Want a programming job? Learn these three languages

If you want a programming job, you better ensure you’re proficient in SQL, Python, and Java. That’s according to the 2024 IEEE Spectrum Top Programming Languages report, which looks at what employers are looking for.

Also: The most popular programming languages in 2024

Between the 2022 Top Languages Report and the current 2024 analysis, there have been some changes in the top dozen languages on the jobs list. Java and Python have swapped second and third positions, with Python coming in just behind the database access language SQL. Python, of course, is hugely popular for AI-related development.

TypeScript has replaced JavaScript in fourth position, pushing JavaScript down a few notches. That’s a bit of a demotion for the web page programming language, but a big jump for TypeScript, Microsoft’s version of JavaScript, with more reliable data typing (making for more solid code).

Another big mover is SAS, a statistical analysis language. SAS didn’t even show in the top dozen languages two years ago, but it has moved into the fifth slot in terms of being in demand by employers. This rise can be attributed to the increase in data-related programming due to the AI boom and the demand for data.

Also: How I used ChatGPT to scan 170k lines of code in seconds and save me hours of detective work

Traditional language C has fallen off the top 12 list completely. This drop makes sense because C# and C++ are far more versatile languages, while C is a maintenance hassle and positively ancient.

What is a surprise is that Ruby, a fairly popular language for web development, has dropped off the list. Meanwhile, Kotlin, a language heavily used in Android app development, as well as in data science and enterprise applications, has made it into the top 12.

There’s a lot more to understanding how we measure programming language popularity than just looking at job listings. But for now, the message is clear: know your Python, SQL, and Java. And if you’ve been programming in JavaScript, it’s time to put some effort into brushing up on TypeScript.

Wait, there’s more…

So, after we initially published this article, we went down a data-gathering rabbit hole. If one survey recommended one set of languages, what would nine surveys recommend? We analyzed that question in the article, ‘The most popular programming languages in 2024 (and what that even means)‘. 

Also: The best AI for coding in 2024 (and what not to use)

Then, while digging through those results, I found data from 2016, so we can compare what was popular then versus now. That analysis can be seen in the article, ‘The rise and fall in programming languages’ popularity since 2016 – and what it tells us‘.

So, if you’re making some big career or learning decisions, make sure you read these two articles first:

Good luck. Let us know what languages you’re going to study in the comments below.

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