The Top 5 Programming Languages

1. Java

Over two decades old, Java is still a dominant language. Java is the underlying platform for all Android apps, accounting for much of its modern popularity. Java is reportedly used by 90% of the Fortune 500. However, it appears Java may be experiencing a decline in demand in 2018 as the number of job postings for Java has decreased from 2017.

2. Python

The popularity of Python has been growing rapidly over the last five years. It’s most significant portion of growth comes from an increase in the number of Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects that include data mining and other scientific computing applications that utilize Python.

3. JavaScript

One of the older languages, JavaScript is still a favorite. Currently, over 80% of developers use JavaScript. Furthermore, 95% of websites utilize it as well. Due to its popularity in website development, this language is critical for web developers.

4. C++

C++ is a general-purpose language used by many large companies, especially with enterprise software. A highly versatile language, C++ powers both Google Chrome and Microsoft Windows as well as the backend of Amazon.com.

5. C#

C# is designed to run on the Microsoft. NET platform so, it is behind many web-based enterprise software platforms. It’s also widely used by game developers and has applications in mobile environments as well.

Programming Languages of Honorable Mention

While not in the top five, languages such as Swift, R, and PHP are also highly relevant and have their place in the programming language ecosystem.

Swift

Swift was developed by Apple in 2014 to run on their iOS-based devices. It is open source, user-friendly, and easy to learn. Considering the worldwide popularity of Apple products, it can be a valuable skill if you’re looking to expand your horizons.

R

An open source programming language, R is primarily used in data science and machine learning. R is widely used, including by companies like Facebook, Google, Trulia, and the National Weather Service.

PHP

The oldest language on the list, PHP is still widely used in server-side scripting for websites. It also forms the basis of many custom created languages such as ‘Hack’ from Facebook.

Planning Ahead

When considering expanding your programming skill set, it’s important to know which languages are used in your practice area. Additionally, it is helpful to know which languages are most in demand. When in doubt, it’s best to consult a professional recruiter who can provide you with advice and guidance on where to focus your efforts.

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With this in mind, Computerworld surveyed IT professionals who planned on adding to their headcounts in 2017 and these were the top 6 skills they were looking for among prospective new hires.

1. Programming

Languages and fluency are key here. As much as knowing multiple languages is great, it’s best to have a quality over quantity approach.

2. Help Desk/ Tech Support

Companies will always need tech support. Time is money and humans are error-prone; as a result, tech support personnel are critical to any organization. In particular, candidates who are familiar with multiple types of hardware and software are highly sought after.

3. Security/Compliance/Governance

It’s all about security these days!  In this area, skills can be proven by holding highly sought-after certifications such as the CISSP or CISM.

4. Cloud/SaaS

Cloud has taken over the world by storm. Owning and maintaining racks of hardware is expensive and time-consuming. As a result, companies are shifting the responsibility of services to off-network providers. For this reason, there is now a wide array of technologies in the cloud category such as Office 365, AWS, and Azure. Experience in even one cloud technology can give a candidate an edge.

5. Business Intelligence/Analytics

Data, data, data! Business is driven by data, and it’s this data that allows trends and buying patterns to be discovered. Thus, potential employees must have the skills to mine, analyze and, understand data and turn it into results.

6. Web Development

As more and more services are moving to the web/SaaS model, the need for skilled web developers with experience across the entire stack is great. Additionally, given the pace of change today, experience with DevOps and Agile development methodologies is a huge plus!

Making a Skills Assessment

Before embarking on a new job search, a candidate should do a self-inventory and determine their strengths and weaknesses. With an inventory in hand and the list of top sought-after skills above, they should come up with a plan to enhance and enrich their skill set. Skillset improvement can come in the form of classes, certifications, or even self-study.

Conclusion

When in doubt about the best approach to make you and your skill set more marketable, it’s best to consult a professional recruiter to get the best advice for your development.  They will be able to assess your resume and experience and guide you in the best ways to make sure your skills are serving you and your job search. Contact Open Systems Inc today!

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