Programming Languages Overview
A programming language is any set of rules that convert strings, or graphical program elements in the case of visual programming languages, to various types of machine code output. Programming languages are one sort of computer language that is used in computer programming to implement algorithms. The majority of programming languages are made up of computer instructions. Many programming languages are written in an imperative form (as a series of operations to be performed), whilst others are written in a declarative form (i.e., the desired result is specified, not how to achieve it).
A programming language's description is often divided into two components: syntax (form) and semantics (meaning), both of which are specified by a formal language. Some languages are defined by a specification document (for example, the C programming language is defined by an ISO Standard). A subject of computer science that deals with the design, implementation, analysis, characterization, and categorization of programming languages is known as programming language theory.
Programming Languages Definitions
A programming language is a formalism for authoring programmes, which are computation or algorithm descriptions. Some of the characteristics that are frequently considered important for what constitutes a programming language are as follows-
- Abstractions: Programming languages frequently provide abstractions for constructing and manipulating data structures, as well as controlling the execution flow. The abstraction principle outlines the pragmatic necessity that a programming language support appropriate abstractions.
- Expressive Ability:T he theory of computation categorizes languages based on the calculations they can express. Markup languages that specify structured data, such as XML, HTML, or Troff, are not often considered programming languages. If computational semantics is established, programming languages may share syntax with markup languages. For example, XSLT is a Turing complete language that only uses XML syntax.
- Function and Goal: A computer programming language is a language that is used to build computer programs that include a computer conducting some type of computation or algorithm and maybe controlling external devices such as printers, disc drives, robots, and so on. PostScript programs, for example, are typically written by another software to manage a computer printer or display. In general, a programming language may describe computation on some, presumably abstract, machine.
The terms "computer language" and "programming language" are used interchangeably at times. However, the usage of both terms differs across writers, as does the actual scope of each. Markup languages, for example, are occasionally referred to as computer languages to underline that they are not intended to be used for programming.
What is a Programming Language?
A programming language is a method of communicating with computers used by programmers (developers). Programming languages are made up of a collection of rules that allow text values to be transformed into various forms of machine code or, in the case of visual programming languages, graphical components. A program, in general, is a set of instructions written in a certain language (C, C++, Java, Python) to execute a given task.
History of Programming Languages
From early mechanical computer manuals to modern software development tools, programming languages have a long history. Historically, programming languages were extremely specialized, relying on mathematical notation and correspondingly arcane grammar. Throughout the twentieth century, compiler theory research resulted in the development of high-level programming languages that transmit instructions using a more comprehensible syntax. Plankalkül, developed by Konrad Zuse between 1942 and 1945, was the first high-level programming language. Corrado Böhm devised the first high-level language with an associated compiler in 1951 for his Ph.D. thesis. FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation) was the first commercially available language, developed in 1956 (first manual released in 1956, although originally designed in 1954) by a team led by John Backus at IBM.
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Most Popular Programming Languages to learn
Two of the most popular languages in the startup market, JavaScript and Python, are in great demand. Backend frameworks based on Python, such as Django (Python), Flask (Python), and NodeJS, are used by the majority of startups (JavaScript). These languages are also regarded as the finest programming languages for beginners to learn.
The 10 most popular programming languages that are in demand in 2022 are listed below-
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C# (C Sharp)
C#, created by Microsoft, grew to prominence in the 2000s for its support of object-oriented programming techniques. It is a popular programming language for the .NET platform. The creator of C#, Anders Hejlsberg, compares the language to C++ rather than Java. Because it uses the integrated development environment product, Microsoft Visual C++, C# is best suited for apps for Windows, Android, and iOS. C# is utilized on the back end of several well-known websites, including Bing, Dell, Visual Studio, and MarketWatch.
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Level |
Intermediate |
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Skills Needed |
A fundamental grasp of how to create code |
|
Platform |
Mobile and corporate software apps are cross-platform. |
|
Usage Level |
One-third of all software developers use it, which is very important for Microsoft engineers. |
|
Starting Salary (INR) |
Rs. 2.7 - 3.5 lakh |
|
Benefits |
It is fast and easy to use with a large library of free and open sources. It is object-oriented, updateable, scalable, and compatible with other codes. |
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Drawbacks |
It is less versatile since it is dependent on Microsoft's .Net foundation and has a terrible x-platform GUI. |
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C and C++
C is the oldest and most extensively used computer language, serving as the foundation for subsequent programming languages such as C#, Java, and JavaScript. C++ is a more sophisticated version of C. Both are often used in computer science and programming. Both C and C++ are high-performance programming languages. As a result, they are commonly utilized in the development of applications where performance is crucial, such as client/server applications, commercial products such as Firefox and Adobe, and video games.
|
Level |
C - Intermediate to Advanced C++ - Beginner to Intermediate |
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Skills Needed |
Problem-solving skills and basic computer expertise are required. Because C and C++ are focused on low-level computer resource management, understanding computer tasks such as memory management is advantageous. |
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Platform |
Desktop, Mobile, Embedded |
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Usage Level |
C - One of the most popular. C++ is a popular programming language. |
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Starting Salary (INR) |
C - Rs. 2 - 12 lakh C++ - Rs. 8 lakh |
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Benefits |
C - A programming language used to understand the principles of programming at the most basic (hardware) level. C++ - provides far more "control" than other languages. |
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Drawbacks |
C coding is a stricter, less user-friendly language with a higher learning curve. C++ is a slightly more difficult language to learn and use than C (and even more so than Java). |
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Go
Google created Go in 2007 for APIs and online apps and has lately become one of the fastest-growing programming languages. Companies that utilize Go as their programming language include Google, Uber, Twitch, and Dropbox.
|
Level |
Beginner to intermediate |
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Skills Needed |
If one already knows at least one other programming language, then patience and a willingness to learn are required. |
|
Platform |
Cross-platform, primarily for desktop |
|
Usage Level |
It is widely used, especially for Google apps (created at Google). |
|
Starting Salary |
Rs. 3 lakh |
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Benefits |
It is often regarded as a "minimalist" language, which is simple to grasp. It is fast, compatible, and has a transparent code. |
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Drawbacks |
There are no generics, so you may wind up writing more code than you would in other languages; there is very limited library support, and the Go development community is not very robust or helpful. |
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Java
Java is currently one of the most popular programming languages. Because of its Write Once, Run Anywhere (WORA) qualities, Oracle Corporation's general-purpose programming language with an object-oriented structure has established a standard for applications that may be used regardless of platform (e.g., Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, etc.). Java is a popular programming language for web development, application development, and large data.
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Level |
Intermediate |
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Skills Needed |
Problem-solving abilities, as well as an understanding of the object-oriented framework |
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Platform |
Desktop, Mobile, Web |
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Usage Level |
Java is widely used in the Android mobile operating system, in addition to corporate applications. |
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Starting Salary |
Rs. 1.4 - 8 lakh |
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Benefits |
It is considered a solid starting point for learning to think like a programmer and gaining coding abilities. For any relatively complicated and current software that can run on any operating system, you will be able to access and change the most significant computer components, such as the file system, graphics, and sound. |
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Drawbacks |
There are a lot of new terms to master; this is a higher-level language. |
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JavaScript
JavaScript is a high-level programming language that is a key component of the World Wide Web. JavaScript is no longer only used to build web browsers; it is also used for server-side website deployments and non-web browser apps. JavaScript, formerly known as LiveScript, was created in 1995. Due to the popularity of Java at the time, it was advertised as Java's "younger brother."
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Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
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Skills Needed |
HTML and CSS are used to specify the content and layout of web pages. |
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Platform |
Cross-platform (desktop, mobile, web) (desktop, mobile, web). |
|
Usage Level |
widely utilized; extremely appropriate |
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Starting Salary |
Rs. 2 - 16.2 lakh |
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Benefits |
It is simple to learn and apply, is used all across the internet, and can be used instantly in a client-side browser. It decreases the load on the website server. |
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Drawbacks |
It can be read differently by different browsers, making cross-browser programming challenging to create. |
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Kotlin
JetBrains built and launched Project Kotlin, a general-purpose programming language, in 2011. The first version was officially released in 2016. It is Java-compatible and supports functional programming languages and is widely utilized in the creation of Android apps, online applications, desktop applications, and server-side applications. Coursera, Pinterest, and PostMates are among the firms that use Kotlin as their programming language.
|
Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
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Skills Needed |
Prior knowledge of programming languages, notably Java |
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Platform |
Web, mobile, desktop, and server |
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Usage Level |
widely utilized; extremely appropriate |
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Starting Salary |
Rs. 4.5 lakh |
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Benefits |
It is less code-intensive than Java and other programming languages, fully supported. And adoption is rather simple. |
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Drawbacks |
Kotlin has a variable compilation speed and no static keywords. |
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PHP
PHP is an open-source programming language that was developed in 1990. Programmers primarily use PHP to construct server-side programs. Developers, on the other hand, may use this language to write command-line scripts, and programmers with sophisticated PHP coding skills can use it to create desktop applications. For novice developers, PHP is regarded as a fairly straightforward language to master.
|
Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
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Skills Needed |
Simple if you have experience with programming languages, but pretty simple for newbies. |
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Platform |
Desktop, Mobile, Embedded |
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Usage Level |
C - One of the most popular. C++ is a popular programming language. |
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Starting Salary |
Rs. 2 - 12 lakh |
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Benefits |
It is open-source, simple to create, and may be combined with a wide range of tools. It is cost-effective and the database connection is adaptable. |
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Drawbacks |
Not very secure; unsuitable for large applications; inadequate error handling; unable to handle a large number of apps. |
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Python
Python is one of the most popular programming languages today, and its ease of use makes it ideal for beginners. Python is used to create 2D and 3D image animation applications such as Blender, Inkscape, and Autodesk. Python is utilized by famous websites such as YouTube, Quora, Pinterest, and Instagram, as well as scientific and computational applications such as FreeCAD and Abacus.
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Level |
Python allows a newbie to immediately become productive. |
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Skills Needed |
Problem-solving and abstract reasoning |
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Platform |
Web and desktop |
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Usage Level |
Python is used in many different areas, including artificial intelligence, finance, and data science. |
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Starting Salary |
Rs. 4. 27 lakh |
|
Benefits |
It is easily and intuitively readable, with flexible official lectures and documents that are highly rated. It is scripted rather than compiled. |
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Drawbacks |
It does not begin with programming fundamentals (known to abstract too many important basic concepts). |
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Scala
Scala is a type-safe Java virtual machine language that blends the finest and most functional programming languages into a single high language. Scala is good for bug reduction and elimination in big, complicated applications. It may be used for both object-oriented and functional programming. Scala is used by companies like Netflix, Twitter, and the New York Times.
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Level |
Complex |
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Skills Needed |
Knowledge of Java, C, C++, or Python is preferred but not needed. |
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Platform |
Cross-Platform |
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Usage Level |
Outside of the science and research fields, it is not widely utilized. |
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Starting Salary |
Rs. 4 lakh |
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Benefits |
Python is faster, excellent for data analytics, and is quite complicated. It is extremely useful, and the developer pool is limited. The SBT and compiler are cumbersome. |
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Drawbacks |
It's relatively sluggish as an interpreted (rather than compiled) language and the installation files take up a lot of disc space. |
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Typescript
TypeScript is a relative newcomer to the top programming language rankings, but it's making inroads. Microsoft created it in 2012 as a typed variant of JavaScript that is ideally suited for big code bases. TypeScript is used in both client-side and server-side development to construct JavaScript-based applications with typing, which is important for spotting mistakes and preventing systemic difficulties. The 2021 State of JavaScript Survey rated TypeScript as the "most adopted technology."
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Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
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Skills Needed |
JavaScript expertise is required. |
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Platform |
Web |
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Usage Level |
gaining popularity among web developers |
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Starting Salary |
Rs. 3 - 4 lakh |
|
Benefits |
It has the fastest developing GitHub community and is excellent for large-scale projects. It also improves the efficiency of JavaScript development. |
|
Drawbacks |
You must first be familiar with JavaScript. |
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7 Other Programming Languages to Think About
The following programming languages are not as well-known as the ten listed above, but they are worth examining if you want to broaden your programming possibilities-
- Dart is ideal for developing apps that must work across various platforms, such as Windows and iOS.
- Kotlin is a programming language for developing applications for the Android operating system.
- MathWorks' proprietary language MATLAB is used for scientific research and numerical computing.
- Perl originated as a text-based programming language, which made it easy to learn and popular for creating proofs of concept.
- Although Ruby is losing popularity in comparison to other languages, the Ruby on Rails framework influenced later Web application frameworks for Python, PHP, and others.
- Rust prioritizes great performance and security, making it ideal for applications where many things are happening at the same time.
- Scala is a scalable language that is compatible with Java and excellent for cloud-based applications.
Programming Language Types
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Language for Low-Level Programming Language
A low-level language is a computer language that is machine-dependent (0s and 1s). Because the processor processes low-level programs without the use of a compiler or interpreter, applications written in low-level languages can run very quickly.
Low-level languages are further subdivided into two parts-
- Machine Language- A low-level programming language is a machine language. It's also referred to as machine code or object code. The advantage of machine language is that it allows programmers to execute programs more quickly than high-level programming languages.
- Assembly Language- It is another sort of low-level programming language that is particular to a processor. It is a symbolic and human-readable representation of the collection of instructions. It converts assembly language to machine language using an assembler. Assembly language has the advantage of requiring less memory and less execution time to run a program.
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High-Level Programming Language
A high-level programming language (HLL) is used to create user-friendly applications and websites. This programming language necessitates the use of a compiler or interpreter to convert the program into machine code (execute the program). A high-level language's major benefit is that it is simple to understand, write, and maintain. High-level programming languages include Python, Java, JavaScript, PHP, C#, C++, Objective C, Cobol, Perl, Pascal, LISP, FORTRAN, and Swift. A high-level language is broken further into three parts-
- Language for Procedural Programming- The Procedural Oriented Programming (POP) language is based on the procedure called notion and is developed from structured programming. It breaks down a program into discrete processes known as routines or functions. The benefit of the POP language is that it allows programmers to easily follow the program flow and reuse code in different areas of the program. For Example: C, FORTRAN, Basic, Pascal, etc.
- Object-oriented Programming Language- Objects are the foundation of the Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) language. Programs in this programming language are broken into little pieces known as objects. It is used to implement real-world entities like inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction, and so on in the program to make it reusable, efficient, and simple to use. For Example: C++, Java, Python, C#
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Middle-Level Programming Language
The middle-level programming language is located between the low-level and high-level programming languages. It's also referred to as an intermediate programming language and a pseudo-language. The advantages of a middle-level programming language are that it supports the characteristics of high-level programming, that it is a user-friendly language, and that it is closely connected to machine language and human language. For Example: C, C++, Language
Conclusion
Every programming language has its own set of advantages, and people may select the field of their choice from among the entries. Mastering Python can help you obtain one of the industry's top three highest-paying jobs. With Python, you may apply for jobs as a Software Engineer, DevOps Engineer, or Data Scientist, and even get lucrative employment in the most prestigious businesses. In terms of JavaScript, there is a great need for JavaScript developers who can give low pay. But when it comes to constructing system tools and operating systems, there's no beating C/C++, which continues to hold the top rank on TIOBE's software quality index. PHP and Go, on the other hand, continue to hold a solid place in the business. So, whatever one of the ten programming languages a person can choose to pursue a career in is entirely up to them.