The field of software development is marked by its dynamic nature, with the continuous emergence of new technologies, methodologies, and programming languages. In this fast-paced environment, businesses and tech teams are tasked with not only keeping pace with the latest trends but also leveraging the right tools to ensure scalable and robust software development.
Meanwhile, the choice of programming language can significantly impact the success of a company. Whether assembling an in-house team of software engineers or tapping into remote tech talent, understanding the landscape of programming languages is paramount for creating sustainable solutions.
In 2024, the coding landscape is poised for a transformative shift, and both businesses and tech professionals must be aware of the pivotal languages that will shape the future. Whereas, this comprehensive article aims not only to explore the significance of these languages but also to define why being well-versed in them is critical for the success of businesses and the growth of tech professionals.
Among all the programming languages, Python stands tall as an undisputed titan making it one of the most important programming languages of all time. With its seamless readability, versatility, and extensive applications, Python remains a powerhouse. From web development to artificial intelligence and data science, Python’s broad spectrum of applications makes it indispensable for businesses seeking efficient, scalable, and agile solutions. Moreover, its user-friendly syntax is a gateway for both fresh and experienced developers, contributing to its long-lasting popularity.
Instagram’s backend relies on Python with the Django web framework, enabling efficient handling of user-generated content and real-time interactions. Dropbox extensively uses Python, coupled with Django, to power its backend services, ensuring seamless and secure cloud storage. Spotify leverages Python for diverse backend services, benefiting from its flexibility and integration capabilities for personalised music streaming experiences. Finally, Reddit employs Python to efficiently manage user-generated content and community interactions on its social news aggregation platform.
At Ivy Tech, we currently boast a solid team of 5 highly skilled and experienced Python devs who are dedicated to our US-based HealthTech client ensuring seamless data analysis and platform updates.
In the 2024 programming landscape, Rust emerges as a game-changer for systems programming. As businesses increasingly require high-performance systems, Rust takes centre stage with its emphasis on both speed and safety. For businesses navigating the complexities of low-level control, Rust provides a robust solution. Its fearless concurrency and memory safety features position it as the language of choice for projects demanding efficiency without compromising security.
Mozilla Firefox incorporates Rust, particularly within the Servo browser engine, showcasing Rust’s role in building secure and high-performance components for a widely used web browser. Discord, a gamer-centric communication platform, employs Rust in its backend services, benefiting from the language’s emphasis on safety and concurrency. Finally, Cloudflare, a leader in web performance and security, has strategically integrated Rust into its infrastructure components, harnessing the language’s efficiency to enhance the speed and security of its services.
JavaScript remains indispensable in 2024, while TypeScript adds an extra layer of sophistication. With its static typing and enhanced tooling support, TypeScript addresses common challenges in large-scale JavaScript projects.
A vast majority of our in-house tech talent which we place with long-term clients, such as Paydock, boast significant experience in JavaScript and, in many cases, TypeScript. It is paramount for our engineers to stay up to date with technologies used by their clients.
Microsoft Teams, a collaborative platform, embraces TypeScript in its front-end development, leveraging the language’s static typing for robust code maintenance and improved development workflows. With household products powered by TypeScript we can see that this is an important programming language that is shaping the development horizon. Similarly, Visual Studio Code, a widely used code editor, is crafted using TypeScript, showcasing the language’s capability to build sophisticated and extensible developer tools. Angular, a prominent web application framework, is developed with TypeScript, benefitting from enhanced code organisation, better tooling, and improved overall developer experience.
We weren’t really sure if Golang was just a fleeting trend or here to stay. But in a world, where scalability and concurrency are paramount, Golang (Go) emerges as a formidable force. Developed by Google (and unsurprisingly often used by Google itself), Golang simplifies concurrent programming, making it an ideal choice for applications demanding high efficiency. As businesses increasingly adopt cloud computing and distributed systems, Golang’s simplicity, speed, and built-in support for concurrency make it a language with tremendous potential.
Docker, a transformative platform for containerisation, is written in Go. It harnesses the language’s efficiency and performance to enable seamless packaging and deployment of applications in containers. Kubernetes, a leading open-source container orchestration system, is also implemented in Go, reflecting the language’s suitability for building scalable and extensible infrastructure solutions. Furthermore, Prometheus, a powerful monitoring and alerting toolkit, is crafted with Go. It showcases the language’s effectiveness in creating robust tools for monitoring the health and performance of distributed systems.
Initially designed for Android development, Kotlin has transcended its original purpose, establishing itself as a key player in 2024. With its concise syntax and seamless interoperability with Java, Kotlin is finding applications in server-side development and web applications. Businesses aiming for versatility and adaptability in their tech stacks are increasingly turning to Kotlin for its robust capabilities.
Android Studio, the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development, is constructed using Kotlin. It showcases the language’s seamless integration into the Android ecosystem and its effectiveness in enhancing developer productivity. Finally, Trello, a popular project management tool, incorporates Kotlin into portions of its codebase, benefitting from the language’s conciseness and expressiveness for efficient development.
“Kotlin is a modern and powerful programming language known for its concise syntax. It prioritises null safety to reduce errors and offers features like immutable structures for better performance. With built-in support for functional programming, coroutines, smart casts, and extension functions, Kotlin simplifies code and enhances efficiency. Overall, it’s an effective choice for developing modern applications.” Evhen, Android Developer at Ivy Tech
Being aware of these important programming languages is not only an academic pursuit. It is a strategic necessity for businesses and tech professionals. In a landscape where technological advancements are the lifeblood of innovation, understanding the significance of these languages can shape the trajectory of a business and propel tech professionals to new heights.
The proper programming language pick can significantly impact business success. Understanding the strengths and applications of each language enables informed decision-making, ensuring that technological investments align with business objectives.
Tech professionals equipped with knowledge of these languages become invaluable assets to businesses. Hiring and retaining skilled developers versed in Python, Rust, TypeScript, Golang, and Kotlin can elevate a company’s technological capabilities, fostering innovation and competitiveness. With our team of technical recruiters, we have proven success in being able to curate efficient and culturally aligned teams for either of those invaluable tech stacks.
The tech industry is dynamic, and being abreast of the latest programming languages ensures that businesses remain adaptable. Technologies evolve, and those who can seamlessly integrate new languages into their workflows gain a competitive edge in the market.
The proper programming language can significantly enhance development efficiency. Since businesses that leverage languages tailored to their specific needs experience improved productivity, shorter development cycles, and a competitive edge in delivering cutting-edge solutions to the market.
In 2024, businesses must bring resources in-house, which can speak to choosing or developing the right tech stack depending on the organisation’s roadmap, addressable market, and mission. Python, Rust, TypeScript, Golang, and Kotlin are not just languages. They are tools for innovation, efficiency, and strategic growth. By understanding their nuances and applications, businesses can chart a course toward success, and tech professionals can position themselves as leaders in a rapidly evolving industry. Therefore the future beckons and those armed with knowledge of these languages are poised to be at the forefront of technological advancement.
4 – 6 Spicer Street
Arquen House
St. Albans
AL3 4PQ
