The Best Programming Languages that Will Dominate 2020 Development Trends

Presently programming languages are already aplenty, with most having a solid base of programmers using them. From Java “purists” to up and coming Kotlin specialists, it is inevitable for programming languages to have as much variety in popularity because a lot of programmers, more often than not, choose to specialize in a given development language.

This decision largely hinges on demand and preferences. However, it is apparent that demand often takes precedence over everything else, as evidenced by the almost consistently changing trends in programming languages on a yearly basis.

Yes, Java still remains one of the best programming languages recommended to budding programmers. But the rapid changes in the tech industry as a whole definitely impact their decision as well. For one, the rise of mobile is just one of the main reasons why there are certain 2020 development languages that take the spotlight at present.

That said, here are the top programming languages and development trends you should take note if you mean to be level with what is happening in the world of app and web development or wish to know which ones are the most practical to learn not only currently but for the long haul as well.

Best Programming Languages for 2020

• Java

Java still has a comfortable lead over other development languages and for good reason. Even if it is a fairly challenging to learn, it is the most versatile, due to its amazing server-side applications on app and web platforms alike.

Once firmly grasped and mastered, it is easy for developers to use the language consistently because it is highly readable and not complicated to manage, besides being object-oriented. The fact that it is one of the most secure and stable programming languages also makes it unsurprising why it has enjoyed such longevity and why it is the preferred language by major enterprises.

At present, it is still the top development language for Android and is often complemented by Kotlin in order to address the issues it cannot solve on its own.

• Python

Clean codes and overall better organization are the two main pulls of Python for many developers. To starters, it is also very amenable, being not at all difficult to grasp and known for using very simple codes. It is futureproof in that it is currently one of the best languages for machine learning and data science.

Furthermore, it also enjoys a very active community that readily share open-source modules, frameworks, and libraries that only serve to make development in the platform that much easier. As a result, expect Python to make this list consistently for years to come.

• Kotlin

If there is one language that is a worthy challenger to the status of “best programming language”, many developers will not hesitate to cite Kotlin. The rise of Kotlin is arguably directly proportional to the ascent of Android development to the top, and it is actually first Android-centric languages in history. That it is actively supported by Google only drives the point further.

What makes Kotlin great is that it is interoperable with Java. It readily gives what developers need and want, while being fully object-oriented, with own programming features. Lastly, it is comparatively easy to learn, and any Android app developer should certainly consider adding it to the list of programming languages he has to master going forward.

• Javascript and Typescript

Front-end programming is still comfortably dominated by Javascript. Web applications still greatly rely on it for managing multimedia, creating animations, and other forms of front-end solutions. It also has an innately desirable trait of offering support and ease of integration with other languages.

Add to this the fact that it is not hard to master, easily accessible through browsers, and is regularly updated every year, it is safe to say that Javascript will be staying around for a long time. One compelling proof of this is that the majority of companies around the world still require their developers to have strong knowledge of Javascript.

Typescript, a completely different language of its own, works well with JS. In fact, most of its applications are intended to improve on Javascript codes. Developers love it because it generally requires less testing and helps mitigate a lot of mistakes made during coding.

• PHP

PHP’s popularity may have suffered a blow lately with the rise of Python, but it is still arguably one of the best languages to use for websites. It is still the building-block of most WordPress sites, which in turn is still the most popular form the average website takes.

The community is also very active and continues to grow in number, despite the fact that some developers are quick to dismiss it as a “bad” programming language because it usually requires a lot of memory. Nothing beats the fairly developed ecosystem and low knowledge threshold that are characteristic of PHP.

• C/C++

C has been around since 1972, making it the oldest and most enduring development languages still being used today. While it may not be as relevant in 2020, learning C, which is the progenitor of Java, Python, and C++, will always optimally set any developer up for learning those languages.

Other advantages include the relatively faster and more adaptable application of C for the creation of embedded systems and more efficient computing. Of course, its long life can also be attributed to its legacy application.

C++, its direct offshoot, is still largely utilized in video games. It performs well in projects where there is large data management required and is considered as a high-performance language overall. However, there is a noticeable decrease in its popularity based on recent stats. Nonetheless, it is actually primarily used in IoT, one of the bustling technologies today, sealing C++ lingering relevance.

Conclusion

It is quite obvious that certain programming languages do manage to adapt and survive with the help of legacy programming, a large community, and regular updates and improvements. Even so, it also can’t be denied that new languages like Kotlin are proving themselves worthy of challenging even the top development languages of the past.

While certain languages may enjoy a comfortable lead for the years to come, the same can’t be said for others on this list, especially if we are to consider Google-backed alternatives like Kotlin and Go.