With business, communication, and entertainment making significant shifts to the digital landscape, code is arguably the most important language of the 21st century. Our smartphones, laptops, and tablets all use code to run their applications. Even our vehicles and appliances use code to deliver commands. Code is virtually everywhere, and a huge market exists for coders across industries, including automotive, computing, manufacturing, health care, and gaming.
The great thing about coding is that anyone can learn it if they devote the time. However, it’s important to determine what coding language should be learned first.
There are more than 700 programming languages. For people new to coding, determining an area of focus can be difficult. These individuals can benefit from exploring technology training programs that help place individuals on a learning path in the top in-demand programming skills.
Why Learn to Code?
Learning to code is a worthwhile endeavor for several reasons. One of the biggest benefits of learning how to code is that it allows you to be part of a team that develops the products, software, and applications of tomorrow. That could mean improving an existing product or creating something wholly original that can improve lives and help businesses.
SitePoint reports that another major benefit of being able to code is that it allows people to work anywhere in the world. Additionally, they can work for themselves as freelance coders, which provides flexibility and freedom. Some coders apply their skills to developing new software themselves.
One of the biggest reasons that people learn to code is the thriving job market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the employment category of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow by 22% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the national average. Additionally, the BLS reports that the role of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow by 13%, also faster than the national average.
With demand on the rise, people with coding expertise will find plenty of opportunity. Individuals should become proficient in a programming language (or multiple languages) and learn the additional hard and soft skills needed to excel in a programming role.
What Are the Popular Coding Languages?
While hundreds of coding languages exist, the list of the most commonly used languages is far shorter. In embarking on a programming career path, many aspiring coders wonder which coding language to learn first. But perhaps a better question is, “What am I hoping to accomplish by learning coding?”
Some individuals may learn a certain coding language based on the target platform. Platforms such as Android, iOS, the cloud, and web-based applications use distinct programming languages. Those interested in web development, software development, or graphical user interfaces (GUIs) may discover that Python is an appropriate language to learn. Python was used to build Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube.
Individuals can gain guidance on which programming languages are best suited for them by enrolling in a coding training program that will place them on a distinct career path, such as Revature’s hire-train-deploy programs.
The most in-demand programming languages include the following:
- C#. A general-purpose programming language developed by Microsoft.
- Java.An object-oriented and feature-heavy programming language used for Android and iOS development.
- JavaScript. An incredibly popular language essential for full stack development projects and used in several test automation frameworks.
- Ruby. One of the easier programming languages to learn that offers an incredible full stack framework.
- Python. Touted as the easiest programming language to learn, Python is perfect for novice coders looking to learn the basics.
- C/C++. Ideal for system-level programmers who want to work with operating or file systems.
- Go. Used by companies that depend on distributed systems, Go (also known as Golang) was developed by Google and is popular with Silicon Valley startups.
- R. One of the most commonly used languages for machine learning and data analysis.
- Swift. The ideal programming language for those who want to develop iOS applications.
- PHP. A programming language in direct competition with Java and Python, PHP is another popular option for back-end developers.
- MATLAB. Ideal for those who want to work with machine learning, signal processing, and communications.
As noted above, the programming language path you embark on will connect to the type of site, application, or platform you need to be able to update.
How to Find Your Coding Path
People learn in different ways, and your individual learning path should play toward your strengths.
Some coders decide to teach themselves; it allows them to progress at their own pace. Teaching yourself requires very little, if any, financial investment, and the internet is rich with resources. However, for someone who isn’t a self-starter or lacks motivation, self-teaching may not be the best option. Additionally, your learning will be limited to what’s available online and will lack guidance from industry professionals.
Another option is to enroll in a university or community college. Computer science degree programs feature courses such as computer engineering, computer networking, cybersecurity, and information technology (IT) in addition to coding. However, a college degree can be time consuming (usually taking four years) and expensive and includes general education requirements that may not be needed for a coding career. If your primary interest is learning to code to begin a career quickly, the university option is probably not the long-term commitment you’re looking for.
Intensives or bootcamps are another popular coding path. Many bootcamps can teach a specific coding language in as little as 12 weeks. However, while these intensives get the job done in a short time, they can still be a significant financial investment, and they may be limited in the skills they teach.
Revature offers another option. As in a bootcamp, Revature associates learn a coding language in a short amount of time (10 to 14 weeks), but with two major differences. The first is that our associates are paid while learning. The second is that when our associates complete training, they’re set up to interview for a job. Revature removes financial blockades while ensuring that the associates have their first career opportunity at the end of training.
It’s Time to Kick-Start Your Career With Revature
With booming growth in coding jobs, there are plenty of opportunities to develop for iOS, Android, the cloud, and web-based platforms. But choosing the right learning path for your first coding language is essential to your career success.
At Revature, you’ll spend 10 to 14 weeks learning the most popular coding languages and getting certified in the most important technologies. Once your paid training is over, you’ll be given two years of contract project work through our partner organizations. We’re incredibly efficient at training individuals just like yourself, with 97% of the Revature talent pool going on to jobs with partners including MuleSoft, Pega, and Salesforce.
Ready to kick-start your career? Take the first step to becoming a coder with Revature.
Recommended Readings
Technology Careers: Outlook, Paths, and FAQs
(It’s Always) A Good Day to Hire More Women
My Revature Story: Future-Proof Skills
Jobs for Foreign Language Majors: Why Software Engineering Is a Great Fit
Sources:
DevSkiller, “How Many Programming Languages Are There?”
Hackr.io, Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2022
SitePoint, “Which Programming Language Should I Learn First in 2022?”
SitePoint, “Why Learn to Code? 17 Benefits of Learning to Code”
SmartBear, “What’s the Best Programming Language to Learn First? It Depends”
Springboard, “Top 5 Easiest and Top 5 Hardest Programming Languages to Learn”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Web Developers and Digital Designers