Most Common Programming Language for Studying to Code in 2024

Stack Overflow’s 2024 Developer Survey simply dropped, with Python rating the most well-liked programming language amongst folks studying to code. This discovering tracks with our Codecademy neighborhood’s style: Our Be taught Python 3 course is the hottest in our catalog, that means it’s the course learners go to and enroll in essentially the most.

Tens of millions of skilled builders and newbies select Python. This 12 months, the annual Stack Overflow Developer survey checked out over 65,000 responses from folks in 185 nations. Most respondents are full-time skilled builders, however the survey additionally contains folks studying to code, hobbyists, and people who write code generally as a part of their work or research.

Why Python is the most well-liked language for learners

Survey individuals had been requested to call the programming, scripting, and markup languages they’ve in depth expertise with, and choose those they’d wish to preserve working with. Within the class of people who find themselves studying the way to code, 66% stated they like Python essentially the most.

People at the beginning of their studying journey gravitate in the direction of Python since its syntax is evident, concise, and reads like plain English. The creator of Python, Guido Van Rossum, deliberately designed the syntax so {that a} complete beginner may simply grasp new programming ideas. Right here’s a Python code snippet for a program that calculates the factorial of a quantity. Check out the simple syntax:

def factorial(n):
    if n == 0:
        return 1
    else:
        return n * factorial(n - 1)

# Instance utilization
quantity = 5
end result = factorial(quantity)
print(f"The factorial of {quantity} is {end result}")

One other Python perk is its versatility throughout internet growth, machine studying, information science, and monetary evaluation. Whenever you’re first studying to code, it’s possible you’ll not know which programming area pursuits you essentially the most. With Python, you possibly can go in studying the fundamentals of internet dev and have the pliability to increase to information evaluation and machine studying afterward. Plus, Python has tons of pre-written libraries, instruments, and frameworks that enhance what you are able to do with the language. 

The survey responses from skilled builders had been barely completely different than the group of learners, with 65% claiming JavaScript as their favourite adopted by SQL, HTML/CSS, after which Python. Skilled builders usually use plenty of completely different languages based mostly on their group’s tech stack or their very own experience and job obligations. For those who’re knowledgeable developer trying to refine your expertise in one in all these languages, you should definitely take a look at our intermediate and superior programs.

Extra programming languages for studying to code

So, what are the opposite programming languages that folks (such as you!) studying to code rank extremely? Listed here are the most well-liked programming, scripting, and markup languages, in keeping with those that are studying to code (plus beginner-friendly programs to get you began):

Python

Attempt it: Be taught Python 3

HTML/CSS

Attempt it: Be taught HTML, Be taught CSS

JavaScript

Attempt it: Be taught JavaScript

Java

Attempt it: Be taught Java

C++

Attempt it: Be taught C++

SQL

Attempt it: Be taught SQL

C

Attempt it: Be taught C

Bash/Shell

Attempt it: Be taught the Command Line

TypeScript

Attempt it: Be taught TypeScript

C#

Attempt it: Be taught C#

For those who’re overwhelmed by all of those languages to select from, the free Codecademy course Selecting a Programming Language may help discover the precise match for you. We’ll cowl key elements and information you to one of the best Codecademy programs and talent paths.

Begin studying Python in the present day

Able to take the Python plunge? We advocate kicking issues off with our introductory course Be taught Python 3, then taking the free course Getting Began with Python for Information Science for hands-on expertise working with actual datasets in Python. If you wish to get into internet growth, strive Construct Python Net Apps with Django or Construct Python Net Apps with Flask. Discover our 130-plus Python programs and initiatives to get a sampling of every little thing the language has to supply.

For extra in-depth findings, you should definitely learn the complete Stack Overflow 2024 Developer Survey.