Applications: Web development, mobile applications, and enterprise applications.

5. Ruby

Ruby is a dynamic, object-oriented programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It is used in web development, particularly with the Ruby on Rails framework. Ruby is also used in scripting and automation.

Example:

puts "Hello, World!"

Merits: Simple and readable, widely used in web development and scripting.
Career prospects: High demand in web development and scripting.
Likely challenges: Syntax can be confusing for beginners.
Average salary: $70,000 - $90,000.
Applications: Web development, scripting, and automation.

6. PHP

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely-used server-side scripting language that is executed within HTML code. It is primarily used for web development and can be embedded within HTML code, allowing for dynamic content.

Example:

<?php
  echo "Hello, World!";
?>

Merits: Widely used in web development, and can be used for server-side programming.
Career prospects: High demand in web development and server-side programming.
Likely challenges: Can be challenging for beginners due to its complexity.
Average salary: $60,000 - $90,000.
Applications: Web development, server-side programming, and content management systems.

7. Swift

Swift is a powerful, statically-typed programming language developed by Apple. It is used in the development of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS applications. Swift is known for its safety features, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Example:

print("Hello, World!")

Merits: Safety features, and used in iOS app development.
Career prospects: High demand in iOS app development.
Likely challenges: Steeper learning curve for beginners.
Average salary: $90,000 - $120,000.
Applications: iOS app development, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS applications.

8. Kotlin

Kotlin is a modern, statically-typed programming language developed by JetBrains. It is fully interoperable with Java, meaning that Kotlin code can be used alongside Java code in the same project. Kotlin is used in Android app development and web development.

Example:

fun main() {
    println("Hello, World!")
}

Merits: Interoperable with Java, and used in Android app development and web development.
Career prospects: High demand in Android app development and web development.
Likely challenges: Can be challenging for beginners due to its complexity.
Average salary: $80,000 - $110,000.
Applications: Android app development, web development, and server-side programming.

9. Go (Golang)

Go, also known as Golang, is a statically-typed, compiled programming language developed at Google. It is designed for simplicity, efficiency, and concurrency. Go is used in various applications, including web servers, data pipelines, and distributed systems.

Example:

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
    fmt.Println("Hello, World!")
}

Merits: Designed for simplicity, efficiency, and concurrency.
Career prospects: High demand in web development, data pipelines, and distributed systems.
Likely challenges: Syntax can be challenging for beginners.
Average salary: $80,000 - $120,000.
Applications: Web development, data pipelines, and distributed systems.

10. Rust

Rust is a systems programming language that focuses on safety, concurrency, and performance. It is known for its memory safety, which prevents common programming errors like null pointer dereferences and buffer overflows. Rust is used in various applications, including web development, game development, and embedded systems.

Example:

fn main() {
    println!("Hello, World!");
}

Merits: Memory safety, and used in web development, game development, and embedded systems.
Career prospects: High demand in web development, game development, and embedded systems.
Likely challenges: Steeper learning curve for beginners.
Average salary: $80,000 - $120,000.
Applications: Web development, game development, and embedded systems.

Conclusion:

The top ten programming languages for beginners are Python, JavaScript, Java, C#, Ruby, PHP, Swift, Kotlin, Go (Golang), and Rust. Each of these languages has its unique features and applications, making them suitable for various skill levels and industries. As a beginner, it's essential to choose a language that aligns with your interests and goals. Happy coding!

Wireless Terminal: Top Ten Programming Languages to Learn for Beginners

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