Top 10 Programming Languages for 2022

Programming is providing a computer with a set of instructions to execute. The programming language is the tool we can use to write the language for the computer to follow.

Computers operate using binary code, which are strings made up of 1s and 0s, and using programming languages helps bridge the gap between computers and humans by translating the 1s and 0s into something we can write and understand and therefore pass our instructions through.

Programming languages can be categorised into High Level and Low Level:

Low Level programming languages are harder for humans to read and understand as they are predominantly in binary code. However, low level programming languages do have their advantages which include being fast and allowing extreme precision in controlling how a computer will function.

High Level programming languages operate closer to how humans communicate by using words (such as request, order, run, etc.) within their codes. By using similar words humans use in everyday life, high level programming languages are easier to program in as opposed to low level, however, they do take longer to implement as they are having to translate into machine code for the computer.

Here we look at the Top 10 Programming Languages that employers and candidates need to be aware of in 2022.

1.Python

Python is a versatile, general purposing programming language that can be used in solving problems in learning and development, data analytics as well as web and software applications. Python is now considered one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world due to it being one of the easiest languages to learn, this being based on its accuracy, efficiency, and low entry point, whilst also having the ability to integrate well with other programming languages. With all of its benefits, Python is an excellent programming language as an introductory into language for beginners or even for those with further advanced software knowledge. The Learning People currently offer a training course on Python to gain an understanding of the skill which can be found here.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in Python is £75,000.

2.JavaScript

JavaScript is thought to be the programming language for the web. For many years, JavaScript has been a dominant force within software development and is mainly used for creating web pages, enabling game development and web/mobile applications. JavaScript uses front-end and back-end friendly language that helps to execute complex actions whilst adding interaction and special effects to webpages. Interaction throughout webpages can include updating content, animating images, controlling multimedia etc. to help enhance the consumer’s experience. JavaScript has been and will continue to be a popular programming language due to the speed in which it can achieve actions, in addition to having a simplicity attribute making it relatively straightforward to learn and implement.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in JavaScript is £62,000.

3.C

C is a general-purpose programming language which was developed as a system programming language to communicate an operating system. C can also be noted as a structured programming language which enables complex programs to be broken into simpler programs called function which allows an easier process to be followed by the user. C programming language has been used for several decades due to its ability to provide programmers with high levels of control, efficiency and speed. This programming language can be used to develop software such as databases, compilers and operating systems. C is an easy language for users to begin learning however it can be slightly more cryptic in its form as opposed to other programming languages, this issue can be quite quick to overcome once familiar with the language.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in C is £60,000.

4.PHP

HP is a globally used server-side scripting language that is embedded within HTML and is especially suited to web development. Some of the functions that PHP helps to contribute to are managing databases, dynamic content and building e-commerce webpages. PHP has the benefit of being one of the simple to learn scripting languages, it is also extremely flexible and allows easy compatibility with other programming languages. It was found by W3Techs that PHP is still used by over 78% of websites that use a server-side language, which can be translated to roughly 8 out of 10 websites that we visit daily using PHP in some function. With this statistic in mind, PHP is considered an extremely popular programming language and is also an excellent choice for those interested in building dynamic web applications.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in PHP is £50,200.

 or visit www.phpjobs.org.uk

5.Ruby

Ruby is a dynamic, general-purposing programming language that has a strong focus on simplicity and productivity when it comes to functions. This is achieved through Ruby’s refined syntax which allows ease for users when reading and writing code. Ruby is highly used for building web applications however as it is a general-purpose programming language, it also owns other functions such as data analysis, proof of concepts and prototyping. Ruby developed ‘Ruby on Rails (RoR)’ which is an open-source web application frameworks, this is one of Ruby’s main features as it runs on the Ruby programming language. Due to the current demand for SaaS (Software as a Service), Ruby looks set to grow as it offers everything needed for successful software implementations. A downfall of Ruby would be speed and debugging skills, resulting in its popularity lying heavily with SaaS.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in Ruby is £65,000.

6.C++

C++ was designed as an extension of C; it is considered one of the fastest languages and is used when a low-level programming language is necessary. C++ is used to create computer programs, data structures, applications and much more. It is one of the most versatile programming languages out there and is used to build major operating systems including Microsoft Windows and Linux. It is considered a harder language to learn than others as it has more complex syntax but investing time in learning it can bring you a lot of career benefits.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in C++ is £60,500

7.C#

# is Microsoft’s extremely popular programming language that is commonly used for developing desktop/web applications, web services and game development. The programming language C# is predominantly used on the Windows .NET framework however it can easily be implemented within an open-source platform. C# owns benefits such as being highly versatile, having a relatively low learning curve and its efficiency which helps contribute to its popularity amongst developers of any level. Due to C#’s popularity within the developer community, users can easily find support or answers for questions very quickly which is another benefit of the programming language. Learning C# developer skills would allow plenty of career opportunities and is, therefore, a great programme for beginners.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in C# is £52,500.

 or visit www.csharpjobs.co.uk

8.Java

Java is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Not only is it one of the most popular but it is considered one of the best to begin learning as an entry into the programming world due to it being easy and simple to understand. Owned by Oracle, it is estimated that there are over 3 billion mobile devices currently running on Java and 9 million Java developers worldwide. Java’s functions can be utilised for mobile applications, software development, web/desktop applications and games with many more to add and can be used on several platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, etc. It is an open-source and free programming language which is secure, fast and powerful. Java continues to be the most used development platform and will continue to evolve over the years.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in Java is £75,000.

9.TypeScript

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript. Unlike JavaScript, TypeScript is an object-oriented programming language. TypeScript introduces strong static typing, making it easier to debug which is more efficient when coding large projects, static typing also gives code more structure. TypeScript is portable across browsers and operating systems and can run on any system that uses JavaScript.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in TypeScript is £70,000.

10.Perl

Perl (Practical Extraction and Reporting Language) is a general-purpose programming language, supporting object-oriented, procedural, and functional programming. Perl is an ideal web programming language due to its text manipulation capabilities and rapid development cycle. Perl also uses natural language elements, making it easier to learn.

The average salary for IT professionals skilled in Perl is £63,000

Learning a new programming language or simply continuing to develop your current skill set is an excellent way to become highly noticeable to employers.

There are a wide range of training resources for those who want to learn any of the top 10 programming languages of 2022. For example The Diploma in Tech Fundamentals which covers 3+ of the programming languages above as well as many more invaluable tech skills.

Learning a new programming language is a wise career move as the demand for candidates with this knowledge is rapidly increasing with excellent average salaries to offer!

Browse more of our tech jobs here.