Coders use programming languages to write code that creates software, apps, websites and more. There are hundreds of programming languages in use today, and many of them utilize English keywords and syntax. However, not all coders code exclusively in English.
What programming languages are based on English?
Many of the most popular programming languages like JavaScript, Python, Java, C++, C#, PHP, Ruby, Swift, Objective-C, TypeScript and Go use English keywords, variables, functions, etc. This is because these languages were created by English speakers, primarily in the United States.
English-based programming languages utilize words like “for”, “while”, “if”, “else”, “return”, “class”, “function” and so on. The syntax also flows like English, from left-to-right, top-to-bottom. This makes these languages easier to read and write for native or proficient English speakers.
What programming languages are not based on English?
There are hundreds of programming languages that do not rely on English vocabulary or syntax. For example:
- Arabic – Arabicode, Arapaho, SCOL
- Chinese – Chinese BASIC, Chinese C, Falcon OS
- French – Esterel, Scilab
- German – RaBit, Rocrail
- Hindi – Hindawi Programming System
- Japanese – GuraScript, K, Yorick
- Korean – Seed7
- Portuguese – LSE, NS Basic
- Russian – Bystro,chi, Renata
- Spanish – garisma, Lenguaje Latino
- And many more…
These languages utilize keywords and syntax from their native language, making them easier to learn for speakers of that language.
Do all coders need to code in English?
No, coders do not need to code exclusively in English. Programming languages exist to meet the needs of coders from all over the world, not just English speakers.
However, English-based programming languages like Python and JavaScript are among the most widely used languages globally. So even non-native English speakers often learn these languages. Proficiency in English makes them much easier to work with.
Why do many popular languages use English?
There are a few key reasons why many popular modern languages use English:
- Early computing pioneers were largely based in the U.S. so English became the common language.
- English has become the global lingua franca in tech/business.
- Syntax based on natural language is easier to learn. English worked well.
- Vast English technical vocabulary exists for computing concepts.
- English is straightforward and relatively easy to parse computationally.
So while not all coders work exclusively in English, it has become the common language for many of the most used programming languages today.
What languages do coders use most worldwide?
According to data from Redmonk, GitHub, the IEEE Spectrum ranking and other sources, the most popular programming languages among coders worldwide as of 2022 are:
| Language | Created By |
|---|---|
| Python | Guido van Rossum (Netherlands) |
| JavaScript | Brendan Eich (U.S.) |
| Java | James Gosling (Canada) |
| C++ | Bjarne Stroustrup (Denmark) |
| C# | Microsoft (U.S.) |
| PHP | Rasmus Lerdorf (Greenland) |
| R | Ross Ihaka & Robert Gentleman (New Zealand) |
| Swift | Chris Lattner (U.S.) |
| TypeScript | Microsoft (U.S.) |
| Ruby | Yukihiro Matsumoto (Japan) |
While created all around the world, these top languages predominately use English vocabulary and syntax.
What are the benefits of coding in multiple languages?
While many coders have expertise in 1-2 languages, learning multiple programming languages has some key benefits:
- Wider range of job opportunities
- Exposure to different programming paradigms
- Improved overall coding skills
- Ability to work across diverse codebases
- Write native apps for different platforms
- Understanding of language pros and cons
- Appreciation of syntax differences
Fluency across languages makes coders more adaptable, employable and well-rounded.
What coding languages are in highest demand?
According to the 2022 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, the programming languages most in-demand by employers globally are:
- JavaScript
- Python
- Java
- TypeScript
- C#
- PHP
- C++
- C
- Ruby
- Swift
This demand is driven by the ongoing prominence of web development, cloud/backend programming, app creation and data analysis projects worldwide.
How many coders are estimated worldwide?
According to data from various research firms and job sites, current estimates on the number of professional developers worldwide include:
- 28.7 million (SlashData, 2022)
- 27.7 million (Evans Data Corporation, 2022)
- 23.9 million (IDC, 2021)
- 21.7 million (Statista, 2020)
So by most accounts, there are over 20+ million active coders working today globally. This is up from around 11.5 million in 2015, showing rapid growth.
Which countries have the most coders?
According to Evans Data Corporation, the top countries worldwide by number of software developers in 2022 are:
| Country | Developers |
|---|---|
| United States | 4.5 million |
| India | 4.0 million |
| Brazil | 2.3 million |
| Russia | 2.0 million |
| China | 1.9 million |
| United Kingdom | 1.4 million |
| Germany | 1.1 million |
| Canada | 1.0 million |
| France | 1.0 million |
| Ukraine | 947,000 |
India and China are rapidly gaining developers, while North America and Western Europe lead in total numbers. Ukraine notably has a disproportionate number of coders versus its population.
How has coding language popularity shifted over time?
The popularity of coding languages has evolved significantly over the decades:
- 1950s-60s – Fortran, Lisp, COBOL, ALGOL 68
- 1970s – C, Pascal, Smalltalk, Prolog
- 1980s – C++, Perl, Python, Objective-C
- 1990s – Visual Basic, Ruby, JavaScript, Java
- 2000s – C#, PHP, CSS, Swift
- 2010s – Go, Rust, Kotlin, TypeScript
New languages have continually been created to provide better abstractions, platforms, features and tools. But a handful of languages like C and Python have shown incredible staying power decade after decade.
What coding languages are beginner friendly?
The programming languages considered most beginner friendly due to their simplicity, communities and learning resources include:
- Python – Simple syntax, high-level, general purpose
- JavaScript – Works in web browsers, powers web apps
- Java – Heavily used, object-oriented, robust ecosystem
- Ruby – Clean syntax, popular for web backends
- C# – Microsoft developed, similar to Java
- PHP – Powers most websites’ backends
- Visual Basic – Straightforward syntax for Microsoft platforms
- Swift – Made for iOS/MacOS app development
Harder systems languages like C/C++ are less commonly used as a first language today.
What programming skills are most in-demand?
Beyond knowledge of specific coding languages, some of the programming skills most in-demand among employers today include:
- JavaScript/TypeScript programming
- Python programming
- Web development frameworks like React, Angular, Django
- Cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
- Containerization with Docker
- iOS/Android mobile app development
- Microservices and serverless architectures
- SQL/NoSQL databases
- Artificial intelligence/machine learning
- Math and statistics for data analysis
Full stack web and cloud skills that can program both client and server components are especially sought after.
How can non-English speakers thrive in coding?
For non-native English speakers interested in coding, some tips to thrive include:
- Choose programming languages localized to your language
- Use translated learning resources like documentation
- Join local meetups and forums where you can communicate in your native language
- Consider finding a mentor or teacher who speaks your language
- Use sites like StackOverflow to find answers in your language
- Practice English language immersion when working with common tools
- Contribute to open source projects in your native language
With some adaptations, those who aren’t native English speakers can find great success in coding.
Conclusion
While English is ubiquitous in programming, coders around the world work in many languages. Proficiency in widely-used languages like Python and JavaScript is important for global technical communication and many development roles. But beyond that, coders should never feel limited by language alone. With practice, perseverance and the right help, coders of all backgrounds can thrive.