There are over 8,000 programming languages today—so many, in fact, it’s nearly impossible to keep track. And every day, new languages are born, ready to take their place in the spotlight. But here’s the reality: only about 50 of these languages are widely known and actively used by engineers.
So, with all those choices, how do you decide what programming language to use for your next project?
Choosing a programming language for your project is like selecting the main spices for a dish. As with spices, you don't need the entire cabinet for your dish. You only need to choose a few related to it.
You don’t need to overwhelm yourself with choices. Just three to five languages are all you need to craft your project. The trick is selecting the right ones, based on your vision for your end result. Whether it's the versatility of Java, the simplicity of Python, the power of C++, or another option entirely, the right language will shape your project’s success. Keep reading to discover how to make the perfect choice.
Questions You Should Answer When Choosing a Language
A delicious recipe is only a set of instructions. Like a successful project that needs a programming language and a talented developer to kick off, it requires appropriate ingredients and skills to become a dish.
You wouldn’t use cinnamon in a savory pasta sauce (unless you feel experimental). The same goes for programming languages. Make an effort to follow the norm for specific projects. It saves you time and headaches (literal migraines) from struggling to code your objectives.
Unless your client or supervisor is the decision maker, here are questions you should ask yourself when choosing a delectable programming language:
1. What’s On the Menu (Project Scope and Purpose)?
Every project has a clear objective. Fortunately, you’ll have coding languages that are the blueprint for their execution available to you. For example, you don’t use beef to make sushi, just like you don’t use PHP for an iOS app. Or Swift to build an eCommerce website. Even if you found a way around it, the end (timeframe and quality) won’t justify the means.
Always list out the most compatible programming languages for the execution of your project and weigh them against your skillset and resources. Consult experts and discuss the nuances of your project to narrow down your options.
JavaScript is prevalent in web development because its syntax is easier to learn. Python may achieve the same final output but would cost more time and resources. Almost 70% of developers prefer JavaScript as the programming language of choice for this purpose.
In programming, less is always more as long as it gets the job done. Define a clear purpose, and the correct language will reveal itself.
2. Do You Need to Divide Labour for Speed and Efficiency?
Do you have a team of engineers, or are you a solo programmer? A chef with a buzzing kitchen can make 5-course meals for a hundred mouths to perfection, while Amanda may struggle boiling pasta in one try. The same logic applies to programming. Don’t force a language you or your team aren’t fluent in because you think it’s faster or more appealing.
Sometimes, several languages can achieve the same result, and it’s only right to use one you’re comfortable with. Consider your capacity to handle (coding and debugging) a programming language to avoid deploying a shitty product. If in doubt as a solo developer, jump on languages with the most resources.
If processing speed is a priority, you may need more numbers to influence your decision. Speed matters for various reasons, from SEO to user experience. A sluggish app loses users, and a slow backend kills performance. C++ and Rust run like lightning, while Python trades speed for simplicity.
Ensure that the language matches the task. If every millisecond counts, go compiled. If rapid development wins, go interpreted.
Alternatively, computer scientists use benchmarking to analyze programming languages' processing speed and performance. They run a set of operations under controlled conditions – your conditions.
Some reputable sites like
3. Does it have strong community support and rich libraries?
No one builds alone. A thriving community means endless resources, bug fixes, and innovation. Again, the easy way out is always the best for a programmer, but sometimes, not the wise decision. Remember the nuances we talked about earlier? Well, here’s one of them.
Code with CoffeeScript is a terrible decision because it supposedly has an easier syntax than JavaScript when its ecosystem is dying out. Remember the nuances we talked about earlier? Well, here’s one of them.
JavaScript has millions of contributors, Python offers libraries for everything, and Go is climbing fast. Check out GitHub, Stack Overflow, and package managers for more information. If the ecosystem thrives, so will you. It’s not bravery to jump into development with a dying programming language with a non-existent community.
4. Does it integrate well with your tech stack?
Businesses have an existing technological infrastructure with programming languages powering various solutions. It’s your duty as a programmer to choose a programming language to solve their problem with a compatible language.
If your backend runs on Java, Kotlin is a natural fit. If your client’s infrastructure is Microsoft-heavy, C# feels at home. Switching languages mid-project is costly. And no business wants to lose money to facilitate your novelty. Stick to compatibility because it saves time, money, and headaches. Choose a language that fits your world.
5. Will the language support long-term scalability?
One significant cause of programming languages becoming obsolete is their inability to scale. Twitter abandoned Ruby for other languages that could accommodate expansion and welcome lower costs.
This is why juggernauts like Python and Java grow in popularity yearly. I grew up noticing Java-powered Symbian phone software when I wasn’t even a developer, and now it’s dominating enterprise applications.
Can your language handle that growth? Java powers enterprise giants because it can scale with less computing overhead. And Go continues to perform at impressive speeds as it expands. PHP and Perl struggle at scale and are dying out today. Future-proof your code. If the language can't scale, neither can your success.
6. How secure is the language?
One security flaw can bring everything crashing down. Some languages are built with safety in mind—Rust prevents memory leaks, and TypeScript stops JavaScript mishaps. Others leave security up to you. If you’re handling sensitive data, don’t gamble. Choose a language that protects you from day one.
7. Is the language free, or does it have licensing costs?
Free isn’t always free. Some languages cost nothing but require expensive tools. Others charge for commercial use. Open-source options like Python, JavaScript, and Go give you flexibility without hidden fees. Before you commit, check the fine print.
8. Is the language in demand for hiring developers?
You’re not just picking a language—you’re picking a future. Python, Java, and JavaScript dominate the job market. Rust and Go are rising stars. Niche languages can mean higher pay but fewer job opportunities.
Want long-term value? Choose a language with demand. Additionally, it means the team will find it easier to find qualified assistance when operations scale.
Standard Programming Languages for Common Projects
Here are some of the most common use cases of the most popular programming languages in the industry.
Web Development
Web dev is complex but structured. It follows a dedicated process, uses specific tools, and depends on the right language to efficiently convert raw code into a live website. HTML and CSS lay the foundation, and in most cases, JavaScript adds interactivity, as sugar and baking powder form texture and rise.
A framework like React or Vue refines the website, just as the icing on a cake adds the finishing touches. It's straightforward but crucial.
Backend coding with languages like Ruby on Rails, Node.js, or Django (you can use the same front-end language for server-side on basic projects) will fire the website like an oven.
Simple websites, like a homemade cake, can function perfectly on only HTML, CSS, and Javascript. But a special cake, like a wedding or exhibition cake, needs comprehension and advanced backend coding languages.
Mobile Development
Alright, enough food analogies. I don’t want you to salivate from
Swift is easily the best
Data Science
Like with most fields, there are standards. Python dominates data science due to its vast libraries, while R is used mainly in statistical computing. SQL ensures data is well-organized. It’s handy like a pizza cutter for cutting through massive datasets.
Cloud Computing
As we’ve established, an order of programming language usage exists in every industry. Python is a major contender for most projects but a favorite for scripting and automation tasks. However, Golang (developed by Google) excels at performance-based initiatives, processing up to ten times faster than Python because the latter can’t perform native variable tasks.
The big boy, Java, reigns in enterprise solutions (you won’t be here) due to its scalability and interoperability.
Artificial Intelligence
It’s noteworthy to mention that Python is one of the most versatile programming languages in the industry. Newsflash: Python is the go-to for AI and machine learning projects. Frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, which assist developers with image recognition and language processing functions, also provide support.
Meanwhile, C++ and Java still reign in specialized applications like self-driving cars and Enterprise applications.
Final Thoughts
The principles for choosing the best programming remain the same. If you’re in doubt, remember to keep it simple stupid.
Overcomplicating easy tasks or branching out of the norm only, more likely than not, makes you an inefficient or terrible developer. Keep that up, and your career might take a downward curve.
In conclusion, choose programming languages that have a high adoption rate, resources, and the least code to execution, solving your problem. Learning a language for a project is pointless if it’s not necessary, even if you are determined to learn on the job.
