Looking for the Best Programming Languages? Start Here! - JPKee.com

Whether you’re completely new to programming or looking to jump into a new kind of programming you’ve never touched, one of the most important questions to ask is: “Which programming language is right for me?”

These days, you have so many languages to choose from, it can be quite overwhelming to pick one when you don’t have much experience. In this article, we’ll cover the best modern programming languages for web, mobile, desktop, game, embedded, and utility development. Treat this as an overview and a jumping-off point.

For Web Development

Web development is unique in the programming realm, which presents its own unique challenges — but also some unique benefits. Web development is arguably the easiest kind of programming to pick up when you have no experience, and the web development community is huge, so we consider it a good choice for beginners.

• HTML and CSS: Though these aren’t true programming languages, both HTML and CSS are necessary to create web pages. HTML provides the structure of the page while CSS determines the styling and aesthetics of the page. To get started, check out these step-by-step HTML and CSS tutorials
  
  
  Learn HTML and CSS with These Step by Step Tutorials
  
  
  
  
  Learn HTML and CSS with These Step by Step Tutorials
  Curious about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript? If you think that you have a knack for learning how to create websites from scratch -- here are a few great step-by-step tutorials worth trying.
  Read More
  
  .


• JavaScript: JavaScript is the only way to add browser-side logic and real-time changes (a good place to start is learning JQuery basics
  
  
  A Basic Guide to JQuery for Javascript Programmers
  
  
  
  
  A Basic Guide to JQuery for Javascript Programmers
  If you are a Javascript programmer, this guide to JQuery will help you start coding like a ninja.
  Read More
  
  ). Nowadays you can use JavaScript for both browser-side and server-side logic, which is really easy to do using a framework like Meteor or React.


• Python: Python is used for server-side logic, which means you’ll need HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the browser-side portion of whatever web app you create. But Python is an amazing language, which is why it remains a strong alternative to JavaScript. Learn more about Python for web development
  
  
  Python on the Web: The Amazing Things You Can Build
  
  
  
  
  Python on the Web: The Amazing Things You Can Build
  Contrary to popular belief, Python isn't only useful for data processing and utility scripts. Next to JavaScript and Ruby, Python is one of the best languages to use for web development.
  Read More
  
  .


• PHP: You don’t hear much about PHP anymore because it isn’t as hip as some of the newer web languages, but it’s still used all over the place (including in WordPress, which powers approximately 27 percent of all websites
  
  
  3 Killer Facts You Didn't Expect About WordPress
  
  
  
  
  3 Killer Facts You Didn't Expect About WordPress
  Little did you know that WordPress is one of the most influential platforms on the web. Here are a few things you probably didn't know about it.
  Read More
  
  ). PHP can be messy, but it works. See our crash course on building sites with PHP
  
  
  Learn To Build With PHP: A Crash Course
  
  
  
  
  Learn To Build With PHP: A Crash Course
  PHP is the language that Facebook and Wikipedia use to serve billions of requests daily; the de-facto language used for teaching people web programming. It’s beautifully simple, but brilliantly powerful.
  Read More
  
  .

To learn more about why and how web development differs from other kinds of coding, see our article on web development vs. programming


Programming vs. Web Development: What's the Difference?




Programming vs. Web Development: What's the Difference?
You might think application programmers and web developers do the same job, but that's far from the truth. Here are the key differences between programmers and web developers.
Read More

.

For Mobile Development

Mobile development has been the next big programming frontier for quite some time, and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. People love their phones, and people need apps for their phones. It’s a cramped and competitive space, but breakout apps still show up every single day.

• Java: Java is the native language for Android app development, which is great because Java is also used in a hundred other ways. While you can technically make Android apps using non-Java languages
  
  
  To Build an Android App, You Need to Learn These 7 Programming Languages
  
  
  
  
  To Build an Android App, You Need to Learn These 7 Programming Languages
  Which programming language is right for creating Android apps? It comes down to your programming history and which languages you feel most comfortable using. Fortunately, you have options.
  Read More
  
  , Java is your best bet for maximum performance and flexibility. Get started with these Android app tutorials
  
  
  So, You Want To Develop Android Apps? Here's How To Learn
  
  
  
  
  So, You Want To Develop Android Apps? Here's How To Learn
  After so many years, one would think that the mobile market is now saturated with every app imaginable to man - but that's not the case. There are plenty of niches that still need to...
  Read More
  
  .


• Swift: iOS apps used to be coded in Objective C, but these days you’ll have a much better time using Apple’s new language Swift. It’s easy to learn and easy to use, making it great for newbies and veterans alike. Get started with these Swift tutorials
  
  
  The Best Places to Learn Swift, Apple's Programming Language
  
  
  
  
  The Best Places to Learn Swift, Apple's Programming Language
  If you want to learn Swift, now is the time to dive in. The language has a bright future and the faster you learn it, the sooner you'll be able to reap the rewards.
  Read More
  
  and test what you learn with these Swift coding challenges
  
  
  7 Swift Coding Challenges to Practice Your Skills
  
  
  
  
  7 Swift Coding Challenges to Practice Your Skills
  Consider testing your Swift programming skills with these Swift coding challenges. Not only are they fun and stimulating, but they'll give you the confidence you need in your own abilities.
  Read More
  
  .


• JavaScript: Several frameworks exist that let you code Android and/or iOS apps using JavaScript. Some frameworks convert your code into native code, while others run the resulting app like a web app wrapped in a faux browser. To learn more about pros and cons and getting started, see our article on JavaScript mobile frameworks
  
  
  JavaScript Mobile Apps: Yes, There's a Framework for That
  
  
  
  
  JavaScript Mobile Apps: Yes, There's a Framework for That
  In this article, you'll learn about seven battle-tested JavaScript frameworks that are equipped to create mobile apps using one of two methods.
  Read More
  
  .

For Desktop Development

Desktop apps aren’t so hot these days since the world moved on to web apps and mobile apps, but that doesn’t mean they’re obsolete. Many people, like myself, prefer offline desktop apps whenever possible. And the good news? Whereas desktop apps were once complicated to make, it’s become much easier lately.

• Java: Long ago, Java apps were made using Swing. Don’t do that. Prefer to use JavaFX instead, which provides a richer, sleeker, and more modern way to design and build apps thanks to the Scene Builder. And since Java runs on the Java Virtual Machine, you can write one app that runs on many platforms.


• JavaScript: Using the Electron framework
  
  
  The Electron Open Framework and Why It's Awesome for Apps Development
  
  
  
  
  The Electron Open Framework and Why It's Awesome for Apps Development
  These days, there are many types of desktop devices and operating systems. Getting programs that work on all of them can be a challenge. Electron open framework solves this problem.
  Read More
  
  , you can write apps in JavaScript and package them for desktop platforms. Some notable examples include Visual Studio Code, Atom Editor, Discord, Slack, and WhatsApp. This is a great option because you can make desktop versions of web apps with the same language.


• C#: Using Visual Studio, you can create desktop apps with C# in conjunction with GUI libraries like Win32, Windows Forms, WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), and the .NET Framework
  
  
  Microsoft .NET Framework: Why You Need It and How to Install It on Windows
  
  
  
  
  Microsoft .NET Framework: Why You Need It and How to Install It on Windows
  You either need to install or update it. But do you know what the .NET Framework is? We show you why you need it and how you can get the latest version.
  Read More
  
  . Using Xamarin Studio, you can also create Mac/Linux apps with the Mono Framework
  
  
  What Is Mono and How Does It Help Windows Switchers New to Linux?
  
  
  
  
  What Is Mono and How Does It Help Windows Switchers New to Linux?
  Switching from Windows to Linux means you're going to lose some favorite apps. One tool that can help is Mono, a cross-platform framework that you've probably already used.
  Read More
  
  .


• Swift: Apple’s new language can be used for Mac apps in addition to iOS apps. If you’re embedded in the Apple ecosystem and intend to only create apps for these two platforms, you’ll be better off learning Swift than a more cross-platform alternative like Java or JavaScript because of native performance.

For Game Development

Game development has never been easier. With the abundance of free (and open source) game engines out there, you can pretty much pick any mainstream language and be able to create games with it. But some languages are obviously superior, and those are the ones we recommend if you’re new.

• C#: Unity is the most newbie-friendly game engine out there and its primary language is C#. The engine supports both 2D and 3D game development, and it can export builds to dozens of platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and HTML5. Start with our beginner’s guide to Unity
  
  
  Programming A Game With Unity: A Beginner's Guide
  
  
  
  
  Programming A Game With Unity: A Beginner's Guide
  In the evolving landscape of indie game development, Unity has emerged as something of a de-facto standard: its low cost, ease of use, and broad feature set make it ideal for rapid game development.
  Read More
  
  .


• Java: Java programmers can use the open source LibGDX framework to quickly create games from scratch. The framework can export to any desktop platform that supports Java, plus Android and iOS. It’s a simple and straightforward framework that’s conducive to rapid development. Highly recommended.


• Haxe: Haxe is a newer, modern language that can transpile to many other languages, including Java, C++, C#, and Python. Using a game engine like HaxeFlixel or Luxe, you can develop cross-platform 2D games much faster than in other languages. Unfortunately, no 3D Haxe engine exists as of this writing.


• JavaScript: JavaScript has taken over Flash as the best and fastest way to develop web games. I highly recommend the Phaser engine. Even better, you can use a tool like NW.js to package web games for desktops and mobiles, allowing you to do desktop and mobile game development with JavaScript.

For Data, Scripts, and Utilities

A lot of times, programming isn’t even done to create software per se. Maybe you just need to crunch some data and model trends, or maybe you just need a utility script that automates otherwise tedious tasks. In those cases, there are two superbly useful languages that’ll come to the rescue.

• R: R is a programming language designed primarily for data mining, data computing, and data analysis. If you’ve ever used MATLAB, then you can think of R as a free and open source alternative. While MATLAB is easier to use and has a better environment, it’s expensive ($2,150 for a standard license). If you don’t mind R’s learning curve, it’s a strong alternative.


• Python: Python is regularly used in data science
  
  
  5 Reasons Why Python Programming Is Not Useless
  
  
  
  
  5 Reasons Why Python Programming Is Not Useless
  Python -- You either love it or you hate it. You might even swing from one end to the other like a pendulum. Regardless, Python is a language that's hard to be ambivalent about.
  Read More
  
  because it’s an intuitive and non-verbose language, making it easy to learn and enjoyable to use. You can do all kinds of things with Python, including shell scripts, but you should definitely be aware of two libraries: NumPy (data computing) and Pandas (data analysis). Get started with these basic Python examples
  
  
  10 Basic Python Examples That Will Help You Learn Fast
  
  
  
  
  10 Basic Python Examples That Will Help You Learn Fast
  This article of basic python examples is for those who already have some programming experience and simply want to transition to Python as quickly as possible.
  Read More
  
  .

Which Languages Do You Like?

First decide what kind of programming you want to do, then find out which languages are best suited that area. Once you have an overview, just pick whichever language you feel most comfortable with. You’ll be more productive and actually enjoy programming this way. Don’t go with the “best” language if you hate it!

What kind of programming are you interested in? Which languages do you like best? Did we miss any important ones? Let us know in the comments!

Image Credit: Makaule/Depositphotos

The Electron Open Framework and Why It’s Awesome for Apps Development

Source link

- #Creative #Entertainment #Gaming #Lifestyle #Productivity #Social_Media #Tech_News

Author - Vikash Kumar