What Programming Languages Are Worth Learning in 2016? A Data‑Driven Overview

This article examines which programming languages are most worth learning in 2016, acknowledging that the best choice depends on personal interests, career direction, and the development domain (mobile, web, backend, etc.).

Using data from GitHub's Octoverse report and RedMonk, the author presents visual charts that show the rapid growth of Chinese users and the overall popularity rankings of languages worldwide.

TOP1: JavaScript – JavaScript leads due to its ever‑increasing attention, its use in front‑end development, back‑end (Node.js), and cross‑platform mobile apps via React Native. The language’s ecosystem and tooling continue to expand, making it a critical skill for web developers.

TOP2: Java – Java remains a staple for enterprise back‑end systems and Android development, offering stability, extensive tooling, and strong corporate support, ensuring its relevance for years to come.

TOP3: Python, Ruby, PHP – These dynamic languages are praised for their ease of learning, rapid development capabilities, and suitability for beginners. Python excels in data science, automation, and web development; Ruby shines with the Rails framework; PHP continues to power many websites and content management systems.

TOP4: C++ – A powerful, high‑performance language used for system software, game engines, and performance‑critical components in large companies like Facebook and Adobe.

TOP5: CSS – While not a programming language, CSS is essential for creating modern, visually appealing web interfaces and must be learned alongside HTML and JavaScript.

TOP6: C# – Primarily used within the .NET ecosystem for Windows applications, web services, and, via Xamarin, cross‑platform mobile development.

TOP7: C – The foundational language for operating systems and many other languages; understanding C provides deep insight into low‑level programming.

Objective‑C / Swift – Highlighted for iOS development; Swift is designed to be safer and more approachable for newcomers while remaining compatible with Objective‑C.

The article also mentions other languages such as Go, Shell, and Scala, suggesting readers select based on specific project requirements.

In conclusion, while JavaScript tops the popularity chart, the author emphasizes that a language is merely a tool; the optimal choice should solve real problems and align with personal interests and career objectives.