Thinking of taking up a foreign language, but have no idea which one to choose: widely spoken Mandarin, romantic French, or maybe Russian, the sophisticated language of Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Alexander Pushkin? There are about 7,000 spoken languages!
Students who start learning to code face the same problem of choosing. According to statistics, there are from 250 to almost 9,000 programming languages in the world. Let’s find out which ones are beginner-friendly and gain a better perspective.
PHP
You can’t go wrong starting with PHP. It’s a general-purpose server-side scripting language used to build dynamic webpages. Programmers leverage PHP for other programming tasks outside of the web context like robotic drone control or standalone graphical apps. It’s also the backbone of WordPress, and its plugins, and the core of the whole CMS.
Why is PHP perfect for newbies? First of all, you can do pretty much everything with PHP. And secondly, PHP is relatively easy to learn compared to other programming languages. So you get the best of both worlds. Being a student, you can start a career by putting simple projects online. As PHP is native to the web, you’ll do it quicker and with less difficulty compared to other languages. Which means it’ll bear fruit faster as well.
How long to learn: depending on the time spent, and your capacity to absorb information, it will take you from 1 to 6 months to master the fundamentals.
Average salary: according to Indeed, the average PHP developer salary in the United States is $94,470 per year. Yes, you can make that much money as a student. But as you don’t have extensive experience in programming, it’s important to present yourself properly when applying for a job.
Python
According to Google Trends, Python is the most popular programming language now. Google, YouTube, Instagram, Quora, Reddit, and many other websites are built off of Python. So what is it, and why is it gaining momentum?
It’s an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language with dynamic semantics. Python’s design philosophy underlines code readability with its notable use of significant whitespace. And its object-oriented approach permits developers to write logical, and clear code for different types of projects.
It’s another great language to start training in if you want to do web development or data science. There are different frameworks and libraries in Python that can help you do data science-powered apps. You’ll be surprised to find out how easy it can be to solve the problem when you don’t need to concentrate on the structure and syntax of the language. Python is simple and powerful at the same time. It’s a bit more complicated than PHP, but still easy to pick up.
How long to learn: with dedication and time for learning, you can learn the basics of Python in 3 months. Just remember that it needs consistency to be mastered easily.
Average salary: Python developer makes $119,000 per year in the US.
Java
Java is a widely-used general-purpose programming language. It’s object-oriented and designed for use. If your goal is to make Android apps, go with Java. Although Java is currently declining a bit in popularity, many big companies, such as Netflix, Airbnb, and Uber, are still using it in their tech stacks. There’re lots of trading applications made with Java as well.
Java can generate a brilliant career for you since mobile application development is a hot skill today. This industry needs fresh minds with agile thinking and innovative ideas.
How long to learn: Java is more complex than PHP and Python. If you get yourself a great teacher, it can take a few months to become proficient enough to do something useful in Java.
Average salary: according to Indeed, the average salary of a Java developer in the United States is $104,300 per year.
JavaScript
JavaScript or JS has put a spell on the world we live in. It’s a high-level object-oriented language used mainly to improve the interaction of the user with the webpage. It also is widely used in mobile app and game development.
Every web browser supports and runs JavaScript. So if you have dreams and aspirations to do anything related to web development, just give JavaScript a go. Whether you’re thinking of doing front-end, back-end, or full-stack development, it would help to know JavaScript to a good extent. JavaScript is a must-know tool that you need in your arsenal when it comes to programming and web development. So why don’t you begin learning it right now?
How long to learn: JavaScript isn’t as scary as you might think. Being a student, you can master the fundamentals of JavaScript in 6 or 9 months. Just remember, the more time you spend on it, the quicker you’ll get the results. Free up your evenings by getting assistance with your assignments, particularly the writing ones, as they can take up the most of your time. Go to essayservice.com, request a professional for advice, and concentrate on learning JS.
Average salary: The average salary of a JavaScript developer in the US is $118,310 per year.
C#
Last but not least is C#. It’s an object-oriented, general-purpose programming language created by Microsoft. You should go with C# if you want to develop dynamic websites on the .NET platform, build web-based apps interfacing with back-end Microsoft technologies, or create games.
C# can be a little bit complicated to start with. But since the majority of programming languages are based on the same principles, it will be a great choice to continue learning languages. For instance, you can master Java and then take on C#; they are super close.
How long to learn: it’ll take you from 10 to 12 months to start creating functional apps in C#.
Average salary: C# provides a lot of job opportunities, and the C# developers make about $103,000 per year in the US.
Final Thoughts
If you’re hoping to break into a career in programming, remember that everybody can do it, whether you’re a student or a retiree. And the language that you start with defines your future job, so pick it out relying on your goals and plans in programming.
