Knowing which are the easiest programming languages to learn can unlock new opportunities for upcoming developers who want to enter the field quickly while having the foundational skills necessary to provide extensive coding services. It isn’t always about the most popular programming languages, albeit many of them soar the higher ranks of being easy coding languages.
A worldwide developer survey shows that 62.3% of programmers use JavaScript, 52.9% use HTML and CSS, 51% use Python and SQL, and 38.5% use Java. On the contrary, choosing the best programming language to learn is about more than aiming for ease and popularity. It’s about understanding what each language can achieve in modern-day development while you discover easy coding languages.
What Makes a Programming Language Easy to Learn?
How the easiest programming language to learn is highly subjective. Seasoned programmers and coders often pick up new languages quickly because they already have the problem-solving skills and a foundational understanding that allows them to more easily comprehend other languages.
However, choosing a programming language to learn as a beginner is much simpler when following the easiest to hardest ranked in order from experienced developers. Also, it’s easier to start learning about programming languages that mirror the English language better and have simpler syntaxes.
How long it takes to learn coding with any language also depends on your goals. Becoming job-ready in a field like data science can take 12-18 months while focusing on basic languages to learn will take 3-6 months. Ultimately, the easiest programming languages you can start coding will have fast results.
Other factors that influence which programming language to start coding with include:
- How technically savvy you are as a beginner
- Your comfort level using different technologies
- The intended use cases for your learning experience
- Syntax structure and accessibility for beginners
- Your intention for learning to code using the languages
- The available learning resources and community
- How much you want to make as a software engineer
- Whether you want to aim for complex projects like game development
The Easiest Programming Languages to Learn to the Hardest
Here are the programming languages easiest to hardest ranked in order to help you decide which language to learn. Consider how much software development costs to support your idea, but starting with the easiest programming languages to learn coding will only expand your learning experience later.
1. HTML
HTML is broadly known as the easiest programming language to learn, and it’s among the most popular programming languages to start coding various applications. The hypertext markup language is the first language to learn for newcomers. The markup language also has plenty of learning resources and community involvement, with various references, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides.
HTML is officially the easiest coding language to learn to the color, appearance, and text of other elements on and buttons on web pages. HTML simplifies how new developers learn coding, understand the syntax, and debug web-based projects. Its simple open and close tags also implements core actions with ease. Beginners can also learn HTML using a basic Hello World program.
Common HTML Applications:
- Web page designs
- Web page element definitions
- Web page element appearance designs
- Other HTML version modifications
2. CSS
CSS is also known as Cascading Style Sheets, another form of markup language often used with HTML to design the elements of a web page or HTML document. CSS is basically used to describe how HTML elements should be displayed on web pages. Check out a basic coding boot camps online tech courses like the CSS intro to understand how to use the two “languages” together.
The myriad of online tech courses, videos, and tutorials will ensure you have all the learning resources and community support necessary. Some CSS styling basics will unlock opportunities to practice the simple syntax. CSS defines the layouts and designs for web pages, including a duration icon, left-arrow icon, or even something like the Facebook logo, X logo, LinkedIn logo, or WhatsApp logo.
Common CSS Applications:
- Creating the entire layout and variations for HTML web pages
- Web page element design for star selected or star unselected
- Adding a duration icon or an eye icon with brand-specific colors
- Making the left-arrow icon on web pages responsive to different screens
3. JavaScript
The standard web-based technology involves you learning coding languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and even Python. JavaScript is a programming language ideal for web development, and has many frameworks to use and integrate, including Node, React, and Angular. With JavaScript being a core web development language, numerous coding boot camps provide online courses.
For a self-paced course, try an introduction to JavaScript from CodeCademy. You’ll find many other tech sources, videos, books, and tutorials for what was one of the most popular programming languages in 2024. JavaScript is one of the best programming languages to learn because it enables you to write code and access multiple frameworks for server and client-side multi-level devices web development.
Common JavaScript Applications:
- Handle client and server-side website development
- Browser-based game development
- Multi devices web development application
- Add animations and 2D/3D graphics to web pages
4. Python
Python is the last of the cornerstone programming languages you should learn for development. The Python programming language is also a general-purpose language with an easy syntax and variety of libraries with ready-to-use functions and features. There is even a beginner’s guide that walks you through all the basics and an active community for support and additional resources.
Developers who train AI models write programs with Python among other languages. The simple yet powerful programming language is ideal for any application development, data science, analytics, game development, and software development. Beginners also have access to various documents for different web applications and boot camps, tech course, videos, books, and more.
Common Python Applications:
- Widely used for training machine learning and AI models
- One of the best languages for data analytics
- Web development with Django or Flask
- Electronics and IoT devices development
5. PHP
PHP is also known as Hypertext Preprocessor, a programming language that serves back-end software development specialists. PHP is a general-purpose scripting language commonly used with HTML for fast server-side management and content access. Various online forums even use PHP to create new database records and update new ones. PHP is also well-known for security and automated encryption.
The syntax is still simple enough when learning to code with PHP, and the website provides extensive documents to support your learning experience. PHP still sits low on the list when ranking languages easiest to hardest. Major companies like Facebook and WordPress even use PHP. Simple creations like the Facebook logo and star selected or star unselected features are supported through PHP coding.
Common PHP Applications:
- Manage server-side interactions on web applications
- Server-side programming for dynamic websites
- Database interaction management
- Web server page rendering
6. Java
Java is the write once, use anywhere programming language you should learn as a beginner. The object-oriented language is another one of our easiest programming languages to start learning. Oracle Java is a general-purpose, statically-typed, concurrent, and class-based object-oriented programming language with a massive community for support and additional resources.
There’s also a Hello World Program for Java to help you connect with fellow developers and learn through collaborative efforts. Basically, the syntax uses many English words. However, it helps to have some experience with object-oriented programming. That’s why having access to the Hello World Program can support a beginner looking to dive into the deeper end with Java.
Common Java Applications:
- Desktop game and software development
- Integrate extensive back-end support for mobile apps
- Big Data and analytics platforms
- Develop embedded systems with solid logic
7. Ruby
Ruby is an open-source language born from many other languages. It’s a dynamic, server-side programming language that focuses on productive use cases and simplicity by design and coding structures. The syntax uses a lot of English language words and minimum yet crisp code commands that enable flexibility and easy modifications. It also has an abundance of community resources.
The Ruby programming language also has a variety of libraries and directories for source code as an open-source language. Some computer science boot camps will prepare beginners for entering jobs that require software development or web development. A 2019 report showed that Ruby on Rails boot camps typically lasted 13 weeks for full-time students. It’s a mid-level language to start learning.
Common Ruby Applications:
- Web scraping
- Developing web servers
- E-commerce software development
- Web development using Ruby on Rails
8. Go (Golang)
The Go programming language is one of C’s off-springs developed by Google in 2009. The C programming languages, including C, C++, and C# are more complicated to learn, albeit they aren’t the hardest programming languages to start coding. Nonetheless, Go makes our list for its exciting applications and simpler syntax compared to other C language options.
Some interesting use cases for GO include command-line interfaces, cloud or network services, and site reliability engineering applications. The Go language is also among the fastest, of which C is the ultimate winner. When wondering which language should you learn, consider Go as a mid-level coding tool with highly scalable features used by famous brands like Soundcloud, Uber, and BBC.
Common Go Applications:
- Fast and elegant command-line interfaces
- Web development with interactive star selected and star unselected elements
- General software product development at scale
- Cloud, network, and distributed systems
9. Swift
Swift is a programming language developed by Apple to compete with Objective-C, a more complicated mobile development language. Swift is a multi-platform development language programmers use for fast and secure development before launching products to the iStore. The language is expressive enough to add star selected and star unselected features as long as you follow store guidelines.
The modernization of Swift makes the language simpler and more efficient for entry-level developers. However, the possibilities are endless once you master the language because you can develop applications for the iPad, iPhone, Mac OS X, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Learning the Swift language isn’t too complicated because it has tons of built-in features and libraries you can access.
Common Swift Applications:
- Cloud applications
- Embedded systems
- Multi-device applications for iOS
- Web services and applications
10. Kotlin
Kotlin is another mobile-friendly programming language you must learn to write code for Android smartphones. Some developers believe the Kotlin language is easier than Java because it requires you to write less code. It’s true to some extent, but the syntax is slightly more challenging, and there aren’t as many built-in features and libraries like you’d find with the older Java language.
Still, Kotlin is fairly simple enough for beginners to learn coding skills suitable for mobile development. It has a massive community with extensive documentation and tutorials that guide newcomers. The most interesting aspect of the Kotlin language is that it has a playground that allows new developers to write test code online, even testing JVM, JS, JUnit, and WASM code on the website.
Common Kotlin Applications:
- Compose HTML for streaming service applications
- Multi-platform mobile app development
- Back-end web development
- Desktop application development
11. Assembly Language
Our list is now starting to include some of the hardest programming languages to learn. Assembly languages are tough to learn how to code because they work differently from the other high-level languages. Beginners will need more than a simple Assembly language introduction to master the low-level language that directly communicates with hardware devices, with code readable by humans.
Reading or understanding Assembly languages aren’t easy because the code is assembled. You need to be familiar with the internal hardware components of CPUs, computer systems, and other devices to truly understand the language. These languages are just as difficult to maintain and update, and they’re only comprehensible once you can read the entire context of the code.
Common Applications of Assembly Languages:
- Hardware device systems
- Electronic microprocessors
- High-performance hardware components
- High-volume and frequency trading platforms
12. Malbolge
Malbolge is officially the hardest programming language to learn. It’s an esoteric language that was first created by a compiler on Lisp. The Malbolge language was designed by Ben Olmstead in 1998, with the intention of being the most difficult language in which you can program software. The code lacks any clear understanding and white spaces that normally help developers read the code.
Beginners should avoid trying to learn esoteric languages COW, Malbolge Whitespaces, etc. COW and Whitespaces are just as challenging, and aren’t intended for mainstream programming. Should you be determined to master the most difficult programming language in the world, you can try taking courses. However, don’t rely on learning to read the code because it lacks all coherence and can self-adapt.
Easiest Programming Languages to Learn Conclusion
Start with the easiest coding language to learn so that you can at least master the four cornerstones of web application development before moving onto server-side logic and mobile apps. The hardest language to learn doesn’t even have application examples because you shouldn’t expect to be able to create something as simple as a star selected or unselected icon. Start slow, and work toward mastery.
Easiest Programming Languages to Learn FAQs
Why should I learn coding?
The impact of digital technologies has reached around 50% of the world. Learning to code isn’t always about wanting to enter a new career. Sometimes, it’s just about accessing the easiest code languages to learn so that you can transform your business into a website or capture the digital era through your own words (code). Alternatively, it simplifies how you collaborate with technical teams.
What are some easy coding languages to start learning?
The easiest programming language to learn is HTML, but which language should you learn after HTML? The best programming languages to start learning in order are HTML, JavaScript, Python, PHP, and of course, CSS if you wish to design layouts and variations for web page eye icons and famous logos like the WhatsApp logo, X logo, or LinkedIn logo. These languages provide you with the skills and tools necessary to develop multiple apps and websites.
What other programming expertise do I need to learn with languages?
Knowing how to stack technology will also serve you well and guide you to which programming languages, databases, and frameworks you need to learn first. For example, you must master the MERN stack and other stacks ranked in order from easiest to hardest. Learn more about these tech stacks to serve multiple clients.
- MERN Stack: MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js
- MEAN Stack: MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, and Node.js
- MEVN Stack: MongoDB, Express.js, Vue.js, and Node.js
- LAMP Stack: Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP
When should I choose the hardest and easiest programming languages?
Always start with an easy code language as a beginner and work your way toward mastering the more difficult programming languages to serve more clients as you advance in your career and expertise. The more programming languages and code you know, the easier it becomes to learn new languages.
Only move to the harder programming languages for mastery and to make yourself irreplaceable within a development company. However, clients won’t often request applications using the more complicated languages, unless you learn to code with Swift and Kotlin for mobile apps.
