So, you have completed high school and are wondering if you should take up a career in programming.
You've made a commendable choice, but like every other programmer, you'd need to choose between different programming languages.
Let us tell you that it is not easy! Over two hundred fifty programming languages are available for learning. Some are used for coding games and applications, while others are used for programming websites, machines, and IoT.
First of all, you'd need to match your interest with the programming language you wish to pursue to determine further learning which language will benefit you the most –financially and career-wise, or satiate your curiosity –creativity, finding bugs, hacking.
Is learning a programming language difficult?
No, much like any other skill, learning programming requires time and persistence.
However, the difficulty lies in choosing a particular programming language and the software you wish to make.
Despite their many advantages, the programmers dread many programming languages because they are harder to learn and use.
BusinessInsider.com pointed out;
Some programming languages are known to cause massive headaches for developers. Sometimes it's because these languages are hard to learn. Sometimes it's because they're older and more likely to have bugs in the code or even crash. Or sometimes, writing in a specific language is simply frustrating.
A recent survey of 65,000 users conducted by Stack Overflow made a list of Earth's most dreaded programming languages.
So, if you are contemplating learning a new programming language, this will be a handy guide for you.
Ten Most Disliked Programming Languages on Earth
Here is the list of the ten worst programming languages ranked from ten to one.
10. R
R is a programming language used for statistical computing. Statisticians and data miners widely use it.
It may take at least three weeks for a beginner to learn R. For experienced programmers, it can be done within a week.
Many seasoned programmers find it harder to learn because R, in large part, is different from many programming languages.
Once you master the basics, you will acquire knowledge and mindset to explore more complex concepts.
R is relatively easy for beginners because they don't need any prior experience with coding.
A free, open-source programming language first appeared in August 1993. Although many of R's standard functions are written in R itself, the programmers can use the assistance of C, C++, and FORTRAN to develop graphs.
As pointed out by r-project.org,
One of R's strengths is the ease with which well-designed publication-quality plots can be produced, including mathematical symbols and formulae where needed.
9. Java
Learning Java can be tricky.
Although a significant coding language with many practical implications, the practitioners often find it difficult because they need to grasp the concept of variables and functions, and sometimes abstract concepts like objects, bringing inheritance, and polymorphism.
Learning a different set of skills can often make it harder for programmers. Still, once they start using it in a live environment, things start becoming easier.
Many beginners who are good with 'Logic' will find learning Java easier.
Did you know Java is the most demanded skill in the world? Java ranks first with 65,986 jobs among the most required skill for a programmer.
Regarding the popularity of Java, Jack Mannino of nVisium points out,
This may be an unpopular opinion due to JavaScript's immense popularity, but it's often quite a mess to work within reality. the code is unsustainable; it becomes quickly convoluted and hard to maintain.
8. C++
Most programmers dread C++ because it has a more complex syntax, which can often be challenging for aspiring programmers.
It is often hated because of the poor understanding of the language. Moreover, a poorly done C++ equally repels a programmer from the language.
C++ ranks as the fourth most popular coding language despite the challenges because it's used in various areas where high-performance software is needed, such as Adobe products and browsers.
The benefits of using C++ include portability, object-oriented, multi-paradigm, low-level manipulation, memory management, and extensive community support.
It can be an excellent career choice for aspiring programmers. Don't mind the difficulty!
7. Ruby
Ruby is the least complicated language to learn because it's a clean, small language with a deep understanding of blocks and Procs. Once you get through those, it's relatively easy to master the language.
Programmers often hate it because it's a slow language compared to a statically compiled language like C++. Also, they don't have the liberty to use new frameworks or building custom features.
Ruby is used in various fields, and it remains one of the best languages for web applications. Programmers can easily absorb change, continuous testing to further promote rapid development and ensure quality with their products.
That makes it one of the most popular web development frameworks.
6. PHP
In general, PHP is regarded as one of the easiest programming languages to master. Still, it may take a long time to cover every aspect.
PHP has rules of coding, abbreviations, and algorithms. It is one of the languages that can be used for varying purposes.
Despite being one of the easiest languages, most programmers dislike it because it's a technically inconsistent language with a bad design.
Like a developer once said,
it's relatively easy to produce bad codes using HP.
And, there are many security problems with PHP, which makes it a rather uninteresting programming language.
It gained popularity among the developers in a quick time; hence, you will still find more than 75% of the websites based on PHP.
5. C
Did you know C is the oldest programming language in the world? A predecessor to C++ was developed by an American computer scientist Dennis Ritchie in 1972 to create a wide array of computer systems and hardware.
The programming languages developed after C, such as PHP and Java, take strong references from the C language. However, despite its relevance, many programmers dislike it because it lacks many great features. This is a reason why an aspiring programmer takes up C++ instead of C.
C programmers dislike it because it lacks a module system, namespaces, and lambdas. It lacks automatic memory allocation, no garbage collection, and zero objects or classes.
However unpopular it can be, C is still widely used for advanced computer programming and other robust developments.
4. Assembly
Yes, an assembly language translates high-level languages into machine language. Yes, it is a necessary bridge between software programs and hardware, but that doesn't necessarily make Assembly an easy language.
Those who are familiar with Assembly would tell you that it's challenging to learn because it requires a deeper understanding of system architecture at the most fundamental level.
And, it is true, but that doesn't make it less relevant.
It is widely used for direct hardware manipulation and to address critical performance issues. If you're interested in getting into this type of programming, you'd need to learn Assembly.
3. Perl
Perl isn't a complex language to learn. In fact, you can learn it in a matter of weeks.
Programmers dislike Perl because it is so old and inferior to python.
This is quite true because no young or relatively experienced developer would be working on codes written on Perl.
It saw the hay days, but the competing languages like Ruby and Python made it less relevant.
You can master Perl for mainly prototyping, large-scale projects, text manipulation, system administration, web development, and network programming.
2. Objective-C
Like Brent Simmons, Mac and iOS developer, said,
Objective-C looks hard because of the [and] syntax and all those words.
Besides, Objective-C is an easy language to learn in a short time. It is used for developing OS X and iOS operating systems and apps and gives language-level support for object graph management and object literals.
Programmers often dislike it for lacking method visibility methods, class namespacing, and proper importing system.
They often complain that Objective-C is mostly just plain old C.
1. Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
With the proper training, anyone can master the VBA language, mainly used for programming and managing Microsoft applications like Excel.
It's built into most Microsoft Office applications to automate repetitive tasks, like cleaning up tables, creating a pop-up reminder, and formatting documents; hence, you cannot disqualify it simply because you dislike it.
Programmers often complain that it is old and limited.
Which is the most challenging programming language, according to you? Comment below to let us know. The most commented language will be featured in our next section.
This list is compiled by Searchable Design LLC., the Best web development agency in the US. We specialize in developing business-centric products such as web applications, websites, mobile applications, and more.