Top 5 Programming Languages in 2023 and Where to Learn Them

It’s been said again and again: in an increasingly digital world, coding has become a basic literacy. It powers almost everything we use—from smartphones to apps and websites—and it influences a range of roles, from IT jobs to non-tech positions.

It’s no surprise that as of 2020, there were about 700 programming languages and countless online platforms offering programming courses. The problem is if you want to learn how to code, you could get stuck deciding where to start. 

If you’re considering kickstarting a tech career, here are the top programming languages to learn in 2023 and how Codecademy’s courses can help you become proficient in them.

Top Five Programming Languages You Should Learn in 2023

1. JavaScript 

JavaScript is a standard tool for developing web applications, which is perhaps why it topped the 2021 Stack Overflow Developer Survey as the most commonly used language among coders. 

Web developers generally use JavaScript together with HTML and CSS for building functional and responsive web pages. It is an open-source scripting language that executes code quickly. JavaScript does this using a just-in-time (JIT) compilation. That means JavaScript compiles code during program execution, resulting in a fast runtime speed of web pages.

JavaScript empowers companies like Netflix to provide distributed services to millions of users. Tech professionals like web developers and user interface (UI) designers use JavaScript for various tasks including:

• Developing web games
• Creating functional web applications and websites
• Developing server-side applications using NodeJS

Learn JavaScript at Codecademy

Codecademy offers a free beginner-friendly course, taking about 20 hours to complete, that provides a basic understanding of JavaScript. Those looking for a more in-depth lesson can subscribe to the Pro version and opt for Codecademy’s Career Paths, a series of curated modules that dives deeper into complex tools and concepts. 

Some Career Paths incorporate JavaScript as a part of the curriculum. They include the Front End Engineer Career Path, Backend Engineer Career Path, and Full Stack Engineer Career Path. You can also find a JavaScript course that suits your goals and interests on Codecademy’s catalog page. 

2. Python

According to the 2021 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, Python was the third-most-popular programming language among coders. Owing to its popularity is its simple syntax, which enhances code readability and makes it easy for code newbies to learn.

Python is indispensable for data-oriented professions like data science and software engineering. Software engineers in top tech companies like Google use Python in maintaining their server-side applications.

Here are some uses of Python in software engineering, data science, and data engineering: 

• Collecting, sorting, analyzing, and generating insight from data
• Visualizing data in a simple format using Python’s graphical representation tools like Plotly
• Building blockchain applications, application programming interfaces, and web applications

Learn Python at Codecademy

Codecademy offers a free Python beginner’s course that walks you through the basic concepts of Python in 25 hours. It also prepares students for Codecademy’s more-advanced Python courses, which teach chatbot development, data visualization, and data analytics.

Students hone their coding skills by developing games and building a sensor dispenser, among other projects requiring Python proficiency. Check out Codecademy’s Python catalog page to find a course that would suit you best.

3. C++

C++ is an object-oriented programming language that functions on Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. Built off of the lower level C language, C++ is a robust and heavily typed language that still offers the flexibility of an object-oriented paradigm.

C++ is a versatile language that can be used across industries. It’s behind the technology of companies like LinkedIn and Opera. Software engineers use the programming language to perform tasks such as: 

• Developing embedded systems
• Building 3D games
• Creating desktop software 

Learn C++ at Codecademy

Codecademy’s free C++ beginner’s course requires 25 hours to complete. First, it introduces students to the fundamentals of C++. Then, students work on projects to strengthen their C++ skills. 

Those with prior C++ knowledge can continue to flex their coding muscles by upskilling with Codecademy’s C++ for Programmers course. This intermediate course is designed to help students “learn the basic syntax, work with object-oriented programming, and work with C++’s built-in data structures”.

4. Golang (Go)

Golang, also known as Go, is an emerging coding tool supported by Google. It is an open-source programming language that compiles quickly and is easy to read.

In 2020, HackerEarth surveyed close to 17,000 developers across the globe and found that 32 percent of seasoned developers prefer to use Go for building applications. As of January 2022, its popularity hasn’t waned. Go is listed at #13 on the PYPL Index (Worldwide)—an index that measures a language’s popularity based on Google Trends.

Go has a unique feature called goroutine—a function that enables programs to run concurrently. Goroutine works in the background, resolving lags while the main loop runs. 

Twitch, Google, and Uber are some big tech companies that use Go. Software engineers and database administrators commonly use Go for:

• Building and maintaining scalable server systems
• Developing media platforms like blogs
• Creating standalone applications like notepads and calculators

Learn Golang with Codecademy

Start your journey to becoming a Go developer with Codecademy’s free beginner’s course, which takes only nine hours to complete. At Codecademy, students build projects with Golang. 

5. Swift 

Swift is a general-purpose programming language developed by Apple. It adopts patterns from Objective-C, adding extra features to improve code readability. 

Developers at Apple use Swift to build software that can run on macOS and iOS devices like iPad and iPhone. Swift can be used to:

• Build scalable cloud services 
• Design rich software interface
• Build websites compatible with browsers like Safari 

Learn Swift with Codecademy

A free introductory course to Swift is available on Codecademy. It takes around 25 hours to complete. If you’re looking to build an iOS app, you can opt for Codecademy’s Skill Path, a series of lessons dedicated to comprehensive Swift know-how over 10 weeks. Afterward, you get to work on challenging projects like Morse decoder and magic 8-ball.

Learn In-Demand Programming Languages at Codecademy

Venture into the world of coding by learning a new programming language today. If you don’t know where to start, you can always experiment with any of the five languages above with Codecademy’s free, beginner-friendly courses. Browse the full Codecademy catalog for other programming languages like Java, Ruby, and C, or sign up here for free.