Are you planning to take up coding for mobile and/or web apps as a profession? If yes, you need to be proficient in the following languages.
Coding expertise is something any aspiring mobile app development expert must possess. Even experienced developers need to constantly update themselves about new programming techniques and languages. The world of technology is dynamic, and if your coding skills are not up to scratch – your apps will remain buggy at best (that is, if you even manage to complete creating them). Over here, we have listed some of the programing languages that any good app developer should be comfortable working in:
- JavaScript – If you are creating apps that have web-based animated functions with interactive features, JavaScript is the language you need to have a proper hang of. Cross-browser compatibility is one of the biggest advantages of this Netscape-developed language. Professionals who are familiar with C-syntaxes generally find it easier to learn up JavaScript. Most Android app developers regularly use JavaScript in their program codes.
- Objective C – The go-to language for any iOS application development company in the world. Objective C allows coders to work in an environment that closely resembles the actual Apple ecosystem, which makes creation of native functions easier. It also comes in handy for making apps that would properly run on different devices (say, iPod Touch or iPad). On the flipside, Objective C can seem to be a trifle complicated for beginners. Unavailability of support on other operating systems is another issue.
- PHP – This one is primarily for web programmers. PHP facilitates the creation of dynamic, responsive websites – and is easily one of the simplest server-side programming languages to get a hang of. All that developers need to do is embed the code snippets in their HTML files. PHP is open-source, enabling users to tweak the modules and code lines according to their requirements.
- Python – Another relatively easy server-side language, that is useful for making web apps as well as mobile applications. Python is used in the web apps of Pinterest and Rdio, and has reportedly been used by Google and NASA executives too. The best thing about this language is its minimal and compact nature – ensuring that people only have to write a few lines of code (generally, lesser than in most other languages) for a particular function. Python offers high-end readability as well.
- C++ – C++ was initially developed as an improvement over the original C-language, and it currently enjoys widespread popularity – particularity due to the wide range of functions that it allows coders to perform. Right from apps and software system frameworks, to games – C++ can be used for almost every programming need. Both client and server-side applications can be created with this intermediate-level coding method. The object-oriented structure lends extra reliability and debugging options.
- Perl – Programmers and app developers often need to prepare reports from text file inputs, and Perl is often the program of choice for such requirements. Perl is not a ‘compiled’ language (instead, it is ‘interpreted’), and hence, it offers a speed-advantage over C. System programmers, in particular, should ideally be fluent in Perl. The programs that are created using this language are called Perl Scripts.
- Java – Developed in the ‘90s by Sun Microsystems, Java has retained its popularity as a preferred language for making Android apps, enterprise software and other web applications. The fact that Java can be seamlessly transported from Windows to Mac systems (and vice versa) contributes significantly towards its widespread acceptance among developers. It is an object-oriented language, and it efficiently handles data and objects embedded in codes. For newbies, it is advisable to start learning Java simultaneously with C-based languages – since there are several common features between the two.
- Ruby – Ruby is used by many techies for making dynamic and interactive smartphone applications, as well as for developing high-speed websites. It is also object-oriented, and is not at all complicated either. The Ruby for Rails framework is supported by this language, and it powers popular channels like Scribd and Shopify. On many occasions, Ruby is used to simply save time.
- C# – Are you interested in developing apps for the Windows Phone platform? If yes, you need to be an expert in C-Sharp. Since it is mostly based on other basic C languages, learning it should not take much time. It also has certain similarities with Java, making it even simpler for new programmers. For any .NET based coding, C# is easily the best programming language.
- SQL – Professionals from app development companies should be familiar with Structured Query Language, for addressing their relational database management systems (RDBMS) in an efficient manner. SQL is one of the oldest programming techniques for queries (it was standardised in the ‘80s, by ANSI and ISO). The language is particularly useful for managing informational databases.
- Swift – Apple’s new programming language (released at this year’s Worldwide Developers’ Conference) is making waves at present – thanks to its impressive set of features, speed and cool previews. Contrary to what many initially believed, Swift is NOT a substitute for Objective C. Instead, the two are meant to be used in collaboration with each other. Swift can also be seamlessly used with Cocoa and Cocoa Touch. Every iPhone app developer should start learning this language, if they have not done so already.
In addition to the above, those involved in app development should be able to use the Phonegap library as well. It allows programmers to create native codes for the different platforms with ease – and makes the task of deployment simple too. Appcelerator is yet another code library that is fast gaining in popularity. There is no dearth of programmers, and if you wish to stand out from the rest – in-depth awareness of as many of the above languages as possible is of essence.
How many of these do you know already?
Hussain Fakhruddin
CEO at Teknowledge Software
Hussain Fakhruddin is the founder/CEO of Teknowledge mobile apps company. He heads a large team of app developers, and has overseen the creation of nearly 600 applications. Apart from app development, his interests include reading, traveling and online blogging.
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