When it comes to choosing a programming language for your project, there are multiple options to consider, each with its own unique attributes. While there is not necessarily always a "correct" language to use in some cases, Sometimes, the project specifications may require a certain programming language, while in other cases there is not necessarily a “correct” language to choose.
However, there are multiple factors that can influence what languages will work well for your project, such as those with a bigger choice of libraries and tools, proven reliability, or a greater number of developers on the market.
The following languages are some of the most in-demand and commonly used on our projects for various reasons, such as their versatility or robustness, or simply due to client preference, sorted based on their popularity according to Stack Overflow’s 2022 Survey1:
JavaScript and TypeScript
JavaScript is a widely-used programming language for front-end and back-end development that is present in more than 95% of the over 1.8 million websites worldwide. Additionally, TypeScript is an frequently used programming language that builds on JavaScript and allows for better tooling at any scale.
According to Stack Overflow's survey, JavaScript has consistently been the most commonly used programming language for the past ten years, including in 2022. It is predicted that there will be a large number of JavaScript developers on the market in 2023, as many people know or are learning this popular language. Due to its versatility, JavaScript developers are in extremely high demand.
Python
Python is a popular programming language that has been used by many major tech companies. It is a versatile language that can be used for a variety of tasks, including web development, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. Python is known for its simplicity and has a large library of modules that make it useful in industries such as finance and web development. As a result, Python developers are in high demand.
Java
Java is a popular, general-purpose programming language that is widely used in businesses for building enterprise-level applications. It is known for its focus on security and is commonly used in industries such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. As a result, many well-known companies such as Airbnb, Google, Netflix, and Amazon use Java in their tech stacks. Java is highly in demand among businesses looking to build applications for their products and services, and Java developers are in high demand as a result.
C#
A top programming language for .NET development is C#. Being one of the most commonly used languages in the fintech industry, .NET is an excellent tool for creating enterprise-level applications, web and mobile applications, building data simulations, game development, and modeling. It is a robust general-purpose language growing in popularity, with a strong community and many use cases. An additional application of C# that is increasing in demand is web scraping with C#. Web scraping with C# is a powerful means of extracting and processing large amounts of data from websites, often used for market research, user feedback analysis, or data-driven decisions in business. Its capabilities in this field are making it an even more appealing choice for programmers in today's data-driven world.
.NET developers are highly sought after by companies worldwide.
PHP
PHP started as a language to write server-side scripts for websites and now has a variety of built-in features that make it useful for web server development. PHP was once very popular and was used to build a large percentage of websites on the internet, but it has become less popular in recent years.
GoLang
GoLang, also known as Go, is a programming language that is highly sought after by companies for its ability to build scalable and concurrent systems. It was ranked as the seventh most popular programming language in 2021 by the Stack Overflow developer community and has consistently been among the top ten in recent years.
Similar to Java and C#, Go is a statically typed, multi-paradigm, compiled, and general-purpose programming language. However, Go is best used as a programming language for working with infrastructure. Some of the most popular tools in this focus are written specifically in Go, including Kubernetes, Docker, and Prometheus.
Using Multiple Languages
There are several potential benefits to using multiple programming languages in a project.
The first is that different programming languages are often better suited for certain tasks, and using multiple languages can allow developers to choose the most appropriate language for a given task.
Using multiple languages can potentially lead to more efficient and effective development, and can also provide opportunities for developers to learn new skills and expand their knowledge.
Additionally, using multiple languages can provide flexibility in hiring developers, as it allows for a wider pool of potential candidates who may have expertise in different languages.
However, keep in mind that there are some potential drawbacks to using multiple languages. For example, using more languages means that there may be more to maintain, plus there may be instances where certain tools or libraries are incompatible with one or more of the languages.
Altogether, this makes it harder to achieve standardization across all applications in the project, which can be important for the smooth operation and maintenance of the project. It is also important to consider that multiple languages may increase the complexity of working on a project and requires the need for effective communication and coordination among team members.
Choosing a Programming Language
When Your Project Has Specific Requirements
In some cases, your project’s technical requirements will determine which language to proceed with. For example, if the project is AI/ML-based, then it may be a clear decision to use Python, or if you are building an iOS application, then Swift might be the most well-suited.
Business constraints may also dictate which language to use for your project. If your existing team already is proficient in a programming language, you will likely want to select the same language to save time on team catch-up or hiring of new developers. Similarly, if you are extending an existing system written in a programming language, it is advised to choose the same language, assuming it is considered relevant and modern.
If Your Project Doesn’t Have Specific Requirements
If you are developing your project from scratch, you’ll likely have flexibility in choosing a language since you may not have specific requirements you must follow. With many languages to choose from, we can help you narrow down which ones will work best for your project.
Often, there even may be multiple languages that will work equally as well to develop an application. For example, a backend application that can be developed with Java, .Net, or Node.js, or deciding between using JavaScript and TypeScript for web front-end development. When this is the case, we take into account the availability of developers available for the project.
Aspects to Consider in a Programming Language
Whether you're developing a new project from scratch or extending an existing system, we can help you select a language that suits the needs of your project. Following a discovery phase, we will analyze your context and technical & business requirements, and with consideration of your resources, we’ll propose the optimal technologies for your project.
Additional aspects to consider when deciding on a programming language:
Language-domain match: See what others in your field are doing to resolve a similar problem domain or by looking at some code that resolves issues you’re likely to have.
Maturity of the Language: If a language has a library that solves your domain problem, it might be worth it to put up with some flaws in the language. Additionally, more mature languages may have more reference material to draw on and more collaborators.
Efficiency: Efficient compilers or interpreters are what make languages “fast.” It can be important to review the interpreters or compilers for your language to make sure it is efficient.
Your Current Team: Consider the skills and expertise of the people you already have on your team who are available to work on the project.
Availability of Developers: It's important to consider the reliability and popularity of the language, as well as the availability of developers on the market who are familiar with it. Keep in mind that hiring may be easier and less costly for languages that are oversaturated with developers in comparison to lesser-used, outdated, or unpopular languages.
If you are seeking hard-to-hire programmers, Softjourn has skilled developers knowledgeable in .NET, Java, Javascript, C+, PHP, Python, and many other languages, who can help extend your team.
Project size: Are you looking to create a complex piece of software or something simple? At the end of the day, choose a language that you will have sufficient support with.
The Tools and Libraries Available: Consider the availability of tools and libraries for languages as they can greatly facilitate the development process and provide access to a wide range of functionality.
| Feature | C# | ||||
| Type System | Static | Dynamic | Static | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Object-Oriented | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Functional Programming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Platform Independence | Yes | No | Windows Only | Web | Web |
| Garbage Collection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Popular Frameworks | Spring, Hibernate | Django, Flask | React, Node.js | Laravel, Symfony | |
| Performance | High | Moderate | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Community | Large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
| Syntax Simplicity | Moderate | High | High | High | High |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Database Integration | JDBC | SQLAlchemy | ADO.NET | N/A | MySQLi, PDO |
| Web Development | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Development | Android SDK | Kivy | Xamarin | React Native | N/A |
| Scripting | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Let Us Help You Select the Best Tech Stack
Choosing a programming language for a project can be a complex decision, but it ultimately should come down to what will work best for your project. Factors such as the complexity of the project, the resources available, and the desired end result can all impact decisions regarding the tech stack that is best suited for your project.
With over 20 years of expertise and a deep understanding of the various programming languages available, we will provide you with personalized recommendations and guidance so you will be confident that you are using the best technologies for your project.
Additionally, we have talented developers who can expand your team, ensuring that your project will be supported, regardless of the tech stack it requires.
Let us help you make the most of your technology resources and reach your business goals. Don't hesitate to contact us today to learn more and schedule a free consultation.
