Languages Overview

SOURCE

Python

An Interpreted, Object-Oriented language with efficient semantics

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: Python developers, software engineers, back end developers, Python programmers. Used by employers in information technology, engineering, professional services and design.

Major Organizations: Google, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, DropBox, NASA, ESRI

Specializations and Industries: Web and Internet development (frameworks, micro-frameworks and advanced content management systems); scientific and numeric computing; desktop graphical user interfaces (GUIs)

What makes learning it important?

Python lets you work quickly to integrate systems as a scripting or glue language. It’s also suited for Rapid Application Develop (RAD).

The game Civilization 4 has all its inner logic, including AI, implemented in Python. NASA uses Python in its Integrated Planning System as a standard scripting language.

Features: Simple to learn and easily read Associated web frameworks for developing web-based applications Free interpreter and standard library available in source or binary on major platforms

Where did it start?

Python was developed in the late 1980s at CWI in the Netherlands and first released to the public in 1991.

Selenium vs BeautifulSoup vs Scrapy

Java

General purpose, OO, high level, good for web-based dev.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: Software engineers, Java developers; Used by employers in communications, education, finance, health sciences, hospitality, retail and utilities

Major Organizations: V2COM, Eclipse Information Technologies, eBay, Eurotech Specializations and Industries: Internet of Things (IoT), Enterprise Architecture, Cloud Computing

What makes learning it important?

Java is used to develop enterprise-level applications for video games and mobile apps, as well as to create web-based applications with JSP (Java Server Pages). When used online, Java allows applets to be downloaded and used through a browser, which can then perform a function not normally available.

Programs that use or are written in Java include Adobe Creative Suite, Eclipse, Lotus Notes, Minecraft and OpenOffice. Java is the core foundation for developing Android apps.

Features: Application portability Robust and interpreted language Extensive network library

Where did it start?

Originally known as Oak, Java was developed in 1990 at Sun Microsystems to add capabilities to the C++ language. Java was developed according to the principle of WORA (Write Once Run Anywhere). The language was introduced to the public in 1995 and is now owned by Oracle.

Ruby/Ruby on Rails

Ruby is an open-sourced, object-oriented scripting language that can be used independently or as part of the Ruby on Rails web framework.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: Ruby on Rails developers, software engineers, data science engineers Used by employers in technology, engineering, professional services, design, science and quality control

Major Organizations: Github, Scribd, Groupon, NASA Langley Research Center, Blue Sequence (part of Toyota Motor Manufacturing), Motorola, Google (SketchUp)

Specializations and Industries: Web App Development, Robotics, Networking, System Administration and Security What makes learning it important? Ruby is used for simulations, 3D modeling, and to manage and track information.

Basecamp, Amazon, Twitter and Groupon were all created using Ruby on Rails. NASA uses Ruby to conduct simulations.

Features: Free to use, copy, modify and distribute Intuitive and flexible language Completely object-oriented (ability to use method chaining)

Where did it start?

Designed in 1995, Ruby’s creator described it as “simple in appearance, but it is very complex inside, just like our human body.”

Javascript

JavaScript is a client-side programming language that runs inside a client browser and processes commands on a computer rather than a server. It is commonly placed into an HTML or ASP file. Despite its name, JavaScript is not related to Java.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: JavaScript developers, Web developers, software engineers Used by employers in Information Technology, Engineering, Design, Marketing, Finance and Healthcare

Major Organizations: WordPress, Soundcloud, Khan Academy, Linkedin, Groupon, Yahoo and many others

Specializations and Industries Where JavaScript is Used Most: Front End Website Development, Gaming Development

What makes learning it important?

JavaScript is used primarily in Web development to manipulate various page elements and make them more dynamic, including scrolling abilities, printing the time and date, creating a calendar and other tasks not possible through plain HTML. It can also be used to create games and APIs.

The agency Cyber-Duck in Britain uses public APIs, created with JavaScript, to pull in data about crime and enables users to review a local area. Tweetmap, created by Pete Smart and Rob Hawkes using JavaScript, represents a world map that is proportionally sized according to the number of tweets.

Features: Basic features are easy to learn Multiple frameworks Users can reference JQuery, a comprehensive Javascript library

Where did it start?

JavaScript was designed by Netscape and originally known as LiveScript, before becoming JavaScript in 1995.

C Language

C Language is a structure-oriented, middle-level programming language mostly used to develop low-level applications.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: Software developers, computer engineers, business and systems analysts, IT and Web content administrators, embedded software engineers

Used by employers in Information Technology, Engineering, Management, Healthcare and Professional Services

Major Organizations: Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, Cisco, Raytheon

Specializations and Industries Where C Language is Used Most: Embedded Systems, Systems Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Automation, Computer Graphics, Space Research, Image Processing and Game Programming

What makes learning it important?

C Language is used to develop systems applications that are integrated into operating systems such as Windows, UNIX and Linux, as well as embedded softwares. Applications include graphics packages, word processors, spreadsheets, operating system development, database systems, compilers and assemblers, network drivers and interpreters.

Facebook’s TAO systems is programmed mostly using C language. Most device drivers are still developed using C Language.

Features: Simple to learn; there are only 32 keywords to master Easy to write systems programs such as compilers and interpreters Foundational language for beginners Where did it start? The C Language was developed in 1972 at Bell Labs specifically for implementing the UNIX system. It eventually gave rise to many advanced programming languages, including C++, Java C#, JavaScript and Pearl.

C++

C++ is a general purpose, object-oriented, middle-level programming language and is an extension of C language, which makes it possible to code C++ in a “C style”. In some situations, coding can be done in either format, making C++ an example of a hybrid language.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: C++ software engineers, C++ software developers, embedded engineers, programmer analysts

Used by employers in Information Technology, Engineering, Professional Services, Design, Quality Control and Management

Major Company and Organization Users: Google, Mozilla, Firefox, Winamp, Adobe Software, Amazon, Lockheed Martin

Specializations: System/Application Software, Drivers, Client-Server Applications, Embedded Firmware

What makes learning it important?

The C++ language is used to create computer programs and packaged software, such as games, office applications, graphics and video editors and operating systems.

The Blackberry OS is developed using C++. The newest Microsoft Office suite was developed using C++.

Features: Often the first programming language taught at college level Quick processing and compilation mechanism Robust standard library (STL)

Where did it start?

Released in 1983 and often considered an object-oriented version of C language, C++ was created to compile lean, efficient code, while providing high-level abstractions to better manage large development projects.

C#

Pronounced C-sharp (not C-hashtag), C# is a multi-paradigm programming language that features strong typing, imperative, declarative, functional, generic, object-oriented and component-oriented disciplines.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: C# developers, automation test engineers, software engineers, senior .net Web developers

Used by employers in Information Technology, Engineering, Design, Professional Services, Management and Quality Control Major Organizations: Microsoft Intel, Hewlett Packard

Specializations: Windows-based platforms

What makes learning it important?

C# helps developers create XML web services and Microsoft .NET-connected applications for Windows operating systems and the internet.

Used to develop a wide range of software applications that accompany Visual Studio IDE. The only language used by the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF).

Features: Similar to Java in capabilities Ideal for beginners The go-to for working on Microsoft apps

Where did it start?

C# was developed in 2000 as part of Microsoft’s release of .NET framework; in 2003 it became an ISO standard. C# was based off of C, C++, and Java languages.

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor)

PHP is an open-source scripting language designed for creating dynamic web pages that effectively work with databases. It is also used as a general-purpose programming language.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: PHP developers, PHP software engineers Used across industries, to include Information Technology, Engineering, Design, Professional Services, Healthcare, Management and Finance

Major Organizations: Facebook, Yahoo, CyberCoders, NextGen

Specializations Where PHP is Used Most: Web Application Development, Server-Side Scripting, Command Line Scripting

What makes learning it important?

PHP is primarily used alongside dynamic data-heavy websites to collect form data. It’s also used in app development to generate dynamic page content.

PHP is part of the LAMP platform used by Facebook and Yahoo. Platforms such as Joomla, WordPress and Drupal use the PHP language.

Features: Easy to learn (as simple as embedding code inside HTML) Free and opensource Can be used on all major operating systems and web servers

Where did it start?

PHP was released in 1995 as a server-side scripting language, which is processed on a server to become a website in plain HTML.

SQL (Structured Query Language)

SQL is a database query language (not a development language) that allows for adding, accessing and managing content in a database. It is the language that allows programmers to perform the common acronym CRUD (Create; Read; Update; Delete) within a database.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: SQL server developers, database testers, software developers, database administrators

Used across industries like Information Technology, Engineering, Design, Management, Professional Servers, Business and Finance

Major Organizations: SQL is used by most companies and organizations that gather data. Examples include Robert Half Technology, Nigel Frank, CyberCoders and UnitedHealthCare.

Specializations Where SQL is Used Most: Data Analysis and Big Data Mining

What makes learning it important?

SQL interacts with the backend database of web application. It is the “de facto standard” database language, always used in conjunction with another programming language. SQL programs are implemented as a way for businesses and organizations to access and manipulate information stored in their databases.

Relational database management systems that use SQL include MySQL (by Oracle), Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server and others.

Features: Simple syntax, Free and easily accessible

Where did it start?

SQL was developed at the IBM Research Center in 1974 and originally known as SEQUEL. The first commercial version was introduced in 1979 by ORACLE.

Swift

Swift is Apple’s newest open-source, multi-paradigm programming language for iOS and OS X apps. Swift integrates Objective-C’s named parameters and object-oriented model, while including an advanced compiler, debugger and framework infrastructure.

Who uses it?

Professions and Industries: Swift Platform Developers, iOS Mobile Application Developers, Software Developers, Senior Programmers, Data Engineers Information Technology, Engineering, Design, Management and Professional Services

Major Organizations: Apple, Getty Images, Slack, Dow Jones, Playlist Media

Specializations Where Swift is Used Most: Software development

What makes learning it important?

Swift is primarily used by developers to create apps for iOS and OS X.

Dow Jones is rewriting sections of its mobile Wall Street Journal app using Swift. Getty Images built its consumer-facing app, Stream, using Swift.

Features:

Supports ‘playgrounds,’ a feature that lets programmers experiment and see immediate results. Easy to understand syntax Ideal for writing production-ready code

Where did it start?

Swift, which is based off of the Objective-C programming language, was introduced at Apple’s 2014 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The newest version, Swift 2, was released as an open-source language in 2015.