The Easiest and Hardest Programming Languages to Learn
The Easiest and Hardest Programming Languages to Learn
Computer systems depend entirely on human beings to train them to make decisions. Everything a computer does, is somewhere, sometime, instructed by a human being. As computers do not understand the languages human beings speak, to instruct the computer systems about the tasks to perform, computer-friendly languages are used, which are called programming languages.
Computers only understand the language of 0 and 1, but programming in binary numbers is a tedious task and prone to frequent mistakes; hence with time, high-level languages have been developed which consist of English language words to help human beings program the computer systems easily and perform the required tasks. Moreover, different languages are used behind other technologies one sees today, like Software, Websites, Applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, Machine Learning (ML) processes, Natural Language Processing (NLP) conversational systems, and more.
Here is an elaborative discussion of the most complex and accessible programming languages.
Things to know before starting to learn any programming language
Before learning any computer programming language is that any programming language, no matter how easy or hard, requires time and effort to learn. Therefore, it is essential to research thoroughly and choose a programming language aligned with the career path one is determined to establish.
Market value and functionality have nothing to do with how complex or straightforward the programming language is. The ultimate choice must be made, keeping the usefulness of the language in mind. A good thing about computer programming languages is that basic concepts like using conditional and iterative statements to make logical decisions are similar.
Easiest Programming Languages to Learn
1. HTML
HTML is short for Hypertext Markup Language. There has been a lot of discussion on HTML language being a complete programming language mainly because technically, it is not a functionality-based language but a Markup Language. This means that HTML cannot create functions and perform typical programming tasks as it does not support the usage of iterative, conditional statements or even simple mathematical operations like all the other programming languages. However, HTML is a fundamental language structure for web pages and content. It uses several tags and labels to define the web page content, and with the help of specific tags, it helps make websites accessible and SEO optimized. Despite being necessary for the web development industry, HTML is a straightforward programming language to learn. Therefore, it is recommended for fresh learners to get their hands on HTML first while stepping into the programming world and growing their skills onwards.
Who uses HTML?
HTML is essential for everyone who works on website development and design as it creates all the web pages on the internet. Front-end website development and Full-stack development are the central departments to use HTML as a base language. Furthermore, HTML gives the most control over customization to maintain and fine-tune the web pages.
What makes HTML an easy-to-learn language?
HTML is one of the easiest programming languages. Its simple and symmetric code syntax makes it easy to learn. Numerous free courses readily available on the internet teach HTML in just a few hours. HTML tags adhere to consistent rules, making learning new commands and functions simple. HTML is a structuring language; it does not add any functionality but enables the developers to create a comprehensive blueprint of the website.
2. JavaScript
JavaScript, as the name suggests, is used for scripting. It is used not alone but with the combination of HTML and CSS to add functionality to the webpages and make UI and UX more appealing. This is done by making the pages interactive. Clients can see a specific change on each element while he hovers, clicks, scrolls, or types something. The interactive features may be a change in color, font, shadow effect, or carrying out some logical functionality with pre-defined inputs. The fact that JavaScript is commonly used to transform HTML elements or provide UI functionality does not imply that these are its only capabilities.
JavaScript can perform more assertive operations, including data analysis, search algorithm implementation, or solving complex mathematical equations. JavaScript is not only a client-side scripting language. The project environments like Node.js unlock server-side development capabilities for developers with JavaScript. JavaScript can be used outside a web browser and on the back end. This enables web applications to run from the screen to the server using a single programming language.
Who uses JavaScript?
To enable interactive features on web pages, web developers and full-stack developers should learn JavaScript to implement input-based logical operations. As discussed earlier, JavaScript is equally valuable for clients and server-side functionality; frontend and backend developers can make the most of it.
What makes JavaScript an easy-to-learn language?
JavaScript is another straightforward language for fresh programming learners yet beneficial. It is a high-level, interpreted language that can be readily integrated with other programming languages such as HTML. Writing complex codes in JavaScript and simultaneously running them while proceeding as part of the process is easy. It is designed for non-programmers and is user-friendly for people who want to learn. It's an excellent beginner's programming language.
3. Python
Python is considered one of the popular object-oriented programming languages due to its less complicated and relieving code syntax. The primary purpose of introducing Python was to make it highly readable using indentation and less complex by removing unnecessary parathesis. In addition, it contains many commands based on English language words. Python supports more than one programming paradigm, including Object Oriented Programming (OOP), which focuses on objects/datasets, and Functional Programming, which focuses on using functions.
Who uses Python?
Most AI specialists, Web developers, and data scientists use Python due to its less complex syntax and flexible functionality. However, data scientists are more concerned with their research and hence require a programming language that demands less time and effort but still works fine for their systems.
What makes Python an easy-to-learn language?
The usage of English language words makes it extremely easy to learn given that it has numerous libraries for versatile applications and supports multi-paradigm. In Python, the most straightforward code is considered the most efficient one.
4. Java
Java has become one of the most popular, powerful, diverse, and easy-to-learn programming languages. Numerous online resources help a beginner-level programmer learn Java, like Java Bootcamps. In addition, Java is many developers' initial introduction to Object-Oriented design ideas.
Python is a popular general-purpose programming language. Although Java is an old language, it remains relevant and popular to date due to its regular updating. As a result, Java programs are robust, and one program created on one platform is guaranteed to run smoothly on another platform with almost similar efficiency. In addition, Java is adaptable enough to be utilized on any electronic device, not just computers, and mobile phones.
Who uses Java?
As discussed previously, Java is a general-purpose language; hence more programmers can use it for larger applications. Moreover, on the server side, it supports complete backend services, like Android and big data processing.
What makes Java an easy-to-learn language?
The easiest languages to learn are those with a larger community of developers to support each other and grow, and Java is one of those languages. It has a straightforward syntax that is close to the English language.
5. Ruby
Ruby is a programming language centered on convenience of use and productivity. Ruby is simple to use, and its syntax is similar to Python's. In contrast to several other languages, Ruby may be used for various programming paradigms, including object-oriented, functional, and procedural programming. Compared to Python, which offers a no-brainer, straightforward answer to every problem, Ruby enables various techniques that yield identical results. The Ruby on Rails framework simplifies the use of Ruby to construct and deliver web applications to users. One of the reasons Ruby makes the list of the easiest programming languages is its solid and welcoming community.
Who uses Ruby?
Ruby and Python attract the attention of people of similar skillset like web developers and AI professionals. In addition, Ruby is used in data processing operations, automation tools, and web scraping.
What makes Ruby an easy-to-learn language?
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One of the language's key attractions is its straightforward syntax, which many Ruby programmers feel to be the closest to simple English coding. Ruby programming language adheres to the "less is more" philosophy. Despite its simple syntax, Ruby is powerful enough to be employed in many paradigms and operations. Ruby has a prominent and supportive developer community all over the world.
Hardest Programming Languages to Learn
1. C++
C++ is considered one of the most powerful, fastest, and most challenging programming languages.
It can be used for various purposes and carries out the same efficient and robust programs. With C++, programmers can efficiently work on different programming styles. It gives beginners a deep understanding of how computer systems respond to programming language instructions. C++ provides flexibility and robustness, making it popular among developers. C++ is adopted by programmers when the requirement is to create reliable, efficient, and high-performing systems.
Who uses C++?
The effective use of C++ at present is game development. Statistics show that C++ is still a popular programming language among game developers. Additionally, developers readily use it due to its versatility, especially those with a substantial understanding of computer programming.
What makes C++ a hard-to-learn language?
For beginners, learning C++ is challenging because of its advanced-level syntax and multiple paradigm support. Simply put, it may or may not perform intuitively. In some instances, it can yield the result required, but in some cases, the developer may face several errors/bugs, and to rectify those bugs, a sufficient amount of experience and understanding is required. Hence, it takes a long time to learn C++ and even longer to master it.
2. Haskell
The language is named after a mathematician and is usually described as one of the most complicated programming languages to learn. It is an entirely functional language built on lambda calculus. Haskell supports shorter code lines with ultimate code reusability, making the code understand better. Although it is easier to detect errors, rectifying the bugs is a tedious task in Haskell.
Who uses Haskell?
Haskell is the primary technology that allows the development of high-quality software. The most significant factors for judging software quality are correctness, performance, and maintainability.
Haskell makes writing code that excels in all these areas much more accessible.
What makes Haskell a hard-to-learn language?
Everything that contributes to the robustness and performance of Haskell is the same reason that makes it a hard-to-learn language. The utterly functional paradigm, abstractness, purity, usage of technical language, etc., make Haskell one of the most challenging programming languages for developers.
3. LISP
LISP, short for LISt Programming, was developed in the year 1959. Despite being one of the oldest programming languages, LISP has not lost its charm and is surprisingly still used by many programmers working on high-level AI applications. Studies reveal that when a similar code is written in C, C++, Java, and LISP, the LISP programs are relatively more minor and run within the least amount of time. This is because LISP was initially designed to manipulate data strings seamlessly and is used for the most logical AI applications in the present.
Who uses LISP?
LISP is used mainly by Artificial Intelligence professionals for high-level applications due to its performance and speed.
What makes LISP a hard-to-learn language?
Investing time in LISP only makes sense if the person intends to use it for a specific domain, i.e., AI. What makes learning harder is its fragmented syntax and excessive use of parentheses, which can be hard to adjust for some people.
4. Prolog
AI applications, Computational Linguistics, or NLPs, are where one can see the most use of Prolog. It is the first-ever programming language in which any automated customer care bot was developed, named ELIZA.
Who uses Prolog?
Prolog is still used by AI and NLP professionals in academics and the industry. However, to be able to use Prolog correctly, the programmer must be an expert in the language and data science and well informed about the expected outcome of the program, i.e., Predicate.
What makes Prolog a hard-to-learn language?
Prolog code cannot be easily used with copy-paste method; the developer might probably face some compiling errors if he/she is not well-versed with the language beforehand. This grows the need for a tutor or an expert around at all times to learn the language and guide whenever an error occurs. Moreover, it requires expert developers to write code because the developers need to know the logical output before running the code.
5. Malbolge
Malbolge is by far the most complex programming language to learn, which can be concluded from the fact that it took no less than two years to finish writing the first Malbolge code. In addition, the code readability is ridiculously low.
Who uses Malbolge?
Malbolge is not preferred in the software industry as it is nearly useless. It can only be used and learned as a challenge but no real-world use.
What makes Malbolge a hard-to-learn language?
Things that make the code useless are obscure notation throughout the code syntax and the self-modifying nature, which does not give the required results.
Conclusion
Programming language learning can be intimidating; therefore, starting with the easiest and then growing into the domain that supports one's career path is recommended. To begin with, it is always better for programming languages with a vast community of developers and vital support programs to enable a seamless learning experience.
Most software developers prefer learning a set of programming languages rather than a single one. This enables the developers to handle projects single-handedly and adds to their market value.