Every year, we scour Indeed to see which top programming languages are in-demand with employers. It’s worth noting that this isn’t a reflection of a language’s efficiency or how easy it is to learn, but which ones recruiters are after. First, let’s look at how the top programming languages of 2020 have performed in the last few years.
Among the top programming languages of 2020, Python & JavaScript have moved the most
Over the last few years, Python has been steadily rising through the ranks of the programming languages. This year, it’s finally broken past Java’s streak and surged ahead. Meanwhile, there’s been a surprise resurgence in JavaScript, perhaps indicating that employers are looking for more front-end developers as they redesign their websites. Meanwhile, every other language has stayed steady, with a gradual increase across the board. It would seem that the demand for programmers is still rising, and we doubt it’s peaked just yet.
Let’s look at the top programming languages of 2020 in a bit more detail and what they’re primarily used to create.
Python: The most versatile of the top programming languages of 2020
Applications. Simple scripts. Links to databases. It’s possible to create pretty much anything in Python. Plus, it’s also used to create neural networks for artificial intelligence. Part of this is due to the vast standard library, but also because it’s compatible with most major systems and databases. Lastly, it’s a language with quite simple syntax, making it very easy to read. It’s no surprise that it’s the top of our list.
Do be careful: Python 2 was discontinued this year. So it’s time to move to Python 3 if you haven’t already. This might cause problems with older programs, as the two versions aren’t completely compatible. Perhaps this is why we’ve seen a surge in demand.
Java: The workhorse of programming
With the philosophy “Write once, work anywhere,” it’s very popular with businesses looking to make sure their applications have a consistent user experience. Java programs should be able to run over a network, without it mattering what operating system the user is running.
It’s also widely used for Android applications, which is likely why in the past it’s always been our top contender.
JavaScript: Making websites interactive
Most web browsers are compatible with JavaScript now. It works with HTML and CSS to allow businesses to create interactive sites. It’s an extremely important addition to the top programming languages of 2020, as most websites rely on the functionality that JavaScript brings.
It’s worth noting that it’s primarily a front-end language, and you shouldn’t confuse it with Java. While the two languages have similar syntax to C, that’s where the similarities end.
C++: The (almost) benchmark language
To understand the difference between C, C++ and C#, you need to understand at which level the language runs. C runs directly on top of Assembly, the language a computer reads to actually perform tasks. So C is mostly used to create operating systems or older programs.
C++, on the other hand, is essentially a level above C. It builds on the language and allows for object-oriented programming. Because of the ubiquity of these languages, they’re a good starting point for new programmers.
C#: The enterprise language
This is the most technically complicated of the C family in our top programming languages of 2020, but can actually be easier to learn. It’s considered a high-level language, because it doesn’t compile into Assembly, but to byte-code. (It runs on a virtual machine, which allocates the memory for you.)
It’s commonly used to create internal applications for businesses, so developers will likely find themselves making bespoke software. Perhaps this is why we don’t see as much demand these days, as businesses move to more web apps and cloud-based services.
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