Machines understand a code (made up of 1s and 0s) that isn’t intuitive for humans to learn, so developers have created a range of programming languages to communicate with them much more quickly.
Programming languages allow us to give computers instructions to carry out various tasks. There are hundreds of different programming languages, but they all serve similar functions.
Today, it’s hard to find a business that doesn’t rely on computers for daily operations. Even brick-and-mortar businesses without a website usually have computer-based POS and inventory systems.
Many of these systems are designed to be used without programming knowledge, but these languages drive operations behind the scenes.
Programming language is a lot like human language. Languages allow us to communicate with one another, but you will learn a different communication method than someone across the globe, depending on where you live.
Some languages are widespread, and just a few people use some. It’s the same with programming languages—different languages can be better for certain kinds of businesses than others.
Why Are There So Many Different Programming Languages?
Modern computers haven’t been around all that long, but hundreds of different programming languages have already been created.
Interestingly, many currently used languages have been around for decades, while others are nearly new. Typically, new languages are created to make specific tasks easier or make an existing language more accessible.
Some languages are better for specific tasks than others. Many industries rely on a particular class of languages because they offer the best tools for their needs. And in some cases, you may need multiple languages to accomplish an organization’s goals.
New programming languages usually come when a developer tries to accomplish a goal and finds that the existing programming languages don’t fit their needs. Programming languages are “specialties” within the development world, each with a different learning curve and purpose.
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Low-Level vs. High-Level Languages
There are many programming languages, but they are more broadly split into “low-level” and “high-level” languages. This means the language is either closer to machine code or human language.
Low-level languages are complex for humans to learn. They’re closer to the machine’s range of understanding, though still more straightforward to understand than binary.
The advantage of low-level languages is that computers can process them faster, offering excellent precision. However, low-level languages are rarely used, as this level of speed and precision isn’t necessary for most tasks.
High-level languages are more accessible for coders to understand. They often use English words for commands, making them more intuitive for humans and easier to learn. However, there is a greater separation between the machine and written codes.
High-level languages may lack the speed of low-level languages but are sufficient for most tasks a programmer wants the computer to perform.
There is a range within the classification of “high-level” languages, with some languages being more or less removed from the binary code and automating certain functions.
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Compiled vs. Interpreted Languages
When a computer is asked to execute a developer’s code, it must be translated into machine code the computer can understand. There are two ways to do this: a compiler or an interpreter. Languages typically use one method or the other, although some can use both.
Compiled languages are translated for the computer all at once. After being written, the code needs to be “built” before the computer can execute it.
This makes the task execution faster and more controlled, but the code needs to be rebuilt before another execution attempts to make any changes.
Interpreted languages, on the other hand, happen more in real-time. The programming language is interpreted line-by-line without the need for a build.
This is convenient for coders since they can make changes as needed instead of going through another build process to implement them. Interpreted languages tend to be slower overall, but program creation is faster.
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How Businesses Use Programming Languages
In business, programming is used mainly for data analysis and to create proprietary software. Tech companies hire many developers to create new software products, using a suite of tools that will vary based on the industry and needs of the business. They also use programming for data science tasks that can boost organizational performance.
Developers may also maintain large and complex websites and mobile applications. While small businesses typically use tools like drag-and-drop website builders or hire freelance web designers, larger enterprises usually have in-house developers running their websites.
Data Analytics Drive Modern Businesses
Big data and artificial intelligence tools have become more advanced, robust, and accessible. More organizations are tapping into the power of these technologies for increased business success.
While business analytics systems are designed for smaller organizations to use their data, the real big data success stories come from companies with dedicated data science teams.
Businesses use big data to gain a variety of benefits. These benefits are highly industry-dependent and can save large companies millions.
Hospitals use big data to operate more efficiently and prevent errors. Manufacturers use these tools to optimize supply chains.
Shipping companies optimize routes using data. Financial organizations use data to make predictions that guide decision-making. Big data saves energy, cuts costs, and makes businesses more successful.
Tapping into these benefits requires a team of skilled programmers and a suite of tools and powerful programming languages.
Without programmers and the ability of computers to manage and analyze large datasets, there would be no way to find all of the insights and meaningful connections that are revolutionizing businesses worldwide.
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Most Popular Programming Languages
The world’s biggest tech companies use a combination of different programming languages to keep their organizations running. Although some outliers in their tech stacks are not widely used, most large companies rely on the most popular programming languages.
Programming languages become famous when they are robust and well-supported. Many are highly versatile. Additionally, choosing popular languages opens up the potential talent pool for companies always looking for new developers. The following are some of the most widely used languages today.
Python
Python has been used since the 1980s and is still one of the most popular languages. It’s incredibly versatile and is used for everything from creating artificial intelligence systems in games to data science. It is open-source, well-supported, and easy to learn. For these reasons, many organizations rely on Python for various tasks.
SQL
Specifically used to query relational databases, SQL is one of the foundational languages for data scientists. Over the last few years, it has increased in popularity as analytics become increasingly important for enterprises across industries.
R
A data science-specific language, R, is optimized for data handling and storage. It also has data analysis tools and offers users graphical tools for visualization.
One of the significant benefits of R is that users can design new features. It’s a great choice of language for anyone interested in big data.
C++
A decades-old language still in heavy use, C++ is an object-oriented and compiled language used on the back end in industries where performance is critical. Hospital infrastructure, government projects, and game design frequently rely on C++.
JavaScript
JavaScript has become essential for web development, a language nearly all big tech companies use. Though it’s often used on the front end of websites and applications, you can also use it for back-end development.
It’s known for its flexibility and is excellent for building interactivity in web pages. JavaScript relies on HTML and CSS for creating modern, engaging web pages.
Java
Designed to be used with any operating system, Java is a universal language for networking. It is pretty similar to C++, so many programmers know both languages.
HTML
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) forms the basis of websites and is easy to learn. Many people started programming by building websites in HTML. Today, it is typically integrated with other languages to produce more interactive and visually attractive sites.
C#
A language developed by Microsoft, C# is flexible and straightforward. Besides being open-source, one of its best attributes is that it’s easy to make software that will continue working far into the future. It was designed with businesses in mind, and you can use it for web, mobile, and app development. It is also a cross-platform language.
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Swift
While many programming languages are intentionally cross-platform, Swift is meant for the Apple ecosystem.
Those who want to develop for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone will appreciate the language’s speed, security, clean syntax, and other features. Swift is studying a range of programming languages to find the best features.
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Considerations in Selecting a Programming Language
Computers, at their core, are both elementary and highly complex. Everything at a certain point is binary, but we need additional layers to understand and direct the computer’s code to do what we want. And because there are countless functions computers can perform, businesses need to be selective in the tech they use.
Many organizations don’t need to worry about which languages they are using. Now that there are user-friendly programs for everything from bookkeeping to customer management, most businesses can subscribe to these services and run their businesses without a hitch. However, software companies and larger enterprises must choose the languages they will use carefully. Once a language is chosen, it isn’t easy to switch.
Ideally, any business hiring programmers should have staff who clearly understand the pros and cons of different languages so they can make an informed decision. In the case of a tech startup, the language used is likely to be the one the founders know and feel comfortable with. However, if there is a choice, such as setting up a data science department, knowing the different language options can significantly affect future efficiency and productivity.
Languages Programmers Should Learn
If you want to get a job as a programmer, you might feel overwhelmed by the number of different languages.
However, learning the most widely used languages is best unless you want to work in particular contexts.
After all, if you were learning a new language to communicate while traveling, it would probably make more sense to learn something like French, Spanish, or Mandarin rather than Welsh or Tibetan.
The best way to decide which language to learn is to look at job postings. Look at the most successful companies you’d love to work for. What’s their tech stack? What would you need to learn to be a competitive candidate?
Starting with a popular language can also provide the foundation for future learning. If you learn one programming language, it can be easier to learn other languages in the future.
You might even learn more obscure languages on the job since the hiring organization isn’t likely to find an extensive and qualified candidate pool.
Today’s Businesses Rely on Strong Tech and Programming
For many organizations, their success is dictated by their ability to leverage data and their use of technology.
Data has become one of the world’s most essential resources, and savvy businesses understand that the details matter. Data analysis provides a significant competitive edge but will soon become critical.
Choosing the suitable programming languages to use can affect an organization’s success overall in our digital world.
As the number of languages grows and becomes more niche, it will become increasingly important to ensure that companies hire the right developers and use the proper tools for their industry and unique needs.
