What is the Best Programming Language to Learn in 2022?

As a potential coder, you may find yourself grappling with the choice of what the best programming language is to learn. This article will help you get a better understanding of programming languages, highlighting the top 10 ones that we believe are a good basis to help you make a decision.

Keep in mind that your choice depends on your level of understanding of coding, along with the job opportunities that this programming language offers, how popular your chosen programming language is in the industry, and your career and personal goals.

So, here we go:

What is a programming language?

A programming language consists of a set of rules that converts strings to different types of machine code. Simply put, programming languages are a kind of computer language used in computer programming to implement algorithms.

What average salary can be expected?

One of the most popular criteria is an average salary that can be expected depending on the programming language. The chart below will help you select a proper point of entry.

However, you should keep in mind that your particular level of knowledge, experience, and skills is much more important.

What programming language is the most popular?

The popularity of a particular coding language is also an important factor because it shows how it finds application in business. Learning a popular coding language will guarantee an easier job search and your learning curve will be smoother due to more documentation and tutorials online.

On the other hand, some of the less popular coding languages can lead to a higher salary.

Best coding languages at a glance

10 best programming languages to learn today

When it comes to the best programming language to learn, the choice also depends on how much effort you’re willing to spend in learning the programming language since each comes with its own set of challenges:

1. Python

Python’s readability makes it easy for beginners to learn. It’s also an open-source programming language that has a wide range of support modules and can be easily integrated with web services. Its data structures are user-friendly and have GUI-based desktop applications.

Here are some websites that will help you acquire some free knowledge. If you wish to invest time and money in Python, below are the options:

Northwestern Coding Bootcamp

• Located in Chicago, IL, Northwestern Coding Bootcamp and covers full-stack JavaScript, Python, and MongoDB.
• Approximate cost: $10,000
• Duration:12 weeks (full time), 24 weeks (part-time)

DigitalCrafts

• Based in Atlanta, GA, and Houston, TX, DigitalCrafts teaches Python in an intensive classroom setting.
• Approximate cost: $13,950 (full time), $9,500 (part time)
• Duration: 16 weeks (full time), 24 weeks (part time)

2. Java

Another popular programming language used today is Java. It’s a general-purpose programming language that has quickly become a standard for applications, regardless of the platform. This is possible because of its Write Once, Run Anywhere (WORA) capabilities.

If you’re looking for free resources to learn Java, this article provides some great options: Learn Java: Tutorials. And below are some coding bootcamp options where you can learn this programming language:

Flatiron School

• With course options available both online and in-person, Flatiron School teaches various programming languages.
• Approximate cost: $16,900
• Duration: 9-15 weeks

Thinkful

• Thinkful’s online bootcamp offers both full-time and part-time courses in software engineering, including courses in Java.
• Approximate cost: $15,499 to $16,950
• Duration: 12 weeks

3. JavaScript

JavaScript is a high-level programming language and one of the foundations in the development of the World Wide Web. The majority of websites use JavaScript as client-side programming, and it has become key in server-side website deployments and non-web browser applications today.

Here are free online websites where you can get a good foundation of JavaScript, and below is a corresponding coding bootcamp option:

Nucamp

• Offering online, part-time, and self-paced learning formats, Nucamp’s coding bootcamp covers JavaScript.
• Approximate cost: $1,480 to $1,880
• Duration: 17-22 weeks 

4. Swift

Swift is an open-source programming language that’s easy to learn. When compared to other programming languages, Swift requires fewer coding skills and can be used with IBM Swift Sandbox and IBM Bluemix. Swift is also used in various iOS apps like SoundCloud, WordPress, and the game Flappy Bird.

Feel free to check this article if you are looking for some online resources to learn Swift. Those looking for more in-depth knowledge, here go a few coding bootcamp options for you to try:

Devmountain

• Offering both full-time and part-time formats, Devmountain’s coding bootcamp covers Swift as a programming language.
• Approximate cost: $4,900 to $9,900
• Duration: 6-16 weeks

Treehouse

• Treehouse offers courses that cover Swift, and they’re all based online.
• Approximate cost: $25-$199 per month plan
• Duration: 6-12 months

5. PHP

Created in 1990, PHP is an open-source programming language that’s considered an essential to many web developers. This is because PHP is used to build the majority of websites on the Internet (more than 80%), including Yahoo and Facebook.

Here are some resources from Kinsta on learning the foundations of PHP, and below are some bootcamp options for more advanced learning:

4Geeks Academy

• 4Geeks Academy is a coding school with campuses in Miami, Orlando, Bogotá, Uruguay, Chile, Spain, Caracas, Portugal, covering PHP as a programming language.
• Approximate cost: $7,499 to $9,499
• Duration: 16 weeks

Noble Desktop

• Noble Desktop offers programming and design programs, covering PHP. Their coding program additionally covers CSS, HTML, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, and more.
• Approximate cost: $325 to $5,490
• Duration: 4-8 weeks

6. SQL 

SQL stands for Structured Query Language and allows communication with databases, managing all the data. SQL allows programmers to work with data.

If you’re looking to learn SQL for free, these are some of the best online resources you can find. If you want to further your studies, below are some coding bootcamp options:

Nucamp

• Offering online, part-time, and self-paced learning formats, Nucamp’s coding bootcamp covers SQL.
• Approximate cost: $1,480 to $1,880
• Duration: 17-22 weeks

Thinkful

• Thinkful’s online bootcamp offers both full-time and part-time courses in software engineering, including courses in SQL.
• Approximate cost: $15,499 to $16,950
• Duration: 12 weeks

7. C#

C# was developed by Microsoft and became popular in the 2000s for supporting object-oriented programming. C# is a widely used programming language for the .NET framework and is best used for applications on Windows, Android, and iOS since it’s supported by Microsoft Visual C++.

Below are some resources to consider for learning each of these programming languages, together with some best coding bootcamps to enter for gaining more advanced skills in the niche.

Here are some of the best free resources for learning C# for beginners. If you want to further enhance your knowledge about this programming language, below are some coding schools to consider:

The Tech Academy

• The Tech Academy offers full- and part-time courses in coding, either online or on-site in Portland, OR.
• Approximate cost: $7,974 – $26,640
• Duration: 8-22 weeks

Tech Elevator

• Tech Elevator is a leading full stack coding bootcamp offering courses in various programming languages, including C#.
• Approximate cost: $15,950
• Duration: 14 weeks

8. C++

C++ is more of an updated version of C. For some developers, this means they can forgo learning C altogether and simply jump to learning C++. Others choose to learn C so that they have a better foundation for C++.

If you’re looking for some free resources to learn C++, this guide is helpful. However, if you want to invest time and money in learning this programming language in-depth, below are some options for you:

The Tech Academy

• The Tech Academy offers full- and part-time courses in coding, either online or on-site in Portland, OR.
• Approximate cost: $7,974-$26,640
• Duration: 8-22 weeks

Nucamp

• Offering online, part-time, and self-paced learning formats, Nucamp’s coding bootcamp covers many programming languages, including C++.
• Approximate cost: $1,480 to $1,880
• Duration: 17-22 weeks

9. Go

Go was developed in 2007 by Google for APIs and web applications. Its ease of use and syntax familiarity have been the reasons behind its success. Go can also handle multicore systems and massive codebases.

Here, you’ll find some free resources to help you learn Go from scratch, and if you want to enroll in a coding bootcamp to help you get more in-depth knowledge, below are some options:

Fullstack Academy

• With campuses in New York City, Chicago, and online, Fullstack Academy offers full-time and part-time immersive software engineering bootcamps and cyber security bootcamps.
• Approximate cost: $15,000 to $17,000
• Duration: 17-26 weeks

CodeBoxx

• CodeBoxx is a 16-week full-stack bootcamp available in Canada and the US, with course offerings in various programming languages like HTML, JavaScript, Python, Ruby on Rails, Go, and more.
• Approximate cost: $10,000
• Duration: 16 weeks

10. R

R is a programming language that’s used for statistical computing and graphics. Also, it’s used to clean, analyze, and graph data by researchers from across sectors.

There are a couple of free resources online for learning the R programming language: Learn R for Free. For a deep dive in this language, below are some coding bootcamps that cover it in their courses:

Simplilearn

• Simplilearn provides training on emerging technologies and processes that are transforming today’s digital world, including courses in R as a programming language.
• Approximate cost: $3,000 to $4,200
• Duration: 35 weeks

Code Fellows

• Code Fellows is a premier technical skill training academy, providing high-quality live instruction both online and in-person to people from all backgrounds.
• Approximate cost: $12,000
• Duration: 4-10 weeks

Summary

Now that you’ve gathered some background information on the top 10 programming languages listed, it all comes down to what you think the best programming language to learn is. Not only does it depend on your preferences towards each programming language, but also on your career goals, your background in coding, and the future prospect you wish to learn. You are also welcome to learn more about a big list of advantages that originate from learning programming.