Lots of programming languages to choose from and you don’t know where to start? This listicle is for you! We’re discussing the best programming languages of 2020 today.
I’ll go over a quick brief about the language and show you a hello world code snippet for each of the languages so you get a brief idea of the language!
List of the Best Programming Languages in 2020
For our lazy ones out there, here’s a short summary of the top 10 languages.
- Python – The go-to programming language for AI and Machine learning
- Java – The best programming language for server-side back-end development
- JavaScript – The popular choice for client-side scripting
- C++ – The best programming language for general-purpose coding
- C – The most trusted language to date
- Ruby – The proven choice for data science and web development
- C# – A powerful object-oriented language by Microsoft
- Swift – The most efficient programming language for iOS development
- PHP – The best server-side web development language
- Golang – A scalable system programming language by Google
Now that we’re down with the list, let’s get started with the complete list right away.
#1. Python – The go-to programming language for AI and Machine learning
Developed in the 1990s by Guido van Rossum, Python is arguably the one language loved by everyone. It has a low learning curve, and the language holds the capacity to function in an industry-level setting.
Python was a language developed with a focus on developer experience.
It has a simple and elegant syntax along with an active community. Python is widely used in the fields of AI, machine learning, data science and web development.
Hello World code snippet in Python:
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print("Hello World") |
#2. Java – The best programming language for server-side back-end development
Java is to JavaScript what Car is to Carpet – Chris Heilman, Author – Beginning Javascript with DOM Scripting
Java was developed in an effort to create a simple, object-oriented interpreted programming language. It was to act as an alternative to C++ which was widely used in business applications of the 90s. But over time, Java far surpassed C++ in terms of popularity due to its lower learning barrier and the highly distributable nature of Java code.
Java, with the help of the Java Virtual Machine, is a language that is independent of platforms. This makes it the most popular programming language for enterprises. Java is widely used in the fields of application development, Big data, and web development.
Hello World code snippet in Java:
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public class HelloWorld { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Hello World"); } } |
#3. JavaScript – The popular choice for client-side scripting
JavaScript was developed by Brendan Eich for Netscape during the first browser war. Despite starting with poor design and lack of features, JavaScript grew to become a dynamic high-level programming language.
Javascript is the duct tape of the internet – Chris campbell, author – Time.com
With the breakthroughs of Node.js and AngularJS, JavaScript became the undisputed frontrunner in-browser programming today.
JS offers event-driven programming which supports application requirements which heavily depend on I/O tasks. JavaScript is widely used in the fields of web development, back-end development and serverless computing.
Hello world code snippet in Javascript:
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<script> alert('Hello World'); </script> |
#4. C++ – The best programming language for general-purpose coding
Developed as an extension of C, C++ was originally aimed to create a language which could bring object-oriented features to the popular C language.
Over time, it evolved further as a general-purpose language with low-level memory access and complete hardware control. C++ is a language that probably offers the widest variety of features which makes it really complicated to master.
C++ can work on every platform and take advantage of any kind of hardware. It is a really fast programming language which makes it popular for use in systems with resource-restraints. C++ is widely used in the fields of system programming, game development, IoT and embedded systems.
Hello world code snippet in C++:
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#include<iostream.h> using namespace std; void main() { cout<<"Hello World"; } |
#5. C – The most trusted language to date
Developed in the 1960s, C was created with one major requirement: being a general-purpose language which could efficiently use system resources. It was a time when every memory byte was essential.
As C++ was based on C, they share functionalities such as low-level memory access and complete hardware control.
C is platform-dependent and tough to master. Yet even today it is one of the most used programming languages. It is also the language which inspired countless others such as Ruby, C++, Python and PHP. C is widely used in the fields of system programming, game development, IoT and embedded systems.
Hello world code snippet in C:
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#include<iostream.h> void main() { printf("Hello World"); } |
#6. Ruby – The proven choice for data science and web development
Ruby started as an object-oriented scripting language. But over time, it grew into an interpreted high-level general-purpose programming language. It has a fairly flat learning curve, with a focus on developer productivity and experience.
It combines some of the best features of all popular programming languages. It is dynamic, functional and concise.
Further, it has an active community along with excellent framework support. Ruby is widely used in the field of web development, data analysis and AI development.
Hello world code snippet in Ruby:
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puts "Hello World" |
#7. C# – The powerful object-oriented language by Microsoft
Microsoft developed C# as a C-like programming language with object-oriented features. This was part of their .NET project. Initially, the language was seen as a copy of Java. However, future developments brought a clear, distinct identity to C#.
C# offers a great developer experience. With Microsoft’s backing and presence of over two decades, it has numerous libraries and frameworks.
Further, it is a platform-independent programming language. C# is widely used in the fields of system programming, game development, web development and app development.
Hello world code snippet in C#:
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namespace HelloWorld { class Hello { static void Main(string[] args) { Console.WriteLine("Hello World"); } } } |
#8. Swift – The most efficient programming language for iOS development
Swift is a powerful general-purpose, compiled programming language by Apple. Developed last decade, it has already effectively replaced C for software development on the Mac and iOS platforms.
Its concise syntax and focus on developer productivity have seen the language begin expanding to other platforms.
Swift offers great features due to being a modern language while being fast enough to be compared to C++. Today Swift is widely used in the fields of iOS app development, system programming, deep learning and IoT.
Hello world code snippet in Swift:
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print("Hello World") |
#9. PHP – The best server-side web development language
Initially developed as a set of Common Gateway Interface binaries for developing dynamic web applications, PHP transformed into a complete programming language over the years.
It has been used to create web applications for over 35 years, with multiple frameworks being available for the developers.
Despite falling in popularity recently, PHP is still one of the most widely used programming languages.
It finds applications mainly in the fields of server-side and standalone web application development along with the development of CMS systems.
Hello world code snippet in PHP:
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<?php echo "Hello World"; ?> |
#10. GoLang – A scalable system programming language by Google
Developed in the previous decade like Swift, Go was created by Google after realising that existing programming languages were not up to the task of efficiently handling its databases.
Go is a language renowned for its design, simplicity and ability to tackle the development scaling issue.
Go is easy to learn and provides an elegant yet powerful option for developers. Further, it is one of the fastest-growing programming languages today.
Go is widely used in the fields of system programming, serverless computing, IoT and cloud-native development.
Hello world code snippet in GoLang:
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package main import "fmt" func main() { fmt.Println("Hello World") } |
Finally…
This brings us to the end of this list of the top 10 best programming languages of 2020!
There is no best language, only one that fits your needs.
So what’s your favorite one out of this list? Or do you have another favorite?
Drop a comment below and let us know!