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5 Basic Programming Languages (Definition, Types, and Tips)
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What are basic programming languages?
Basic programming languages include a set of vocabularies coders use in computer and software development to create and maintain applications, queries, and scripts for different applications. Computers use various languages to communicate. Computers can only understand these languages since they're in a machine-readable format. As a software developer, you may use one language to create code to control an industrial machine, to act as a point-of-sale system for a local grocer, or create a mobile application to be used globally.Just like our language, programming has its syntax, rules, and structure in its languages. The languages may work under specific conditions or be compatible with most systems. Besides research and maintenance, coding is a key element in the software development cycle. As a developer, once you understand how to use a language, you can write the source code in a text editor, execute it on an interpreter, or compile it for execution.
Related: A Guide to Types of Programming Languages (With Examples)
Importance of learning how to code
The following are some benefits of learning basic programming languages:increases the number of job opportunities
leads to career promotions within your department or organization
increases the number of approaches you can use to solve a problem or need
leads to contracts or opportunities as a freelancer
teaches you how to combine technical skills and creativity
equips you with the knowledge of how a software system works
teaches you persistence, organizational flexibility, and problem-solving skills
Related: Top Skills for Software Developer
5 best programming languages to learn
There are multiple languages you can learn to begin your career as a programmer or add to your existing skills. If you're a beginner, you can identify a language to start with and then advance to an intermediate level. Each language has its advantages and areas of application. Identifying them can help you decide which language to learn. Here are five basic programming languages to explore:1. Python
This is a high-level and general-purpose language that focuses on code readability. It's one of the most popular beginner languages because of its ease of use, wide application, active community, and freedom of use. Programmers can use it for object-oriented, structured, or functional tasks. Python has a comprehensive standard library, which has earned the language the title "batteries included." The libraries provide tools for many tasks, such as creating internet applications, graphical user interfaces, and data analytics.The ease of use of this language is because of its simple, less-cluttered syntax and grammar with freedom of methodology during programming. Unlike most languages, python uses English words instead of punctuation. It also has fewer exceptional cases and syntactic exceptions than C language. Employers can use it in information technology, engineering, professional services, and design. Python helps you work fast to integrate systems as a glue language. It's also a popular rapid application development (RAD) language. The following are some application areas of python:
data analysis
databases
documentation
machine learning
web scraping
mobile apps
image processing
computer networking
web frameworks
scientific computing
system administration
Related:19 Fun Beginner Projects for Python and Useful Python Skills
2. Java
Developers mostly use Java for web apps' back-end interfaces or general service application programming interfaces (APIs) enhanced by frameworks such as Spring and Dropwizard. Java differs from JavaScript in that it's a strongly typed language, translating to a deeper learning curve. The complexity is an advantage that makes Java have higher performance. Java enforces its performance by multi-thread work that can run concurrently. JavaScript only uses a single thread. Java also balances complexity and performance by avoiding many items that the coder can manage in other languages.Developers also use Java to create Android applications for mobiles. The Java virtual machine allows the language to run on many platforms. Scala and Kotlin also run on the java virtual machine, making all these languages compatible and necessary to develop mobile apps. Specialized industries such as cloud computing, the internet of elements, and enterprise architecture use Java.
Related: 11 Different Types of the Most Popular Java Applications
3. JavaScript
This is the world's most popular programming language. Coders mainly use it on the world wide web to create web interfaces or websites. It can be an easy-to-learn language. Programmers may classify JavaScript as a high-level language, multi-paradigm, and just in time compiled. It features dynamic typing, first-class functions, and prototype-based object orientation. JavaScript can be a significant enabler of website interactivity and richness. While HTML builds the foundation for websites, JavaScript drives the websites. JavaScript has a famous library called JQuery used by most websites.The language has become easy to adapt, especially with the creation of industry-standard tools such as beginner-friendly VueJS and high-level reactJS. With JavaScript, you can thrive in visual flair and exceptional user experience in web development. This programming language's applications proceed beyond front-ends alone. Developers also use it in back-ends to power mobile applications and web apps or act as a standalone API to incorporate other companies and services.
Related: What Is JavaScript?
4. C and C++
C is a low-level language. This means that it requires the programmer to understand the underlying computer hardware. High-level languages have abstracted the computer details. For example, when using a low-level language, your program can take care of memory management in the code. Typically, higher programming languages automate the process of memory management for computers. Although C is low level, it compensates for having better performance than other easy-to-learn languages. While performance might not be a significant concern for a social media app, it's a substantial consideration for gaming apps, movie special effects software, and portions of operating systems.C++ came from C and is used to simplify programming, though it's still a low-level language. You can easily translate C programs to C++. In comparison, coders may use it for embedded systems, while C++ is better structured for application development. Bjarne Stroustrup created C++ in 1985, 13 years after the invention of C. C and C++ are one of the earliest programming languages, which means learning these languages can place you as an essential employee even as time changes.
Related: Understanding the Similarities and Differences Between C# vs. C++
5. SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to query data. Computers send the SQL data queries to a server that responds with the requested data. SQL allows you to retrieve, insert, update, delete, and create data within a database. There are many variants of SQL and all variants have several similarities. The ANSI standard requirement enforces these similarities that the variants include significant commands, such as where, select, and delete. -
If you wanna be a software developer https://s-pro.io/ you need to learn basic software languages. For any beginners who have just started to learn how to code or for anyone who would like to start it can be a little bit daunting! JavaScript is a language which is in high demand at the moment, but it is not to be confused with Java! Java is a programming language while JavaScript is a scripting language. It is relatively easy to learn but perhaps not as easy as something like Python.