Programming language guide 2024

Posted 2024-04-17 10:00:00 by sanyi ‐ 2 min read

A quick look at the state of programming languages

Nowadays, I read a lot of programming language comparisons. Of course, they are always biased, based on the authors preferences. I thought I could write my own too, based on my 25 years of experience in the field. Don't take it too seriously, though. It's just another subjective opinion.

Python

Number one for quick prototyping, gluing things together, quick data processing and analysis. A good choice for learning the basics of programming also.

JavaScript / TypeScript

The primary language for frontend development. You can use it on the backend too, if you are too lazy to learn something else. Not terrible, but not great either.

Rust

For serious work, when you need both speed and safety.

C / C++

For serious work when power is more important than safety, or when you have to deal with legacy code.

Assembly

When every bit is important.

Java and C#

The two workhorses of the corporate world. I think Rust is clearly superior to both, but until everyone else realizes that, they will remain with us (and that will be a long time).

Go

Good for simple things, but I prefer Rust over it.

Ruby, Perl, PHP

Their time has passed. They are still around, but I wouldn't start anything new with them.

Swift, Kotlin

Have their niches in mobile development.

Fortran

The big comeback. For serious number crunching, scientific computing.

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languages