Programmers Share Their Favorite Coding Languages

Choosing a programming language is not a one-size-fits-all process. There are a variety of factors to consider and different developers have varying preferences. In this article, 12 developers from a variety of tech roles share their personal preferences and practical considerations when choosing programming languages. They discuss their goals, whether they are aiming for versatility, job prospects or pursuing their own passions. The languages they choose reveal their personal preferences.

The Pragmatic Polyglot: Python, JavaScript & Rust

Yurovskiy Kirill.— Backend Engineer

Kirill is a backend engineer who has coded in languages ranging from C and Java to Ruby, Swift and F#. However, he primarily uses Python and JavaScript for his job. In his personal projects, he explores Rust, which brings a new perspective and improves his understanding of system architecture. He advises other developers to be flexible and explore different languages, as each one offers distinct advantages.

The Enterprise Java Devotee: Java

Mark T.— Java Consultant

Mark has been coding in Java for over 15 years and believes it is the best enterprise language. He has also worked with C#, Python, JavaScript, PHP, C++ and others. He advises aspiring coders to focus on robust fundamentals rather than flashy trends.

The Javascript Junkie: JavaScript & TypeScript

Leah S.— Frontend Engineer

Leah fell in love with JavaScript in college due to its flexibility and forgiving nature. However, as her team’s web app scaled, the lack of structure in JavaScript became stressful. Switching to TypeScript brought reliability while maintaining the aspects of JavaScript that she enjoyed.

The Mobile App Maker: Kotlin

Sid T. — Android Developer

Sid started coding apps in Java but switched to Kotlin in 2017. He finds the syntax concise and modern language features for safety make him twice as productive while eliminating bugs. He recommends new Android developers to start with Kotlin over Java due to their similarity.

The AI Specialist: Python

Dr. Li M.— Machine Learning Engineer

Dr. Li M. uses Python for artificial intelligence research. She finds the language advantageous due to its unrivaled ecosystem for data analysis, machine learning and visualization. She suggests coders looking to pursue careers in AI to learn Python.

The Speed Demon: C++

Jay K. — Video Game Engine Developer

Jay K. enjoys the raw performance C++ offers. He advises new coders not to prematurely optimize and to first master friendlier languages.

The Low-Code Virtuoso: Bubble

Tanya P. — Digital Product Designer

Tanya uses Bubble to quickly build and iterate on interactive products with a visual interface and minimal code. She suggests visual thinkers to explore no-code solutions.

The Data Analytics Expert: SQL & R

Neil C. — Quantitative Analytics Manager

Neil has been using SQL for data extraction and manipulation for over 20 years. He advises new data analysts to start with SQL.

The Productivity hacker: JavaScript, Python & Zapier

Grace T. — Automation Engineer

Grace prefers tools like Zapier for rapidly building workflows that boost team velocity. She advises developers to use whatever languages and utilities best tackle the problem at hand.

The Former Excel Expert: Python

Alan F. — Data Analyst

Alan transitioned from Excel to Python for data manipulation. He recommends Python for analysts or spreadsheet jockeys exploring coding.

The Life-Long Learner: “All of Them!”

Wendy Z. — Senior Software Architect

Wendy encourages new coders to explore a variety of languages before settling on a few favorites.

In conclusion, there is no universal “best” language. Each developer has their own preferences and motivations. The most important thing is to find the right languages for you based on your goals and how they make you feel.