6 Programming Languages You Should Not Learn (and What To Learn Instead)
Often, learning a new programming language is a thrilling adventure. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned programmer, you should always make the best option regarding what you study.
Often, learning something new requires time investment. Not only your time, but also your energy and your self. Alternatively, compromises must be made.
In this situation, you must conduct study and be deliberate about what you wish to learn. Here are six programming languages that you should not learn. I shall explain each case's rationale.
1. Objective-C
As the world evolves, so too does programming. Huge technology businesses invest heavily in the development of programming languages.
This is achieved by analysing the shortcomings of existing languages and developing new, more effective ones.
Objective-C is fundamental to this progress. It was the default language on both IOS and macOS. Apple saw its flaws and sought to produce a similar but vastly superior product for the future. In this manner, quick was born.
Swift was created and presented at the 2014 WWDC. It is modelled after Objective-C, which makes it superior. Since its inception, it has gained greater popularity than Objective-C.
Apple has designated Swift as the prefered programming language for IOS. They are promoting it while gradually maligning Objective-C.
What to learn instead—Swift
Instead of learning Objective-C, a language that is slowly being defamed. You are much better with Swift. Apple plan on making Swift the primary language in all their products.
Below is an image showing the advantages of Swift over Objective-C.
2. Java
According to TIOBE rankings as of January 2022, Java ranks as the third most popular language.
Does being third influence your decision to learn a new programming language? Most would agree that third place in such rankings is not something to disregard.
But let's take a more critical approach. Several years ago, the answer would have been yes, but as of 2022, the honest answer is no. Java is now an elderly lady. Let's give the contemporary divas a chance, notwithstanding how sweet it is. They merit it.
Java's disadvantages have long been recognised. Newer programming languages have addressed these issues and are significantly more effective.
The most popular operating system in the world, Android, had Java applications. However, Google is abandoning Java for Kotlin. Kotlin was announced as the ideal language for developing Android applications in 2019.
What to learn instead—Kotlin or Scala
The 2019 declaration of Kotlin as the prefered language for Android applications is no small feat. This indicates that the creators have ambitious ambitions for the future of the language.
You desire to study a language whose popularity will continue to rise in the future. not the opposite way around
3. HTML and CSS
HTML and CSS are prominent programming languages. Most new programmers enter these languages blindly. This Stack Overflow screenshot illustrates the popularity of these two languages.
They lag behind Javascript. These languages, unlike Javascript, are only frontend.
Does ranking second imply that these languages should be learned? Definitely Not.
The majority of novice programmers choose these languages as their first languages to learn, resulting in wasted time. This is because they devote enormous amounts of time and effort on them.
The most important consideration when selecting a programming language to learn is how the language will be utilised. Use refers to what you intend to do with the language or your goals after mastering it.
Both HTML and CSS are front-end programming languages. Going in-depth and investing a great deal of time on them does not provide the greatest return on investment.
This time may be spent learning a language that will serve you far better in terms of web development. A language whose syntax is also applicable to the backend. A language that merits in-depth study and may efficiently serve the intended goal and provide additional benefits.
What to learn instead—Javascript
Below is a screenshot showing what popular websites use in their front end. Javascript is convincingly the dominant force or giant when it comes to the frontend.
Going in-depth with HTML and CSS is less likely to aid a beginner or novice than going directly to Javascript.
Familiarity with the language will also permit research of the language's backend.
Learning HTML and CSS fundamentals is beneficial. Programmers are likely to gain from it. The pursuit of proficiency in some languages is simply not worthwhile. You are considerably more proficient in Javascript.
4. PHP
When they consider the backend, most new devs rush to learn PHP. Along with HTML and CSS, it has become popular for constructing websites with a backend.
PHP is a server-side or backend language. It is a suitable contender for learning server-side languages because it has a lower entrance barrier than languages such as Java.
PHP has known disadvantages. Scaling is possible in all programming languages, however PHP requires more effort to scale. This is because the type is dynamic. The behaviour of the same piece of code may vary based on the circumstance.
In addition, it lacks the advantages of contemporary server-side programming languages. Another disadvantage is that it is not ideal for desktop and mobile application development.
Modern server-side programming languages have eliminated these limitations and offer additional advantages as well. Mark Zuckerberg utilised PHP in 2004 to create Facebook, when the language was still in its infancy. No longer are we in 2004. We should examine other contemporary languages in order to develop more advanced systems.
What to learn instead — Python, Javascript, or Go
PHP is not terrible, but it is not a future language. You will fare much better with a contemporary language. It makes things more challenging and can complicate an undertaking.
As a developer, you want the most leverage and efficiency possible. Otherwise, you may spend the majority of your time fixing bottlenecks that would be automatically resolved with a current language.
Spending time studying PHP will not provide the greatest return on investment. It is a backend language exclusively. Spending your time on a more current language that can be used for purposes other than the backend is likely to be more beneficial.
5. C
From the TIOBE index, C ranks as the second most popular language as of January 2022. It is second to python.
But does the popularity mean it is any good for the future to come? For scientific and production reasons, maybe yes. But let’s dig a little deeper.
In May 2020, it shot to the number one spot surpassing Python. Below is the image.
Being popular now doesn’t mean it will be popular in the future. It is extremely difficult to rule it out. At the same time, it carries major drawbacks that have been addressed by modern languages.
What to learn instead—Rust or Ruby
As a result of the constant evolution of hardware, the presence of C cannot be firmly established. I am aware that it is the mother of many languages, but I believe we will eventually abandon it.
C++ doesn't fix its difficulties It adds only extensions. This results in unneeded expenses. Tesla picked C over C++ as their operating system language.
C vs Rust is fairly disputed. Rust is a modern language that was developed to eliminate the bottlenecks of C/C++ and, if optimised, to be just as fast. It also has libraries, making it more versatile and user-friendly.
Ruby is a modern language as well. In a start-up setting, speed is much more important than elsewhere. Ruby is a viable alternative if you want to progress more quickly.
6. C++
On the TIOBE index, C++ ranks as the fourth most popular programming language.
Good rankings should not lead anyone to adopt a language without careful consideration.
In contrast to C, which is utilised in small devices, medical devices, and home things. C++ is predominantly used for GUI-based application development. Included in this category are desktop apps, web browsers, games, etc.
This makes it easier to eliminate C++, as there are superior current languages that can perform the task with greater ease and efficiency.
What to use instead—Rust or Ruby
Mozilla created Rust for their desktop applications as they grew tired with C++'s drawbacks.
They developed a language that allowed them to design desktop programmes without encountering any issues.
Since its inception, Rust's popularity and adoption among programmers have continuously increased. It overcomes the shortcomings of C++ and is a modern programming language. C++ vs. Rust is likewise disputed, although Rust has the upper hand when it comes to the individual language and future projections.
Additionally, learning Rust or Ruby will set you apart. Both are low-competition languages that command the greatest wages. Ruby is the highest-paying programming language according to codingNomads. This information comes from Indeed and Glassdoor averages.
According to The Next Web and Tech Gig, on the other side, Rust is the highest-paying programming language. This investigation was conducted by O'Reilly, a technological training institute. Rust engineers earned the highest average income of any programming language.