Software developers are technological puppeteers who pull the design strings to engage the consumer audience. The best professionals in the business are immensely creative and utilize their technical knowhow to advance innovation.
Code is one building block that developers utilize in their creative process. Historically, code was written in four languages: Java, C#, C++ or SQL. However, hundreds of specialized programming languages have been created, making it difficult to know where to begin.
One way to keep your hand on the programming pulse is to listen to the market and tech trends. The following niche languages rely on the dominant languages but offer new features that greatly increase efficiency and productivity.
For programmers and software developers, it is easy to latch onto this language, as it has many benefits. For example, productivity is increased because Python eliminates the compilation step, the edit-test-debug cycle is lightning fast, and bugs or faulty input never cause segmentation issues.
This programming language is introspectively powerful, as evinced by the debugger being written in Python. When its’ interpreter finds an error, it raises an exception. If the program does not catch the exception, the interpreter prints a stack track.
Python utilizes a standard library that allows developers to learn the software while working on realistic applications. Developers can run Python’s interpreter in one window while programming in another, allowing for simultaneous testing of features while coding.
For areas such as scientific computing and machine learning and engineering, Python supports a programming style utilizing simple functions and variables with limited interrogating in class definition. Code can be expressed in fewer lines, but it is still readable and modifiable. Additionally, its commonalities with Java and C++ make it simple and easy to pick up.
Ruby is an open source, dynamic language that focuses on simplicity and productivity. Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto created Ruby in the 1990s to make programming uncomplicated and enjoyable for newbies. It is one of the best starter platforms for those who are in the early stages of learning code.
In 2004, Ruby became highly popular when its’ full-stack web framework, Ruby on the Rails, was released, launching it into the mainstream. This language is popular among employers who use it for building out websites. The framework makes programming a breeze because it assumes what a developer needs, effectively guiding them toward the best solutions and dissuading them from choosing bad alternatives.
Ruby on the Rails is also advantageous because it takes less lines of code to accomplish more than many of the other languages can. It effectively removes the cumbersome and time-consuming burden of repeating the same code again and again, substantially increasing productivity.
This list would not be complete without touching on Apple developed programming language, Swift. Apple boasts that the language is a “powerful and intuitive programming language for macOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS and beyond. Writing Swift code is interactive and fun, the syntax is concise yet expressive, and Swift includes modern features developers love. Swift code is safe by design, yet also produces software that runs lightning-fast.”
Swift was greatly influenced by both Python and Ruby and is designed to be extremely beginner-friendly and fun. In comparison to its’ predecessor, Objective-C, Swift is quicker, more secure, easier to read and debug, and requires much less code. If you are used to Java Script, Java, Python, C#, or C++, Swift’s semblance to natural English makes this language easy to transition to.
If you are wanting to get an edge up on fellow techies, you may want to jump on the Swift bandwagon. As compared to other source languages, there are very few developers with Swift knowledge. In fact, a recent survey of 78,000 respondents showed that a mere 8.1% use Swift, making this a very desirable platform if you are looking to distinguish your skillset.
Times are changing and being adaptable is key to succeeding within the tech world. The ever-increasing demand for software developers may place you in high demand but learning new languages is important, as this may be what sets you apart from others and gives you an edge up. Whether you are coding in Python or designing in Ruby, it is important to stay up on the trends to increase your efficiency and remain ahead of the evolving market.