Top 5 programming languages you should know in 2009
by Omar AlBadri on 1/15/2008 2:16:00 PM
What languages should you know for 2009? This article covers the top 5...
Programming languages, run the web. I am always asked "Which programming language is the best to learn?" to which I counter " If you only know one, then your in serious trouble." This got me thinking on what programming languages should a programmer know to maximize his talent and marketability. Below is the top five languages that every programmer should know:
5. Ruby on Rails
Why you should learn it: Cause it is the future. If you want to build a website writing only 8 lines of code Ruby on Rails(RoR) is the language for you. There has always been talk of Object Oriented Programming(OOP) and Ruby on Rails is OOP in its purest form.
Why it is number 5: Cause it is still in infancy and it does not have a debugger or a true IDE. Also its has a STEEP learning curve and its hard to understand how each component is put together
Resources: Top 12 Ruby on Rails Tutorials
4. MYSQL/Microsoft SQL(T-SQL)
Why you should learn it: Static pages are dead. Almost any reputable site has a database as a back end. The abilty to program Stored Procedures as well as simple task as creating a table, is a MUST if you are to be a complete programmer. Whether its Sql Server or MySql it is imperative that you learn a Structured Query Language.
Why it is number 4: In some cases you can get by, by not knowing a SQL language, in some companies they have dedicated Database programmer who will do the work for you. In general,especially in 08' you need to know how some database programming.
Resources: Top Tutorial on Mysql, Tutorial on MS Sql
Why you should learn it: Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is the new buzz word in the industry. Why I included JavaScript also is you can not do one with out knowing the other. Ajax in essence is a technique of updating "regions" on a web page instead of updating the page on a post back. Ajax is the future of web and every programmer should learn it for 2008
Why it is number 3: Cause you cant program a web page in Ajax/JavaScript alone(at least not yet). You still need a underling technology that the web page runs on(LAMP,ASP.NET, etc). Ajax is still a great tool/method to create cool effects and functionality.
Resources:Tutorial on AJAX,Tutorial on Javascript
2. PHP
Why you should learn it: The old master, PHP (which surprisingly stand for Personal Home Page) is still going strong. PHP in association with LAMP(Linux Apache MySql PHP) is a effective cheap and efficient way to program websites. You can have a entire infrastructure built of free cheap software. Many reputable businesses and large companies are now adopting LAMP as a standard. Not only that there is a wealth of CMS and Community orientated software that are available only for PHP(Drupal,Joombla). There are many availiable free library and a wealth of info avaliable for PHP.
Why it is number 2: Lack of standardization. Ask 4 different PHP programmer of a way to accomplish as task, and you might get 5 different answers. While debuggers and IDE's do exist lack, of standardization hurts the technology. Overall you can create cheap, useful code using PHP.
Resources:PHP Tutorial
1. C#
Why you should learn it: Quite simple it simple, powerfully and extensible. Its IDE(Visual Studio 2008) is second to none. You can easily create both web applications and windows application with out learning a new language. Integrating with any database is easy and there are plenty of libraries and systems (Community Server) that use C#. Used in conjunction with ASP.Net C# can preform any task that any other languages can do WITH a better and usable interface.
Why it is Number 1: Quite frankly its the easiest most extensible language out there. Some would say C# is nothing but a next generation VB. I disagree I think it is the next generation of C++ which was universally loved. C# programmers also tend to make the most in the job market.
Resources: C# Tutorials
So take some time this year and learn something new. For me my goal is to improve my PHP skills. Please feel free to comment or email me with any questions.
3. JavaScript/AJAX
Comments
Hi,
I think, you are missing a great point here. Youhave totally Ignored " Ruby and Python"
How can you neglect thme comparing with C#.
IronRuby and IronPython are the smart winners of 2008. C# 3.0 is now adopting major plus points of Ruby gradually.
With Ruby... You can work on .net via DLR, on Apache as well as gain great skill for Ruby on rails too.
This beats C# easily.
Thanks
Thanks for the comment but I ranked Ruby on Rails as #5. The problem I have with RoR is that its still not a commercially "strong" programming language and it is still in its infancy. What I tried to do is list languages that are both usefull and commerciallly viable. You do make a excellent point though.
As someone coming from a networking/UNIX and SAP background, I came across this site doing a search on what programming language I should learn to complement my existing skills. The languages you listed are for web apps but I'm wondering what your take on Java (J2EE) is?
J2EE is interesting. Its platform independent( which is good) and you can do almost anything with it(web, aplications, etc...) but my main problem with it is its a interpreted lanugage therefore it has some speed issues, it is definetyl not a speed demon. I think J2EE is great if your trying to develop a cross platform application but for the web there are better, faster and more useable langugaes then Java.
Python Python Python
"Used in conjunction with ASP.Net C# can preform any task that any other languages can do WITH a better and usable interface."
Huh? VB.NET etc uses Visual Studio as well.
"Some would say C# is nothing but a next generation VB."
There is no difference, it does not matter what language you used with ASP.NET, as long as it's a .NET language, it all goes via the CLR, and that's a total fact.
"C# programmers also tend to make the most in the job market."
This is a huge sweeping statement. A very grey area, I see lots more VB jobs around in UK at the moment, but I wouldn't state VB or C# has more jobs available, it just depends what sources you read into.
Cool,
This is a great list,
Keep up the good work,
Thanks for bringing this up
cool review
Hey Omar ! You have written a terrific blog on computer languages. Please keep sharing useful information like this. Thanks for sharing.
I never read such an informative blog on computer programming languages. Thanks a lot for presenting such an exhaustive list of languages.
I am a regular reader of your articles. Your articles are not only informative but interesting as well. I love reading them.
My daughter is going to find your article very informative as she is planing to learn a computer language soon. Thanks.
Can you please tell me what are other important computer languages apart from these five computer languages?
Which computer language should I prefer the most? Please provide the information soon.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own BlogEngine blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it.
Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.
The high sign application to increase productivity using mouse gesture.... Pretty cool....
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it, I have you bookmarked to check out all the new stuff you post....
A man is identified by the companionship he keeps’, supplies the principle of judging a man‘s character. We know man is social being. It is bare fact that we come into the world alone and out of it alone. Yet we have to depend on and come into contact with adequate persons in course of our living. Some of them become our intimate. Usually we see that like minded men befriend one another.
A man is identified by the companionship he keeps’, supplies the principle of judging a man‘s character. We know man is social being. It is bare fact that we come into the world alone and out of it alone. Yet we have to depend on and come into contact with adequate persons in course of our living. Some of them become our intimate. Usually we see that like minded men befriend one another.
A man is identified by the companionship he keeps’, supplies the principle of judging a man‘s character. We know man is social being. It is bare fact that we come into the world alone and out of it alone. Yet we have to depend on and come into contact with adequate persons in course of our living. Some of them become our intimate. Usually we see that like minded men befriend one another.
A man is identified by the companionship he keeps’, supplies the principle of judging a man‘s character. We know man is social being. It is bare fact that we come into the world alone and out of it alone. Yet we have to depend on and come into contact with adequate persons in course of our living.