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Whether you’re an entry-level programmer or a developer looking to enhance your resumé, you should be aware of the top programming languages for 2018.

Much of this list hasn’t changed over the years. Some of the staples of website coding – HTML, PHP, SQL, and JavaScript ­– haven’t changed in a decade.

But, if you want to get into more advanced web apps, then you’ll need to know more than HTML and JavaScript. Consider learning languages like Ruby and its popular web-application framework Ruby on Rails.

One of the most popular programming languages, Java, has been left off this list on purpose. It’s still critical for Android applications, but not necessarily the go-to for web development.

While the classics are important to know, adding up-and-coming languages to your skillset might provide more job opportunities and a return on your training investment.

15 Top Programming Languages to Learn for 2018

Here, then, in no particular order, are programming languages you might consider learning for the first time or diving deeper into:

1. Haskell

Haskell is obscure and not necessarily the most practical language to learn. And, it’s hard. But, it will make you a better programmer overall, and there are more Haskell jobs than developers right now.

2. Q#

You may already know C#, the language for Microsoft development. Well, take a quantum leap and learn Q# (pronounced q-sharp), designed to create quantum computing applications.

3. Go

Go is Google’s open source coding language.

4. C / C++

C and C++ are usually listed separately, but since C++ is really an advanced version of C, if you learn C++ you’ll have a pretty good handle on C. C++ is, in a nutshell, an object-oriented version of C. Both have been around a long time and are programming staples.

5. PHP

PHP is the basis of WordPress and many content management systems.

6. Python

Easy to learn and quite popular, Python can be used for any number of online applications and programs. It is commonly used by data scientists to go through large sets of data.

7. Ruby

Ruby is another easy language that has become quite popular for web development.

8. JavaScript

JavaScript is not so much a resume-builder as something you will simply need to understand if you do anything with websites. There are many popular JS frameworks to build user interfaces and interactivity for your website.

9. SQL

Technically not a programming language, SQL is the “structured query language” used by databases like Oracle and MySQL. You are able to quickly query and pull meaningful data from complex data sets.

10. Swift

If you want an easy way to develop apps for iOS, Swift is the language to learn. Swift makes it easier for anyone with an Apple computer to create an app for iOS or macOS.

11. Objective-C

Before Swift, there was Objective-C. This is a key language to learn if you are an Apple-head looking to create an app for iOS.

12. Perl

Perl is a great old-school interpretive language that is very helpful to know if you do anything with Linux servers. This is a complex language used by IT professionals for cybersecurity.

13. Visual Basic

Visual Basic has also been around for a while, but it is a great graphical language to know if you want to do stuff with Microsoft’s .NET platform. You can use this to automate and streamline your tasks in Office apps like Excel.

14. R

If you are interested in business intelligence, artificial intelligence, statistical analysis and big data, R is the language you absolutely must know.

15. Rust

A fast systems-level language preferred by hardcore developers.

Learn Top Programming Languages

There you have it ­–  15 of the top programming languages to know in 2018 and beyond! Start learning now and you’ll have an excellent advantage in your career, no matter where you want to go.

Are you looking to enhance your coding skills and knowledge base? Contact us or view the classes we offer. The majority of these new technologies are not listed on Centriq’s website, but training classes can be sourced through our Partner Network, so don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.