If you are wondering which programming language to choose, then welcome! There are many opportunities in the world of technology, but you need to start with something that suits you. Let's figure out which languages are trending in 2024, what salaries they bring, and which language is right for you. (programming language for beginners)
Client and server development: what is it?
Before we go any further, let's take a look at the two main areas of development — client and server.
Client development (Frontend) is all that the user sees on their screen. Web pages, buttons, animations — all this is the work of frontend developers. Their task is to make the interface beautiful and convenient.
Server development (Backend) is what happens behind the scenes. The backend is responsible for the operation of servers, databases and business logic of the application. It processes the data that the user enters and returns the necessary information.
Frontend - is the face of the application, and Backend — its brain. For example, when you order a pizza through the website, the frontend shows you the menu, and the backend processes your order and sends it to the pizzeria. Both the front and the back work together to make everything go smoothly.
Main languages and their characteristics 👇
(And, of course, no jokes anywhere, so let's go!)
Python — “Friend for beginners” 🐍
Why choose: Python is a language that is often recommended for beginners. It is simple, understandable and used in a variety of fields: from web development to data analysis. (It's like a universal tool: it will help you build a house, and it won't refuse to build a spaceship 🚀)
Where it is applied: Data Science, web development, automation.
Trends: In recent years, Python has been growing like a mushroom! Its popularity continues to increase.
JavaScript — “Web Wizard” 🌐 (JavaScript for web development)
Why choose: If you want to create websites and make them beautiful and interactive, JavaScript is your best friend. It is used in 98% of all websites in the world! (By the way, we can say that JavaScript is like a magic wand in the world of the Internet: without it, nothing works, but with it, it's magic! ✨)
Where it is applied: Web development, mobile applications (through frameworks like React Native).
Trends: JavaScript is consistently at the top because the web is not going anywhere, which means there will always be work.
Java — “Solid and reliable” ☕ (Java for corporate applications)
Why choose: Java is often used in large companies, such as banks or large corporations. This language has a strictly typed approach, which many developers like. (Java is like coffee ☕: invigorating, but sometimes too complex for beginners!)
Where it is applied: Android applications, corporate systems.
Trends: Java's popularity has slightly decreased in recent years, but it still remains one of the most popular for large projects.
C# — “Loved by game developers” 🎮
Why choose: If you dream of developing games, especially using Unity, then C# is a great choice. (It's like choosing a sword — you're ready to become a hero of the Unity world and create your own universes!)
Where it is applied: Game development, applications for Windows.
Trends: Stable popularity thanks to the gaming industry.
Go — “Fast and modern” 🚀
Why choose: Go was created by Google and is loved for its speed and simplicity. It is often used to create high-load systems. (Go is like a sports car: fast, maneuverable and liked by everyone who loves speed!)
Where it is applied: Web servers, infrastructure tools.
Trends: Go is gaining momentum, especially among DevOps engineers and server developers.
PHP — “Web Development Veteran” 🐘
Why choose: PHP has been used for many years to create dynamic websites. This language is easy to learn and is ideal for the server side of small projects. (PHP is like an old friend: it may be a little outdated, but it will always tell you how to quickly make a website.)
Where it is applied: Websites, server applications.
Trends: PHP is still popular among web developers due to its simplicity and the availability of a huge number of ready-made solutions.
Popularity and salary charts 📊
Popularity of programming languages by year (in percent)
Language | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Python | 18% (+2%) | 20% (+3%) | 23% (+3%) | 26% (+2%) | 28% (+2%) | 30% (+2%) |
JavaScript | 22% (+1%) | 23% (+2%) | 25% (+1%) | 26% (+1%) | 27% (+1%) | 28% (+1%) |
Java | 19% (-1%) | 18% (-1%) | 17% (-1%) | 16% (-1%) | 15% (-1%) | 14% (-1%) |
C# | 10% (+1%) | 11% (0%) | 11% (+1%) | 12% (+1%) | 13% (+1%) | 14% (+1%) |
Go | 5% (+1%) | 6% (+2%) | 8% (+2%) | 10% (+2%) | 12% (+1%) | 13% (+1%) |
PHP | 15% (-1%) | 14% (-1%) | 13% (-1%) | 12% (-1%) | 11% (0%) | 11% (0%) |
Average salary of developers by language by year (in rubles per month, developer salary 2024)
Language | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
Python | 180,000 (+10%) | 200,000 (+11%) | 220,000 (+10%) | 240,000 (+8%) | 250,000 (+4%) | 250,000 (+0%) |
JavaScript | 170,000 (+8%) | 185,000 (+9%) | 200,000 (+8%) | 215,000 (+7%) | 230,000 (+7%) | 230,000 (+0%) |
Java | 200,000 (+3%) | 205,000 (+2%) | 210,000 (+2%) | 215,000 (+2%) | 210,000 (-2%) | 210,000 (+0%) |
C# | 150,000 (+5%) | 160,000 (+6%) | 170,000 (+6%) | 180,000 (+5%) | 190,000 (+5%) | 200,000 (+5%) |
Go | 210,000 (+8%) | 220,000 (+5%) | 230,000 (+5%) | 240,000 (+4%) | 250,000 (+4%) | 260,000 (+4%) |
PHP | 140,000 (+4%) | 145,000 (+3%) | 150,000 (+3%) | 160,000 (+7%) | 170,000 (+6%) | 180,000 (+6%) |
As you can see, Python and Go continue to grow, and Go shows excellent growth due to its demand in high-load projects. JavaScript is stable, because without it, web development is impossible. Java and C# have slowed down a bit, but they remain important players in the market. PHP has slightly decreased in popularity, but it is still in demand in web development.
Where and how is each language used? 🛠️
JavaScript: If you want to create a beautiful and interactive website, JavaScript is your choice. This language is used to create websites, and with the help of frameworks such as React Native, you can also create mobile apps. With Node.js JavaScript can also be used on the server to link the front and back and manage data.
Python: Ideal for data analysis, machine learning, and web development. With frameworks such as Django or Flask, Python is used to create the server part of web applications, as well as to write scripts and automate tasks.
Java: The main language for developing Android applications using Android SDK. Java is also widely used in large corporate systems and for creating server logic. If you want to work in large companies or in the banking sector, Java is an excellent choice.
C#: Most often used for game development with Unity and applications for Windows. If you dream of creating games, C# is what you need. It is also used to create web applications based on ASP.NET.
Go: Used to create high-load server systems. Go is popular among DevOps engineers and developers working on infrastructure. If you are interested in how servers or large systems work, then Go is a fast and modern language.
PHP: The main language for server-side website development. It is used to create dynamic web pages and applications, such as WordPress and DrupalIf you want to develop websites, especially small ones, PHP will be a good choice.
Which companies use these languages? 🏢
JavaScript: JavaScript is used by almost everyone involved in web development. Google, Facebook and Netflix use it for the frontend of their applications. Node.js is also widely used for the server side, for example, in PayPal and LinkedIn.
Python: Google, Spotify and Instagram use Python for their server parts and for data analysis. Python is also very popular in data science and AI, where it is used Tesla and NASA.
Java: Amazon, eBay and Uber use Java for their server solutions and applications. Java is also widely used to develop Android applications, such as WhatsApp.
C#: Microsoft uses C# to create many of its products, including Visual Studio. Unity - one of the most popular game development engines - also uses C#.
Go: Go is used in Google (they created it), as well as in Dropbox and Uber. The language is appreciated for its speed and simplicity when creating server applications and systems.
PHP: Facebook was originally created in PHP. Also, this language is actively used in Wikipedia, WordPress and other popular website building platforms.
How to choose if you are a complete beginner? 🤓
Here are some tips:
If you want to see the result quickly - choose JavaScript. In a couple of weeks, you will be able to create your first simple website.
If you like to analyze data or dream of doing AI - your choice Python. It is simple and ideal for a start.
If you are drawn to game development — C# and Unity are waiting for you!
If you want to develop mobile apps — Java will help you with this.
If you like everything fast and to the point - try Go. Especially if you are interested in backend and server development.
If you want to make websites — PHP will help you quickly create dynamic web pages.
Conclusion ✨
It doesn't matter which language you choose first — the main thing is to start! All programming languages teach logic, problem solving, and develop the brain. Try it, play with a few, choose the one you like, and move forward. Remember that programming is not only code, but also creativity. Good luck to you, and let's learn together! 🚀