What Programming Language Should I Learn?

Key takeaways

Use factors like your current skill level, career goals, and the language’s popularity to choose a programming language to learn.

• If you’re just starting out, consider learning a beginner-friendly language like Java, JavaScript, or Python.

• If you’re an experienced programmer, you might consider more advanced languages like Kotlin, C#, and R.

• You can also choose to learn a programming language based on the field you want to enter, like C for cybersecurity, Swift for app development, and HTML for full-stack web development. 

Explore your options for the best programming language to learn based on your career goals. If you’re ready to start learning a programming language, enroll in the Python for Everybody Specialization. You’ll have the opportunity to learn fundamental programming concepts, including data structures, networked application programming interfaces, and databases, using the Python programming language in as little as two months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career certificate for your resume.

How to decide which programming language to learn

As of 2026, 73.8 percent of the global population has internet access, up from just 42.8 percent in 2016 [1]. The number of websites, games, and applications has steadily increased as well. These programs and platforms all started as an idea that computer programming brought to life. Whether you're interested in launching a career or simply bringing your own ideas to life, learning a programming language is step one. Consider these factors when deciding which programming language to learn:

• Current skill level: Some languages have a steeper learning curve than others. If you're brand new to programming, it's best to select a beginner-friendly language.

• End goals: You may want to learn a programming language to accomplish a specific task, for example, creating a video game. Or, you might want to start a career in programming. Either way, identifying your goals will help guide you in the right direction.

• Popularity: Some programming languages are more widely used than others. Choosing a popular programming language can help you build in-demand skills and provide you with more resources and a larger community of programmers.

What programming language should I learn first?

If you're brand new to programming, consider learning a popular language for beginners. Typically, beginner-level programming languages are high-level, meaning they are designed to be easy to write and understand. Many of them are general-purpose programming languages, making them useful for a wide variety of projects. You can compare and contrast a few popular choices.

Read more: Learning How to Code: a Beginner's Guide

Java

Java is one of the oldest object-oriented languages and one of the most sought-after languages to be proficient in. Because of its popularity, Java tutorials and information are widely available, making this a great candidate for starting your first programming project. 

You can use Java for the following:

• Website development 

• Mobile and software applications

• Server-side development

• Android development

• Large-scale or enterprise-level application development

• Internet of Things (IoT)

• Big data analysis and processing tools

JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the most commonly used scripting languages in the world. Meta, Google, and YouTube all use JavaScript as an integral part of their software because programmers can use it for server-side scripting, gaming, web applications, mobile apps, etc. JavaScript makes dynamic, complex features possible, such as interactive menus, animations, and background colors.

JavaScript is used in the following:

• Front-end development and graphical user interface (GUI) desktop applications

• Web-based application development

• Game development

• Database development and maintenance

Java vs. JavaScript

Java is an object-oriented programming language. JavaScript is a scripting language, meaning it's interpreted at runtime. Scripting languages can be easier for beginners to learn because they are less complex than programming languages. However, both Java and JavaScript are beginner-friendly.

Python

Python is another exceedingly popular language to learn. It is a general-purpose programming language with a wide variety of libraries, tools, and frameworks to start with. Python is widely known for being easy to learn and versatile.

Python is used in the following:

• Website and software application development

• Task automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI)

• Data analysis and visualization

Practice your Python skills independently with tutorials

Want to gain skills before you commit to a course or a boot camp? You can read step-by-step guides for troubleshooting Python basics like syntax, if-else statements, exceptions, and working with loops in Coursera's free programming tutorials.

More advanced software programming languages

If you’re a more experienced programmer looking for a challenge or need a language tailored to create a specific application, one of the languages below may interest you. Three more challenging languages to consider include Kotlin, C#, and R.

Kotlin

Kotlin is a general-purpose language meant primarily for Google applications. It’s also interoperable with Java and supports functional programming languages. Some companies that use Kotlin in their frameworks include Coursera, Pinterest, and Postmates. This language is a sound choice for intermediate to advanced programmers. 

C#

C# is another intermediate to advanced language developed by Microsoft and is one of the leading languages for the .NET framework. This language is best suited for Windows, Android, and iOS software. 

R

R is another advanced language mainly used for data analysis, statistics, calculations, and data visualization. Applications that use R are usually in conjunction with databases or large data structures. 

Programming languages for specific use cases

Once you've assessed your skill level, think about your interests or career goals. This exercise can help you decide whether you should focus on a language that is front-end, back-end, or both. Consider the following projects, job titles, and their respective languages.

What programming language should I learn for cybersecurity?

Although knowledge of programming languages isn't a hard requirement for cybersecurity professionals, it can be exceedingly helpful. Learning a programming language can help you stand out from other job candidates for entry-level roles or make the transition to a more advanced role easier. Commonly used programming languages in cybersecurity include:

• Python: In cybersecurity, you can use Python for penetration testing and vulnerability scanning.

• C: C is a programming language that is commonly used for cryptography or data encryption. Cybersecurity professionals can use it to create firewalls and prevent access to sensitive data.

What are programming languages for app development?

Swift is an Apple language that is a popular choice for creating iOS apps. Swift is highly interactive, and in its development environments, you can see your coding output, which helps evaluate front-end components. 

C++ is another highly respected choice for mobile app development. This is a general-purpose, object-oriented language used for Android app development. C++ is commonly used for game development, banking apps, and cloud computing.

What are programming languages for web development?

Python and Java are languages that are practical for web developers. Python and Java both have simple syntax and support multiple platforms. Python is open-source and has a huge community that provides support. These languages have tremendous libraries that are useful for web development. 

Front-end web development

Hypertext markup language (HTML), cascading style sheets (CSS), and JavaScript are essential languages for front-end development, such as creating web pages. Developers can use JavaScript for back-end programming as well. 

Back-end development

Python, hypertext preprocessor (PHP), and JavaScript are three powerful languages for back-end development. JavaScript is one of the most trustworthy backend languages for server-side architecture. It offers rich interfaces and online availability and is also increasing in popularity. PHP is a simple backend programming language for web development. PHP is known for its server-side capabilities, high flexibility, and conjunction with HTML, extensible markup language (XML), and JavaScript. Python is an object-oriented language that supports functionality for web automation and scraping. This language can be quite helpful for managing and analyzing data. 

Full-stack developer

HTML and CSS are both languages that can supplement your abilities as a full-stack developer. HTML is commonly used for web applications, and HTML5 is an option for web applications to work offline and for graphic integration. With HTML, it’s helpful to also learn cascading style sheets used for a webpage’s appearance and layout. HTML and CSS are great languages for web development and working with the front-end aspects of sites. 

Strengthen your skill set with guided learning tools

Subscribe to Career Chat on LinkedIn to stay current with the latest trends in your career field. Continue your learning journey in programming languages with our other free digital resources:

• Plan your learning: Java Learning Roadmap: Skills, Courses, and Career Paths

• Watch on YouTube: How Long Does It Really Take to Learn Python?

• Bookmark for later: Python Basics Cheat Sheet

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