Programming Languages

Top 10 Programming Languages in 2023

The world is in a state of constant change and technological advancements are consistently being made. Nowadays, a growing number of organizations and industries rely on computers, applications, and the internet to conduct their day-to-day operations.

Consequently, there is a significant increase in demand for IT professionals who can write code and develop applications.

Acquiring the skill of coding has become crucial in today's world, and selecting the right programming language can propel your career to greater heights.

This article will highlight the top 10 programming languages for 2023, outlining their best usage and providing valuable resources for learning.

Whether you are a novice or a skilled programmer, this article aims to aid you in selecting your next programming language.

1. JavaScript (JS)

JavaScript is an incredibly popular programming language that has maintained its relevance in the tech industry over the years, and it's expected to remain in demand well into 2023.

One of the main reasons why JavaScript is so widely used today is its flexibility. Many of the modern and engaging web pages and web applications we see today are created with JavaScript. This language allows developers to create dynamic and interactive web pages that enhance the user experience.

Another reason why JavaScript is such a valuable tool for developers is that it's a powerful language that's also easy to learn. The syntax is straightforward and easy to read, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced developers.

// create variables:
var x;
let y;

// use variables:
x = 5;
y = 6;
let z = x + y;

JavaScript is a versatile programming language that can be used not only for web development but also for creating mobile applications and games.

JavaScript has numerous frameworks available, and among the most popular ones are React, Vue.js, and Angular.js. These frameworks make it easier for developers to build complex web applications with JavaScript.

Additionally, with the help of Node.js, developers can now use JavaScript to create complex back-end applications. This enables developers to use one language (JavaScript) for both front-end and back-end development, simplifying the development process and increasing efficiency.

Learning JavaScript can be a great investment in your future career as a programmer. With the ability to develop both front-end and back-end applications, you can become a full-stack engineer, which opens up numerous job opportunities in the tech industry.

In addition to the wide range of job opportunities available for full-stack engineers, JavaScript developers can also earn competitive salaries. The average salary for a junior JavaScript developer in the United States is around $65,000 USD per year, and as you gain experience, this number can increase to over $100,000 USD per year.

Overall, JavaScript is a valuable language to learn, offering versatility, demand, and potential for growth in the tech industry.

Stay ahead of the game with our latest video! Get an exclusive insider look at the top 10 programming languages of 2023 and discover which ones are poised to dominate the industry in the coming year.

2. Python

Next on our list is Python, a popular and versatile object-oriented programming language. Python is a high-level language that is known for its readability and ease of use. Its syntax is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike.

Python is a widely used language that is suitable for a variety of purposes. Its applications include web development, scientific computing, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and more. It is also commonly used in the development of automation scripts, making it a valuable tool for IT professionals.

x = 5
y = "Hello, World!"

print(x)
print(y)

5
Hello, World!

Python is a versatile language that can be used for a variety of purposes, including web development, backend development, machine learning and AI, data science and analysis, games, IoT (Internet of Things), and more. Its broad range of applications is one of the key reasons why Python is among the most popular programming languages in the world.

When it comes to developing web applications with Python, two of the most popular frameworks are Django and Flask. These frameworks simplify the process of building web applications by providing pre-built components and tools that developers can use.

For machine learning and data analysis projects, Python offers a range of powerful libraries, including TensorFlow, NumPy, Pandas, and Scikit-learn. These libraries provide advanced capabilities for working with data, building models, and analyzing results.

Overall, Python's versatility and extensive libraries and frameworks make it a top choice for developers of all levels and organizations of all sizes.

The demand for Python developers is high, and they are among the highest-paid professionals in the industry. In the United States, the salary of a Python developer ranges from $70,000 USD to $150,000 USD per year, depending on years of experience.

If you're new to coding and looking to learn a language that can open doors to many opportunities, Python is definitely worth considering.

If you're interested in learning Python, there are many resources available to help you get started. One excellent option is the KodeKloud course, which offers a comprehensive introduction to Python programming for beginners.

With KodeKloud's course, you can learn the fundamentals of Python and work your way up to becoming a certified Python developer. They offer courses at different levels of expertise, so you can find one that suits your needs and experience.

Check out KodeKloud's Python courses here:

3. Java

Java is a high-level and object-oriented programming language that can be used for developing a wide range of applications, including web and mobile apps. One of the key benefits of Java is its cross-platform compatibility - applications developed with Java can be run on any system that has the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed.

Java's syntax is similar to other popular programming languages such as C and C++, which makes it relatively easy to learn, especially for those with experience in those languages.

public class Test {
  // main method
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println("Hello World");
  }
}

Java is a versatile programming language that is used for developing web and mobile applications. One of its special features is that you can develop apps and games for Android natively using the Android SDK, which is built with Java.

One of the most popular frameworks for Java is Spring, which provides a comprehensive infrastructure for developing Java applications. It helps developers build complex and large-scale applications for production use. Another popular framework is Struts, which is a web application framework used for building Model-View-Controller (MVC) applications.

In terms of salary, Java developers in the US earn an average of $80,000 USD per year, with the potential for higher earnings as they gain more experience. Overall, Java is a great programming language to consider for those interested in building a wide range of applications and games across various platforms.

4. Swift

The programming language known as Swift occupies the fourth position on our list.

Apple developed the Swift programming language in 2014 as a replacement for Objective-C. Its purpose was to create apps for Apple's product ecosystem, including iPhones and macOS laptops. For those interested in developing apps or games for Apple devices, Swift is the recommended choice.

Swift's clean syntax makes it easy to learn, which is beneficial for beginners who are new to coding.

var myString = "Hello, World!"

print(myString)

The Integrated Development Environment (IDE) known as Xcode makes writing and debugging code with Swift effortless, thanks to its powerful and reliable features.

From a career perspective, choosing Swift as a programming language is an excellent decision. The widespread popularity of Apple products guarantees a high demand for skilled developers who can create apps and games for these devices.

Swift Developers can expect to earn an average salary of around $84,000 USD, which can increase with additional years of experience.

5. C++

Our fifth entry on the list is the programming language known as C++.

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that has a rich history spanning over 40 years. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup as a fork of the original programming language C, which has influenced many of the modern programming languages in use today.

C++ is designed to create software systems that are highly efficient, fast, and secure. The language is widely used in various industries, including gaming, finance systems, and even entire operating systems.

However, the learning curve for C++ may be steeper compared to other languages on this list. Despite this, the time and investment required to learn C++ are worthwhile.

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
  cout << "Hello World!";
  return 0;
}

On average, C++ developers earn a salary of around $77,000 USD, which can increase with additional years of experience.

6. C#

Our sixth entry on the list is C#, a general-purpose and object-oriented programming language that was developed by Microsoft in the 2000s. It was created as a modern and streamlined version of the C language and can be used to build a diverse range of software, including interactive web pages, desktop and mobile applications, and cloud-based services.

In addition, C# can also be used to develop games with the Unity game engine.

The syntax of C# is similar to that of C, making it easy for those familiar with C to pick up. However, for beginners to programming, C# is also relatively easy to learn as it is a simplified version of C.

using System;

namespace HelloWorld
{
  class Program
  {
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
      Console.WriteLine("Hello World!");    
    }
  }
}

If you are interested in developing applications or games for Microsoft-based solutions, products, or the Windows operating system, then C# is certainly a programming language worth considering.

C# Developers can expect to earn an average salary ranging from approximately $70,000 USD to over $100,000 for more experienced and senior-level professionals.

7. PHP

Our list's seventh entry is PHP, a powerful and versatile server-side programming language that was created in 1994 and is now used by millions of websites on the internet.

PHP is one of the most popular programming languages today and is primarily used for developing backend systems that allow websites to be interactive and dynamic. However, over the years, PHP has evolved to enable the creation of web applications that power both the front end and the back end.

PHP has many frameworks available, including Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter, which use the Model-View-Controller (MVC) approach to simplify and organize development by separating responsibilities, making it easier to manage and scale.

PHP is an excellent choice for beginners as it is easy to learn due to its simplistic syntax. Additionally, web development projects are in high demand, and there is never a shortage of possibilities.

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

The demand for PHP developers is high worldwide, and the average salary for professionals in this field is approximately $75,000 USD, which increases with experience gained over time.

8. GO

At number 7 on our list, we have GoLang or Go, a programming language created by Google in 2009.

Go is a relatively recent programming language that enables the development of efficient and reliable software. Since its inception, Go has gained popularity and has become an open-source, free-to-use language that offers a wide range of libraries and tools for developers to utilize.

package main
import ("fmt")

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

One of the strongest features of Go is its ability to run applications concurrently, allowing multiple instances to run in parallel. This makes it a popular choice for software that handles large amounts of data. Go is commonly used for cloud and network services, web development, site reliability, and DevOps.

Check out KodeKloud's Golang courses here:

The average salary for Go developers in the industry is around $90,000 USD, and it can go higher than $100,000 USD for experienced developers, making them among the highest-paid professionals in the field.

9. Rust

At number 8, we have Rust, a modern programming language developed by Mozilla, the company behind the popular Firefox web browser, in 2010.

Rust is primarily a systems programming language that is designed to enable the creation of high-performance programs within operating systems. It is also used to develop blockchain solutions.

Unlike other programming languages that rely on automatic garbage collection for memory management, Rust uses a borrow checker to ensure that memory used from variables can be "borrowed" and reused elsewhere. This makes it ideal for systems that require high performance and have limited resources.

Rust has a low learning curve due to its easy-to-read syntax.

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

The Rust programming language is versatile and can be used for developing web applications using web frameworks such as Rocket. Additionally, Rust can be used for building desktop applications with Tauri.

The mean salary for Rust developers typically falls within the range of $59,000 USD and can exceed $100,000 USD, contingent on their level of expertise and years of experience.

10. Ruby

Finally, we have Ruby. Ruby is a dynamic, open-source programming language created in 1995 to be easy and enjoyable to use. In Ruby, everything is treated as an object, allowing developers to create complex logic and extend functionality. Ruby's popularity surged with the introduction of the Ruby-on-Rails framework, which made it easy to build full-stack web applications quickly and efficiently.

What makes Ruby stand out is its versatility. While it is primarily used for web development, you can also develop system applications and even games with it.

The syntax of Ruby is clean and easy to read, making it a great choice for beginners who are new to programming.

#!/usr/bin/ruby -w

puts "Hello World!";

The average salary of a Ruby Developer is around $85,000, although this can vary depending on factors such as location, industry, and years of experience. As with many professions, developers with more experience generally earn higher salaries.

Conclusion

As of 2023, the top 10 programming languages continue to be a diverse mix of well-established languages such as Java, Python, and JavaScript and newer languages such as Swift and Golang. These languages are popular for their versatility, ease of use, and their suitability for specific tasks.

C++ and C# continue to be favored by developers who need to create high-performance applications, while Ruby and PHP are widely used in web development. Rust has gained a reputation for being a safe and fast systems programming language.

Choosing the right programming language for your project is crucial, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The decision should be based on your project's requirements, your team's expertise, and the language's suitability for the task at hand.

By staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in programming languages, you can make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve in your software development career.

Learning a programming language can be both challenging and rewarding, and it is highly recommended to learn at least one language to jump-start your career in the IT industry.

Paul Andrew Arboleda

Mar 18, 2023 • 11 min read