JavaScript
Benefits
JavaScript is a very versatile, loose language used to write a variety of applications. When combined with HTML, an interactive website is made, allowing for a better user experience. When used with extension libraries like Node JS or the newer Deno JS, the extended functionalities speed up development time. JavaScript can run directly on the browser or by itself using the aforementioned Node JS.
Drawbacks
JavaScript relies heavily on a working browser since it is used primarily for the development of website functionality. If the browser is disabled, the whole website won’t work as designed. A malicious code can be inserted intentionally or unintentionally to cause problems, one of the biggest concerns these days are codes in websites that secretly mine cryptocurrency in the background.
Common Uses
JavaScript is used in website development and HTML, CSS, PHP, or Python and in developing native mobile applications due to the language’s wide range of supported operating systems.
C++
Benefits
C++ is a programming language that was extended from C. It features a rich set of libraries, APIs, and libraries from which to choose. The language supports various systems and devices, allowing for the writing of anything from device drivers to video games.
Drawbacks
Because of the huge library, anyone starting to learn can be easily overwhelmed by what library to use. It’s best for any beginner to really start with the basics, but when the language is mastered, there’s a lot of potential for projects. Run-time checking is a feature not yet supported in C++, and this plainly means a running program written in C++ will not check for errors or defects.
Common Uses
Anywhere from device drivers to computer games or applications for speed is crucial.
C
Benefits
Of course, you can’t talk about C++ without talking about C. This language is best for anyone who wants to start getting into Programming Languages. According to Ian Gorton, this is a “good foundation” for learning how to program. C is so fundamental that the languages Python, Ruby, and PHP were written with C.
Drawbacks
C is best used for functionalities “close to the metal,” making it unsuitable for creating websites. It’s best to use a programming language designated for a specific application.
Common Uses
C is a language used for writing software for embedded systems like medical devices or automobiles.
PHP
Benefits
The internet won’t be where it is now if not for PHP. This 25+-year-old language was developed to work as a server-side language that processes an incoming request from a browser for a page, assembles the page on the server, then sends it back to the requesting client. The language has been around for a very long time, thus having a lot of frameworks and libraries.
Drawbacks
PHP is a very loose language and has been around for a long time, so it has a lot of baggage. The language is known for security issues. Due to JavaScript and Python gaining popularity on the server-side, PHPs popularity has dropped over the years.
Rust
Benefits
Rust is a relatively new cross-platform language developed to combat the issues that plague C/C++: memory management, and multi-threading. Rust comes with a better system for handling concurrent data access, which prevents two or more threads from accessing data from the same memory location at the same time. This prevents the issue of data racing. It also comes with data ownership within memory. This prevents segmentation faults, wherein the program tries to access data from memory that belongs to another program.
Drawbacks
Rust is not necessarily an OOP language, and it uses traits as its substitute. Rust derives its characteristics mostly from the FP family of languages like Ocaml and Haskell. When choosing between Rails and Django or Rust for web development, it’s best to stick with the first two.
Common Uses
These are Apps that require low-level control and where speed is crucial.
Haskell
Benefits
Haskell is a functional and general-purpose language, widely used in fintech, biotech, and blockchain solutions. The language is used heavily in academic research and industrial applications. The language is very well optimized for complicated solutions, and Web3.0.
Drawbacks
Anyone wanting to learn the language will have to be good at understanding mathematical concepts. Many people said this is not a programming language for a beginner, but it can be your first language if mathematical logic is not a problem. Also, a programmer coming from an OOP background will have to expect differently when learning a functional language. When it comes to the job market, there isn’t a huge demand, but that could also mean less competition so that it can turn into a benefit as well should there be a sudden demand in the future.
Common Uses
Scientific fields.
Python
Benefits
Python is a programming language that is easy to learn. It’s great for beginners due to its simple syntax. There aren’t a lot of requirements to begin with, and a program can be run in just a few minutes without the need for a complex compiling procedure. The language, despite its simplicity, has a wide array of uses, especially in Data Science and Machine Learning applications. Anyone interested in those fields with benefit widely by learning Python.
Drawbacks
Python, as of date, is not yet suitable for developing mobile applications.
Common Uses
This is used for machine learning, web servers, video game development, Raspberry Pi (GPIO) programming, and automation.
