If you are already reading this article, chances are that you know few programming languages. Programming languages are the tool, we programmers use to instruct computers to execute any specified tasks. The code that we write takes care of everything the program can do, including the conditions for which the program can fail. Today, I am going to list 11 best programming languages of 2015-2016.

Programming is a fun activity as it includes learning the intricacies of how any particular problem can be solved. The challenging part is what the whole deal sweet and worth the time. The fun of solving a problem after putting four straight long hours can be extremely rewarding.

But, have you ever wondered which programming languages you should learn in 2015-2016? What’s hot and what’s not? The answer can vary widely on your needs and there is no particular answer. The best thing, I can do is list 11 top Programming languages that can make you shine in the plethora of the programming languages that are available online.

Choosing a programming language can be a tough decision and there are lots of technical and non-technical reasons before deciding a programming language, and that’s the topic of another day.

Today, I will list the 11 top Programming languages that you should know in 2015, to get ahead of the competition or become a  better programmer. Although, becoming a better programmer is a completely different topic and lots of factors depends on how you can become a better programmer. We will cover this topic some next day.

Learning programming is a constant endeavor and best results come after 10,000 hours of practice.

Peter Norvig, the researcher at Google has an excellent article on how to become an expert by investing 10,000 hours of practice. Creating the list, I consider that the top programming languages depend on the programmer and the work he/she is indulged in. There are tons of article on the web that shares the top programming languages, but do not consider that the fact that any language that is important for one programmer can be useless for the other one.

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Before we start the list, I want to mention another staggering fact of how programmers earn. The best programmer in the world can earn up to 300$ per hour and programming jobs are increasing an interesting rate of 8% per year. So, why wait? Pick up any of the following programming languages below and start learning.

Learning Curve: Learning Curve is categorized into three main categories; easy, medium and hard. This is a controversial approach, but I have taken that the programmer has no programming experience background. I have mentioned points where the learning can be fast with previous backgrounds. Let’s start the top programming languages listing.

15 Top Programming Languages, You Should know in 2015-2016

1. Java

Learning Curve: Medium

Java is one of the top programming language right now and most of its success goes to the Android Operating System that has captured more than 80% of the mobile OS market.

Java is a versatile language, providing OOP, functional programming out of the box. It also follows all the modern programming methodologies and try to enhance Object Oriented Methodology.

Java Technologies can also be used for creating awesome websites and enterprise-level web applications that solve the problems of the future. The apps created using the Java Programming language are scalable and is supported by Google App Engine for hosting purposes.

Features of Java Programming Languages:

• Easy to write and debug
• Pure Object Oriented Language
• Robust, Multithread and Architecture neutral

Homepage: Java Oracle

2. JavaScript

Learning Curve: Easy-Medium

JavaScript is the lingua franca of the web and also the no.2 programming language in our top programming language list. Without JavaScript, we would never have been able to manipulate those HTML DOM elements and create some amazing front-end interaction with the user.

JavaScript has evolved a lot in the past 10 years and now-a-days, a lot of JavaScript frameworks are linked to its success. Frameworks such as Angular.js, Ember.js and other provide more value to the programming language.

A great tool for the front-end developer.

Features of JavaScript

• Similar to C
• Detects browser and loads browser specific information
• Support functional and OOP
• Can be used to validate user’s input

Learn more about JavaScript: MDN JavaScript

3. PHP

Learning Curve: Easy

PHP(Hypertext Preprocessor) is one of the world’s most used server-side scripting language. All the magic that happens behind the door of the server is performed by a server-side scripting language such as PHP.

PHP oriented CMS are already popular in the market. Some of the popular CMS that uses PHP as its core languages are WordPress, Magento, Joomla and more.

PHP also offers a great deal of frameworks to work with. Some of the popular PHP frameworks are Yii, CodeIgniter, CakePHP, Symphony, Larval and more.

PHP works great with database oriented applications and can harness a lot, if properly used. Facebook has also launched a modified version of PHP, known as HACK programming languages.

Features of PHP:

• Supports OOP
• Works great with HTTP
• Handles Data and forms efficiently
• Works for Persistent Connection and more

Homepage: PHP

4. C++

Learning Curve: Hard

If you are interested in low-level programming, then look no further than C++. C++ is famous for its system call libraries and can be used to control every aspect of the Operating System. The reason behind such control is the fact that it can call hardware related operations and ultimately gives the control in the hands of the programmer.

The current generation Direct X are all developed in C++ programming language as C++ is scalable, less memory hogger and works perfectly on the different set of devices, i.e. completely portable.

Features of C++

• Build upon the most popular language, C
• Supports OOPs
• Supports functional programming

Homepage: ISOCPP

5. C#

Learning Curve: Medium, Easy Only if already know Java

C# is one of the close brothers of Java but works on Windows platforms only. When I started learning C#, the similarities between C# and Java was way beyond my likings.

C# is one of the top languages as it helps the programmers to build modern web applications with ‘.NET’ framework and Azure.

You can also choose to create apps that work on the desktop, as well as portable Windows devices. The recent release of Windows 10 have made prospects of this programming language way better than other programming languages.

For gaming, a popular gaming development engine, Unity is all created using C# as its primary language.

Recent News of .NET framework becoming open source has also changed the prospects and growth of Microsoft and the C# programming language.

Features of C#

• Similar to JAVA
• Pure Object Oriented
• Can be used to do almost anything including web programming, game programming.

Homepage: Resources and More Information

6. Python

Learning Curve: Easy

Python is one of the succinct programming languages that yields from the basic philosophy of minimum and clean code.

There are tons of courses online from Udacity, Coursera, and other Massive Open Online Course platform that improves on the premises of starting with the simplest yet the most powerful programming language of all time.

Python is a multi-purpose programming language and can be used to build almost anything. Another staggering fact about python is its use in data science and other scientific endeavors.

Features of Python

• Simple and Easy to learn
• Used as introductory language to newbie programmers
• Great Programming language for Scientists
• Supports OPPs and Functional Programming

HomePage: Python

7. Ruby

Learning Curve: Easy-Medium

Ruby hails from the land of fast protoyping and agile development. If you are looking to get started with any project that require agile development and also needs to be develop prototypes faster, then Ruby is for you.

Web applications can be built using Ruby on Rails framework with tons of learning resources available online for both free and paid.

Also, online learning platform such as Udacity, Coursera and others provide tons of resources for learning Ruby and its framework Ruby on Rails.

Features of Ruby:

• Supports OOP and functional programming
• Great for Prototyping and Agile Development
• Easy to learn for newbie programmers.

Bonus: A great resource that compares Ruby programming language with other programming languages. Must read for Ruby enthusiast.

Homepage: Ruby

8. Objective-C

Learning Curve: Depends

Objective C is the predecessor of the newest entrant of iOS programming language Swift that created ripples last year. Still, the frontier of iOS programming is still hot and can be learned.

Apple has released both XCode and Objective-C that works in tandem to create wonderful apps for their operating system.

Features:

• Creates app for iOS operating System
• Large Community

Homepage: Objective-C

XCode:  Download

9. Perl

Learning Curve: Depends

I am not a big fan of perl, but that’s only a personal opinion. Perl is objectified as one of the complex programming languages and is also generalized as one of the hackers language. It can be used for cyber security and offers tools for quick scripting.

Also, there are many ways to write a single program using Perl programming language.

Features:

• A simple programming langauge to write complex programms
• Offers a stage where hackers showcase their code to gain supremacy(doesn’t work in the next generation programming paradigm, where most of the code is written for other programmers)
• Great Scripting language

Homepage: Perl

10. R

Learnign Curve: Medium

R is not really a programming language, but it is one of the most popular stastical language used by scientist all over the world. You can learn more about R here.

Features:

• Supports Input/Output files
• Object Oriented Programming
• Distributed Computing
• Supports tons of R packages for array of tasks

Homepage: R

11. Swift

Learning Curve: Depends

There is no doubt in my mind that Swift is here to stay. Just a year old, the programmming language has brough a lot of oppurtunity to the iOS develoeprs in term of new features, which might include writing less code and developing faster codes.

An interesting article shows the recreation of one of the most notorious(read popular games) Flappy Bird using the swift programming language.

Features of Swift:

• Modern
• Designed for safety
• Fast and Powerful

Homepage: Swift

Other languages that you should know:

There are other languages(not programming languages) that you should know in 2015. They are as follows.

SQL: Structured Query languages is not exactly a programming language but provides you the right set of tools to manipulate data as you like.

Wrap Up

An interesting article on SitePoint ponders a detailed discussion on what programming languages makes it to the 10 best programming languages that you should learn. There are also tons of other sources mentioned in the article that can give you an interesting glimpse of what is to come in the year 2015.

The best programming languages also depends a lot on the context of your field. If you a data scientist, then there is less value in learning Ruby than Python. The choices may vary depending on the context of your work.

Think I missed some popular programming language that will blossom in the year 2015. Comment below and share it with the community.