10 Most In-Demand Programming Languages of 2018
Do you have the skills you'll need to succeed this year, or are you still betting on a COBOL revival?
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With the arrival of a new year, software developers face a rapidly changing landscape. Platforms and business needs are evolving while programming languages are either gaining or falling in popularity. Developers looking to keep their careers on track should acquire new skills, brush up abilities in areas they've long neglected, and reluctantly bid farewell to favorite tools that are rapidly losing their luster.
Coding boot camp operator Coding Dojo recently analyzed data collected by job website Indeed.com, covering 25 programming languages, stacks, and frameworks, in an effort to determine which will likely be the seven most in-demand coding languages of 2018, as well as three up-and-comers.
The days of developers basing their careers on just a single programming language are over, declared Speros Misirlakis, Coding Dojo's head of curriculum. "Programmers must know at least three to five programming languages and have some knowledge about those entire stacks — front-end, back-end, and database—if they want to stay relevant in the web development field," he explained. "Much like any tool or application, companies use different coding languages for different requirements; there’s not a one-size-fits-all option."
Here are Coding Dojo's top picks for 2018:
Ruby, long touted as a dynamic, open source programming language with a focus on simplicity and productivity, is now seen by many experts as the programming language facing the steepest decline in demand.
"Trends in language demand change frequently for various reasons, and while we can’t predict what companies will be hiring less for, it has become clear to us that the demand for coders who know Ruby is diminishing," Misirlakis said.
"A lot of Ruby developers will continue to move toward more modern, faster moving languages and communities like Elixir/Phoenix," noted Michael Roberts, an instructor at Origin Code Academy in San Diego.
While programming language popularity is fleeting, knowing how to solve algorithms will always remain one of the most important programming skills. "This is why we put such strong emphasis in learning algorithms at Coding Dojo," Misirlakis said. The languages may come and go, but the ability to problem-solve will always be in demand, he explained. "Aspiring and existing developers must learn coding’s common building blocks and ultimately become fluent in multiple languages to have the adaptability and flexibility for a successful career."
While programming language popularity is fleeting, knowing how to solve algorithms will always remain one of the most important programming skills. "This is why we put such strong emphasis in learning algorithms at Coding Dojo," Misirlakis said. The languages may come and go, but the ability to problem-solve will always be in demand, he explained. "Aspiring and existing developers must learn coding’s common building blocks and ultimately become fluent in multiple languages to have the adaptability and flexibility for a successful career."
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