The age of digitalization is upon us, and programming languages have become the new lingua franca of the 21st century. Learning to code is not merely a trendy hobby but an essential skill for the future, particularly for high school students on the cusp of their professional journey.

But with a myriad of programming languages available, the question arises, “Which one should I learn?” Here’s our 2023 list of the most in-demand and easy languages to help you navigate this decision.

If you are more interested in tech and other projects, We have one more article covering Practical guide to Tech Summer Projects For B.Tech and High School Students

---

1. Python: The Universal Language

Python remains one of the top choices, particularly for beginners, and there’s a good reason for this. Python’s syntax is clean, easy to understand, and closely mirrors the English language, making it an excellent introduction to programming principles. This language is needed for machine learning as well.

Python is also highly versatile, used in everything from web development to data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing.

Its broad utility and strong demand in the job market make Python an ideal first language for high school students.
Start learning python now on youtube with freecodecamp’s full 4 hour course.

2. JavaScript: The Web Maestro

If web development fascinates you, JavaScript should be your go-to language.

As the scripting language of the web, JavaScript enables you to create dynamic and interactive websites. With JavaScript and its various libraries and frameworks (like React.js and Node.js),

you can work on both front-end and back-end development, making you a full-stack developer. Also, with the increasing importance of web applications, JavaScript’s demand is continually rising.

Apna College has over 1M views on their channel if you want to learn JavaScript. But if you don’t prefer it we found this 12 hour course on javascript which covers like everything. You don’t have to binge watch it, take it slowly and steadily.

3. Java: The Enterprise Mainstay

Despite being over two decades old, Java remains a robust and popular choice. Its ‘Write Once, Run Anywhere’ principle makes it a highly portable language, capable of running on any device that has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Java is extensively used in large-scale enterprise applications, Android app development, and back-end web development.

Learning Java can open doors to a multitude of career paths.

Here’s link to a 12 hour video on youtube for learning java with over 6.8M views.

4. Swift: For the Apple Admirers

If you’re drawn towards Apple’s ecosystem and wish to develop iOS or macOS apps, Swift is the language to learn. Swift is Apple’s own programming language, designed to be more efficient and safer than its predecessor, Objective-C.

Swift’s increased adoption and the popularity of Apple’s devices ensure a continued demand for Swift developers.

5. Rust: For the System-Level Enthusiasts

Though not as beginner-friendly as Python or JavaScript, Rust has been gaining significant popularity. It’s a system-level language that ensures memory safety without a garbage collector.

If you’re interested in system programming or want to work on performance-critical applications, Rust might be an interesting choice.

6. Kotlin: The Android Favourite

Kotlin is a modern, statically typed programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), and it’s officially endorsed by Google for Android app development.

If you are specifically interested in Android development, Kotlin has several benefits over Java.

It has a more modern and expressive syntax, it’s safer in terms of null pointer exceptions, and it’s interoperable with Java, which means you can use all existing Java libraries and frameworks in Kotlin. Learning Kotlin also provides a good foundation for understanding other statically typed languages.

If you are more interested in tech and other projects, We have one more article covering Practical guide to Tech Summer Projects For B.Tech and High School Students.

7. PHP: The Web Classic

PHP is a server-side scripting language primarily used in web development for creating dynamic and interactive web pages. Despite the rise of languages like JavaScript and Python, PHP still powers a large portion of the web, including popular content management systems like WordPress.

PHP offers an easy entry point into server-side coding and web application development.

Understanding PHP is also beneficial if you’re interested in freelance web development work or if you plan to work with systems that are already built with PHP.

8. C++: The Performance Powerhouse

C++ is a powerful, high-performance programming language used to build system software, game engines, desktop apps, and web apps. It’s also frequently used in high-performance fields such as game development or high-frequency trading.

Learning C++ can be a bit more challenging due to its complex syntax and memory management, but it provides a deep understanding of how software interacts with hardware.

It also lays a solid foundation for learning other programming languages. Here’s how I learnt it: C++ freecodecamp on youtube.

9. Go: The Cloud Contender

Go, also known as Golang, is a statically typed compiled language developed by Google. It was designed to improve programming productivity in an era of multicore, networked machines, and large codebases. Go has seen increasing adoption in cloud computing, DevOps, and microservices due to its simplicity and efficiency.

If you’re interested in back-end development or cloud computing, learning Go could be a great move.

The best programming language for a high school student to learn in 2023 depends on individual interests, future career aspirations, and the degree of challenge one is ready to embrace. Python and JavaScript are great starting points due to their simplicity and broad applications. Java and Swift are worth considering if you’re interested in enterprise or mobile app development, respectively. Finally, if you’re up for a challenge and interested in system programming, Rust may be a compelling choice.

Remember, the first language is just the beginning of your coding journey. Once you’ve mastered one, you can expand your horizons and learn more languages, growing your skills and versatility as a programmer. The future is digital, and learning to code is the key to unlocking a world of possibilities. Happy coding!

If you are more interested in tech and other projects, We have one more article covering Practical guide to Tech Summer Projects For B.Tech and High School Students.

We even have an article covering A Simple Guide To Machine Learning For High Schoolers In India.