What are the most in-demand programming languages?

Software and app development is a career with a future in the current digital era. In recent years, companies' demand for programmers has increased considerably and is expected to continue to grow. Given this situation, many professionals have decided to retrain for a career in coding.

For example, did you know that job ads for mobile app programmers are set to increase from 17% to 24% by the year 2026? In the following years, this trend will continue, while at present, especially as a result of the pandemic, the demand for digital professionals has grown even greater thanks to the digital transformation many companies have undertaken in order to progress. 

Data gathered by Nuclio Digital School indicate that after the 2020 lockdown, interest in intensive programming courses - called bootcamps - has grown by 30%, due to the fact that employability in the software development sector continues to grow in line with the unstoppable digital transformation, which only accelerated with the circumstances experienced in 2020, achieving in 8 months what would have taken 8 years under normal conditions. 

If you would like to learn more about the most in-demand programming languages, and what they’re used for, keep reading!

What is a programming language?

For a basic understanding of what a programming language is, we might describe it as the "language" software developers use to give instructions to the different components of a computer. With this language, they can create complex algorithms that give rise to minor functionalities that, in turn, come together to form a set until ultimately, they become the applications we use at work or in our personal life. Whatsapp, Telegram, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter… any website or application that springs to mind is built using programming languages.

Computers work in a basic binary language, consisting of ones and zeros. Due to the complexity of that language, programming languages have been invented to let us write instructions in a way that's easier for humans to read, although at the end of the day, the computer always ends up translating these to binary.

So all of the most in-demand programming languages are no more than the computer code, usually written by programmers, that gives computers and smartphones a set of instructions in order to determine their logical or physical behaviour, as well as to execute certain tasks. 

What are the most in-demand programming languages used for?

The different languages used today rely on a series of predefined instructions that programmers combine in a logical and mathematical way to shape the various functionalities of a program. Understanding them is relatively straightforward because, currently, the languages used are very similar to human language. There are all manner of instructions: conditionals, loops, text strings, numerics or images, functions, objects... each of the most in-demand programming languages provides the necessary instructions so that in one way or another you can achieve what you want. 

For example, if you want to print a message on the screen, you can use the command "printf("Hello everyone”);". It's that simple. Or if you need to save a number in a variable, you can use the instruction “Int number = 5;" or "$String = 'Hello everyone’;" to save text. By combining these instructions, you can display the text stored in a variable on the screen: printf(string);. That’s a basic example, but this is how developers structure their programs bit by bit. 

The logic of a program can be seen as a recipe, while the programmer is the cook. Here is an example that is often given when learning to program: to make a pizza you have to follow a set of instructions in a specific order until you have turned some flour, water and a bunch of separate ingredients into a pizza. It's the same in programming: using a programming language, elements (the ingredients) are added in a logical order (the recipe) to get a computer to do what you want. 

List of programming languages

The old most in-demand programming languages were really outdated and extremely complicated to understand, which made it very difficult to create useful programs that correctly executed instructions. Over time, programming languages have evolved, and nowadays they look a lot like human language, meaning that learning to use the different instructions and language elements is much easier - so much so that most of the current most in-demand languages are based on English, although there have been various different phases before reaching this stage:

• Machine language: also called first generation language, this is actually the only language computers speak. All the rest are translated one way or another into this one. It is based on a binary numbering system of zeros and ones. E.g., 1111000 represents the number 120 in binary code. Just a simple number!
• Low-level languages: also called second generation languages, were the first programming languages to appear, such as COBOL or FORTRAN. Despite being a little easier to understand, they were still very complicated to read and write, which hindered the ability to develop software in an agile and effective way. E.g. : the example of "Hello World” in COBOL.
• High-level languages: these languages are the ones used today by the most in-demand programming languages. They are very similar to English, and anyone can understand them. There are three distinct generations of these languages:
  • Third generation: similar to the second generation, but easier to interpret, better optimised and offering greater possibilities. Languages such as Pascal or C, C++, Delphi or PHP are still used today.
  • Fourth generation: these are the closest to human language and are the most widely used today. Java, Visual Basic .NET or SQL are some of the most in-demand programming languages, and are found in many of the current applications.
  • Fifth generation: natural and highly advanced languages designed to be used in artificial intelligence (AI). They are still being worked on.

The most in-demand programming languages today

There is a big list of programming languages at present, each with its own features, advantages and drawbacks. Here are some of the most in-demand programming languages:

• Java: this is the most widely used programming language today, perhaps thanks to its simplicity and how easy it is to understand. More than nine million programmers use it and more than 7,000 million devices run applications written in Java.
• C: although it was created between 1969 and 1972, this is still one of the most widely used coding languages. Flexible, robust, versatile and easy to understand, it is ideal for developing all kinds of programs. It is recommended that anyone wanting to learn to code begins with C.
• Python: this is a cross-platform and multi-paradigm interpreted language, which means it can be used to develop almost anything. It's also really easy to understand, making it ideal for beginners.
• C++: the direct evolution of C, C++ is object-oriented, making it more like human language. Many graphic design programs are written in this language because it's suitable for working with visual elements.
• C#: also known as C Sharp, stems from C and C++. Created in the year 2000, it stands out for its simplicity in developing applications under the Windows operating system.
• Visual Basic .NET: this is a language owned by Microsoft that allows you to develop desktop applications for Windows in a way that's visual and easy-to-understand.
• SQL: Structured Query Language is the language used in most current databases. Programmers use this in all manner of apps to check, input, modify or delete information from databases.

There are many other programming languages that are also in demand nowadays, such as HTML5, CSS3, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby, R, Perl, Swift and many more. Each programmer specialises in one or more to gain specific expertise and to be capable of creating any type of computer applications. In fact, once you understand the basics of programming, learning a new language is much easier.

Learn to program and improve your employability

As you can see from the article, programming languages have evolved over the years, making it easier to develop computer applications that are more accessible to all.

In fact, many schools are already teaching programming at primary school, using a programming language based on Scratch blocks, as this helps children to solve problems in a logical and structured way. 

In that same vein of making programming more accessible, facilitating access to anyone with an interest in acquiring such digital know-how, Banco Santander is committed to three key concepts: lifelong learning, reskilling and upskilling. To support this commitment, it has created the Santander Open Academy website, a unique and pioneering global programme. 

If you would like to keep growing personally and professionally, head over to the Santander Scholarships website, where you'll find 100s of opportunities to train together with internationally renowned institutions. Access training in technology, languages, research, investigation, soft skills, internships and female leadership, which will help you to improve your employability or refocus your career.

Do you want to become a lifelong learner and increase your job opportunities? The Santander Open Academy website has plenty of options to help you achieve your goals. Check out the website and remember: you can sign up for as many courses as you like. Make the most of this opportunity!