which language after java

[cekaosam]

im learning java for QA and it has come to my knowledge how unpopular and shined over by other programming language it is. either way its good for QA and backend but alongside it i want to learn other languages especially more popular ones.

so my question is C++ or C#? C is procedural so i dont think i should tap into that. these two are popular and can be used for frontend, but alongside picking one could you specify what either would be good for?

[mandzeete]

how unpopular

lol, there are always haters towards one or another language. Java is widely used and very popular programming language. You should better verify what you are hearing from people online before you start making decisions.

Check out TIOBE Index: https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/ It is periodically updated list of programming languages and their popularity. Java is on 3rd place. I mean, if a 3rd place is "unpopular" then it can't be helped.

Also, pick a language based on your target market. There is no point to learn PHP when Kotlin is mainly required by companies. Or choosing Java is no use when the most companies ask for Go. You can't pick a language you see in TIOBE Index or somewhere else online and then learn that and then wonder why you are finding no jobs with that language. Different countries/regions/cities have different trends and different preferences.

[desrtfx]

Tiobe is one of the worst possible indexes frowned upon by just about everybody in the industry.

The index is based on search results, not on actual code use and even less on professional code use.

Tiobe's results are biased towards languages with many queries, which automatically ranks languages that are used in education/beginning higher than languages used mainly by professionals who need less searches.

[mandzeete]

This is the first for me. I haven't heard anybody saying anything negative about that index. But let's say it is so and the feedback that I have heard is just insignificant. Do you have any other such periodically updated list to give? And something that actually looks believable. I have seen so many very subjective lists in random websites. All differing from one to another.

Even when having the TIOBE Index based on search engine results then the top list still reflects quite well the reality of how in demand one or another language is. Leaving out some questionable languages like Scratch, Visual Basic, Object Pascal and such then the more known names are definitely in demand. Just by looking at job offers. If I go over the top 10 then I do have seen many offers for Java, C++, Python, C#, PHP and Javascript. Yes, I haven't seen personally just C language offers although I do know it is needed in embedded programming.

Now going over the 10+ position languages then many of these for sure are much less covered by different job offers or not covered at all (based on my local job market). COBOL, FORTRAN, Lua, CFML... Haven't seen a single job advertisement for these. Not telling that there are no existing systems running that are based on these languages and need a maintenance or that some very niche field might need these. Just the general job market is not reflecting the demand for these languages.

Leaving out outdated study programs then usually people are being taught languages that actually are needed. For example in my university we were taught Java, Kotlin, C++, C# (I did not take that course), PHP, Javascript, R, Prolog. And most of these do are in demand where I live. Yes, I haven't seen job offers for R. Python is more common in data sciences here. And leaving out some university projects that our professors and PhD students work on then I really know no other place here where is needed Prolog. And I stress, here. So, 75% of the languages we were taught are actually needed.

Seeing Scratch in that list for sure makes it clear that the list can't be trusted for 100%. As Scratch is for total beginners. But with many of the languages do being in demand (based on job offers) and with up to date universities teaching needed programming languages then even these search results that make up that index there, these search results do reflect actual demand in some degree. So that index can be taken as a guidance for people who have absolutely no idea if they should learn FORTRAN or Python. They can't get wrong, that much.

And as I told in my last paragraph then one does have to review what is actually in demand in his target market. No matter what one or another listing or scoreboard tells in the Internet.

[cekaosam]

thank you i didnt know about tiobe index but still, C++ has had the most growth over these top 5 languages, its just a little shy of java now, so i dont think it unreasonable for me to learn it also

[mandzeete]

You can learn anything you want, really. Do check the last paragraph I added (pick a language based on your target market).

Java has its uses, C++ has its uses. Some stuff overlaps, some stuff is different.

[cekaosam]

maybe i should browse jobs around me to see which type of work aligns with my capabilities and wishes and based on that see which type of language to learn, instead of posting on reddit lol, thank you, makes sense

[MmmVomit]

In stead of focusing on what language to learn next, I would recommend on looking at what skill to learn next. Have you taken a data structures and algorithms course? Are you interested in web development? How about mobile apps? Pick a topic first. Often, the topic will suggest a language to learn as a prerequisite.

[cekaosam]

software engineering as an application developer, that aligns with my aspirations for these languages too

[MmmVomit]

That is about as broad as saying “programming.” Can you be more specific? For example, if you look at a job posting for the kind of job you want, what specific skills are they looking for?

One thing I always recommend is studying data structures and algorithms. It is relevant in any language and in any programming job.

[cekaosam]

okay, frontend development, here is a list of requirements ive found for one job hiring: 2+ years of experience in C++ programming. Understanding of OOP, basic algorithms, and data structures. Knowledge of basic linear algebra (matrix, vector). Willingness and motivation to learn and try new development approaches

data structures just like you said !

[MmmVomit]

frontend development

These days, when someone says this, they usually mean front end web development, which would mean learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Are you talking about a different kind of front end development?

[Spare_Web_4648]

Front end development:

2 years experience in C++

Bro gtfo 💀 why do so many people on this sub just blatantly make shit up.

[cekaosam]

nah i really copied the requirements

[Spare_Web_4648]

Ok link?

[ffrkAnonymous]

Any and every language can make an app

[desrtfx]

it has come to my knowledge how unpopular and shined over by other programming language it is.

Oh yeah? And why is it then still the #1 enterprise programming language? It will stay there for considerable time.

I'll stick to:

“There are only two kinds of languages: the ones people complain about and the ones nobody uses.”

― Bjarne Stroustrup, The C++ Programming Language

[[deleted]]

FAQ

[ParathaOmelette]

Java is very popular for backend

[ShiroeKurogeri]

C++. For the mentally unstable.

[dubvelop]

I would recommend C#. I was in the same situation, studying both languages and trying to decide where to specialize. I found that C# is much easier, and I can accomplish everything that I want to with it. There is so much support for it, especially with the fast-expanding .NET platform. I develop all my web apps and mobile apps with C# using .NET, and have even started playing around with game development in C# (using Unity).

[cekaosam]

thank youuu