Best programming languages to learn for long-term career growth?

Since most of the discussions on this topic seem pretty dated (at least the ones I managed to dig up), I wanted to throw this out there. I’m 36, and I recently set up my own small business here in the States—it’s an IT-related service, though not programming. My goal is to learn how to code on the side. I want to pick up a skill that actually has staying power and will be in demand, but honestly, I have no clue where to begin. My current coding knowledge is basically zero. I mean, sure, I messed around with some simple stuff in BASIC and later Visual Basic back in grade school, so I think I still grasp the basic logic, but let’s just assume I’m starting from square one.

The sheer amount of tools and languages available today is overwhelming, and I’m feeling pretty lost. Should I be teaching myself using online resources like Udemy, SmartNinja, or something else? Does anyone have actual recommendations on what to study first and how to kick things off? Educationally, I only have my high school diploma. I definitely have the drive, I just need some guidance to get moving.🙂

I hope this doesn't come off as too aggressive because I mean well here, truly 🙂 You probably need to start by looking at which programming domains actually interest you from a high-level perspective, like in this thread - https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-s...re-engineering. Each sub-domain mentioned in that link comes with its own specific architectures, paradigms, and the particular programming languages that actually make sense for that type of work.

Then there’s this—and I’m not trying to lecture you, but—mastering English is absolutely vital, and without it, you’re basically dead in the water in the American IT industry. The resources available in American are microscopic compared to the absolute wealth of information you find in English. Honestly, why even ask a question like this on an American forum when you could just type "programming languages with the greatest prospects and longevity in 2022" into Google?

Everyone is going to have their own version of the truth based on their own lived experience. If I were starting from scratch right now and had to pick just one single programming language, it would most likely be Java.
My arguments for it:
- It’s been around for 25 years already, and there’s no sign of it ever dying out.
- It serves as the primary language for native applications in Android, that operating system supported by Google that was running on about 130 million devices back in 2022.
- It’s utilized across 13 billion different devices as of 2022.
- Java is a textbook example of a well-designed language, boasting what is arguably the best implementation of OOP in the entire programming world.
- The syntax is so similar to C++ that anyone who gets a handle on Java won't struggle much when transitioning to C or C++ (or even Microsoft C#).
- You can often port a Java application to a different platform without changing a thing, like moving it from Windows to Linux.
- Web back-end programming. When people want to whip something up quickly on their own, they tend to lean toward PHP or Node.js, but when you have a massive team building a critical enterprise financial application, I suspect they’d opt for Java every single time.

Thomas Sanchez2 said:The sheer volume of software tools available today is overwhelming, and I am honestly struggling to navigate it all. Should I be teaching myself? Use online resources like Udemy, SmartNinja, or something similar?

Only teenagers with massive, lightning-fast cognitive capacity can truly pull off learning to code entirely on their own; they might manage to scrape together a decent skill set over five years before being tossed into a corporate environment where some senior developer gives them a modicum of respect, and that's the extent of it.

I would agree with gentlecyclist16 that Java is a premier choice given current digital trends, but if you want my honest, unvarnished advice, I would tell you to stop thinking about programming altogether.

You have waited far too long to start, the competition is already too fierce, and the technical challenges are becoming increasingly complex. By the time you even grasp the fundamentals, you will have exhausted yourself by age 40, merely scrambling to keep pace with everyone else, only to realize you wasted four or five years of your life on a dead end.

It is much more logical to focus on your existing strengths and strive to become an absolute expert in whatever field you are currently working in.

If you are absolutely hell-bent on programming, you will need to find a professional mentor—someone who has been in the trenches for years. With a tutor, you will acquire knowledge five times faster than studying solo, though the inevitable problem remains that you will still lack the raw practice and hands-on experience required. It is your choice.

I am not a programmer now, but I used to be, and I wouldn't go back to that profession for any amount of money.

gentlecyclist16 said:I hope this doesn't come off too aggressive, because I mean well here. 🙂 Maybe you should first try to break down which specific programming domains actually interest you from a "bird's eye view"—for instance, check this out: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-s...re-engineering. Every single sub-domain listed in that link comes with its own unique architectures, paradigms, and the specific programming languages best suited for those applications.

Then—and I’m not telling you anything new here—being fluent in English is absolutely vital. Without it, you're basically dead in the water in the US tech industry. American resources are microscopic compared to the sheer wealth of information available in English. Honestly, why even ask a question like this on an American forum when you could just type "programming languages with the greatest prospects and longevity in 2022" into Google?

Everyone is going to have their own truth based on their own experience. If I were starting from scratch today and had to pick just one language, it would most likely be Java.
My arguments "for" it:
- It’s been around for 25 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
- It serves as the primary language for native Android apps, an operating system supported by Google that was installed on roughly 130 million devices in 2022.
- It’s used across 13 billion different devices as of 2022.
- Java is a textbook example of a well-designed language, featuring what is arguably the best implementation of OOP in the programming world.
- Since the syntax is so similar to C++, anyone who learns Java won't struggle much when transitioning to C or C++ (or even Microsoft C#).
- A Java application can often be ported to a different platform without any modifications (like moving from Windows to Linux).
- Web back-end programming. To build something quickly, people might use PHP or Node.js, but when you're dealing with large teams and critical enterprise financial applications, I believe they'd much rather opt for Java.

Thanks, that sounds really good. 🙂

darkcyclist92 said:Learning to code "solo" (as a self-taught person) is something only teenagers with massive, lightning-fast mental capacity can pull off. They can spend five years building up some level of practical skill and then adapt quickly enough to enter a professional environment. Then, once a senior developer gives them a little bit of respect... that's it. That's the whole game.

I’d agree with gentlecyclist16 that Java is a top-tier choice given today's digital trends, but personally, if I could give you the best advice, it would be to stop thinking about programming anything at all.

You've waited too long to start; the competition is way too intense, and the tasks are getting more complex by the day. By the time you master the basics, you'll be exhausted by age 40, just struggling to keep pace with everyone else, only to realize you wasted 4 or 5 years of your life on nothing.

It's better to just focus on what you're actually good at and aim to be the best you can be at whatever it is you're doing right now.

If you're dead set on getting into programming, you're probably going to need to find yourself a mentor—someone who's actually been in the trenches for years. I guess having a tutor might help you pick things up five times faster than just grinding away on your own. But, I don't know, there's still the issue of lacking that raw, hands-on experience... so, it's really up to you how you want to play it.

Look, I'm not a programmer anymore, but I used to be, and honestly? I wouldn't go back to that job for all the money in the world.

You aren't exactly an optimist, are you? Heh. 🙂 I get what you're saying, though. I really do.

Thomas Sanchez2 said:The sheer volume of programming tools out there today is honestly overwhelming, and I find myself spinning my wheels just trying to figure out where to land. Should I be diving into self-study via various online platforms—maybe something like Udemy, SmartNinja, or whatever else is trending? Does anyone have actual recommendations on how to kick things off? My formal education essentially stopped after high school. The drive is definitely there; I just need a bit of guidance to get the engine running. 🙂

Look, online courses aren't inherently bad, but you might find more value in following a methodically structured curriculum rather than just jumping into random tutorials. Instead of leaning heavily on Udemy, I’d suggest looking toward a more prestigious MOOC offered by a reputable university—check out platforms like Coursera, edX, or Udacity for that kind of academic rigor. If you’re just looking for a way to passively watch videos to get a surface-level sense of what different languages can do and where they fit in the ecosystem, LinkedIn actually offers a 'Learning path - Becoming a software developer' that became free during the pandemic; it covers the basics of Java, Python, and a few other essentials.

darkcyclist92 said:Self-teaching how to code can only really work for teenagers who possess an immense, lightning-fast capacity for mental absorption. If they have that kind of raw cognitive speed, they might manage to scrape together some semblance of practical knowledge over a five-year period, allowing them to adapt quickly enough to whatever corporate environment they land in... And then, once they're actually in the trenches, a senior developer might grant them a modicum of respect, and... well, that's about it.

I find myself in agreement with gentlecyclist16 that Java remains a premier choice given the current trajectory of digital trends, yet if I may offer my own sincere counsel... perhaps you shouldn't be focusing on what to program or which language to choose at all...

You’ve waited far too long to make your move, and frankly, the competition is already getting too fierce. The technical requirements and project complexities are only increasing every day. By the time you finally wrap your head around the basics, you’ll have wasted so much time and energy just trying to stay afloat. You'll spend years just playing catch-up, only to realize at the end that you've thrown four or five years of your life down the drain...

It is my firm belief that one should focus their energy on their inherent strengths... strive to reach the absolute pinnacle of excellence in whatever field they have chosen to pursue, specifically in the work they are performing at this very moment...

If you are truly hell-bent on pursuing programming, you really ought to find yourself a professional tutor—someone who has been grinding in this industry for years. Honestly, having a mentor by your side can help you pick up skills about five times faster than if you were just struggling through it all on your own... though, I suppose the real catch remains that you'll still be lacking that raw, hands-on practice and real-world experience... however you choose to look at it.

I am no longer a programmer, though I once held that title... and frankly, I wouldn't consider returning to the field for any amount of money...

Greetings. I am twenty-nine years old, and I find myself wondering... is it perhaps too late for me to begin learning web development or 3D modeling? I am curious if it is still possible to achieve true proficiency in these fields and eventually build a successful career...

Is it perhaps more prudent to consider a career pivot into electrical work... and I wonder, would pursuing a trade like that truly be a viable or profitable move at my current stage of life...

It’s never too late to start, I guess. Honestly, picking up a soldering iron is probably the easiest way to get going.

I truly appreciate the kind words of support. 😁 👍

🤣

Just grab whatever interests you and start doing it. I don't see any connection between being an electrician and working on a computer—an electrician is just construction work 😁

fadedorca66 said:Just grab whatever interests you and start doing it.

Saw this documentary last night about some guy making his living through artisanal pipe carving.
He starts with a chunk of wood about the size of an apple... says the pipe is already hidden inside the wood. He isn't even making it, he's just finding it. Isn't that something?

Charles Palmer57 said:Hey there, I'm 29 years old—is it too late for me to dive into web development or maybe 3D modeling and actually build a solid career out of it?

Or would it be smarter to just pivot into being an electrician? Is that even a viable move at my age?

Well, if we’re strictly talking about where the money is, you'd probably be better off heading into tile setting.