What Programming Language Should I Learn for Software Engineering?

Key takeaways

One of the most important skills for software engineers is computer programming, but you may be wondering which programming language to learn. Here are some important things to know:

• Software engineers are in high demand, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 17 percent increase in employment opportunities from 2023 to 2033, well above the 4 percent projected for all other careers [1, 2].

• Which programming language you should learn depends on the scope of your work and the specific area of a software engineering project you are working on. 

• You can easily build programming language skills by practicing or taking an online course.

Explore the best programming languages for software engineering and learn about some of the software engineering careers you can pursue with your programming knowledge. Then, consider enrolling in the IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate, where you’ll create applications using Python, using various programming constructs and logic, including functions, REST APIs, and libraries.

How many programming languages should a software engineer know?

As a software engineer, it’s a good idea to aim to learn approximately three programming languages. However, rather than trying to learn as many different languages as you possibly can, it’s better to direct your efforts toward mastering the fundamentals of just one first. This will provide you with more value than having a relatively elementary understanding of several programming languages. As you gain programming experience, it will make it easier for you to learn other languages in the future. 

Which programming language should I learn first as a beginner?

Some of the most popular, beginner-friendly programming languages relevant to software engineering careers include Python, Java, and JavaScript. Python specifically has a reputation as being among the best programming languages for beginners to learn.

Software engineer languages to learn

Within software engineering, you can find many relevant programming languages, but choosing the right one for you depends on the type of work you will perform. Front-end, back-end, and full-stack engineers all have varying job responsibilities, and as a result, rely on different programming languages. Keep in mind that if you want to pursue a full-stack engineering position, you will need to know how to program on both the front-end and back-end.

Front-end programming languages

The primary front-end programming languages are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Take a look at how these three languages will allow you to optimize software’s graphical user interface (GUI):

• HTML: Short for HyperText Markup Language, HTML allows you to manage the overall structure and how information is displayed on the front-end.

• CSS: Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, controls the style of front-end components and works with HTML to change the design and presentation of information.

• JavaScript: This is a flexible front-end language that enables you to create interactive, dynamic software and generate new content, such as updating the webpage.

Back-end programming languages

As a back-end software engineer, you will mostly be using programming languages for developing the server side of software applications. Back-end programming languages for software engineering include the following:

• C#: Commonly used for developing applications in Microsoft’s .NET open-source platform, C# is an object-oriented programming language that allows you to develop programs and implement software components. 

• C++: You can use C++ to develop applications that perform at high speeds, and it’s a good option for developing programs capable of running on multiple platforms. However, it’s worth noting that C++ can be challenging for beginners.

• Python: Python is a highly versatile programming language that you can use for various aspects of software engineering, such as testing, troubleshooting, and handling data. It offers many libraries and frameworks that can help you develop programs efficiently.

• Ruby: Another programming language offering excellent versatility, Ruby is a high-level programming language, making it more suitable for beginners. With the Ruby on Rails framework, you can build web applications, store data, and keep your software secure.

• SQL: When it comes to handling data on the back-end, SQL is a valuable programming language to learn. Using SQL, you can update and retrieve data from databases and access user account information.

Types of software engineers

Within software engineering, you can find specialized positions, such as mobile app developer and quality assurance engineer, and in these roles, it’s beneficial for you to learn specific programming languages. Take a look at some of the different spaces where you can pursue a software engineering career, the programming languages that can help you in each, and how much you can earn.

Mobile app developer

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $100,727 [3]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in programming or computer science

As a mobile app developer, you create software applications specifically for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. In addition to using programming languages like Java, C#, and HTML, other languages like Kotlin and Swift are great for developing apps for iOS and Android.

Quality assurance (QA) engineer

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $81,092 [4]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field

Working as a QA engineer means you will play a crucial role in ensuring that the end product meets the customer’s needs. To do this, you will need knowledge in all areas of software development as well as testing procedures. Programming languages you will need to know for QA engineering are Python, Java, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

DevOps engineer

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $113,551 [5]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science; sometimes a master’s degree in IT or a similar subject is preferable

In a DevOps engineering role, you’ll work on both the development and operations side of software development projects. This means you will help your team navigate the software development life cycle to ensure things move efficiently while delivering a sound product. Knowledge of continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) as well as software engineering programming languages like SQL, Python, Ruby, and C++ are important for your career.

Learn programming languages on Coursera

The programming language you’ll need to learn as an aspiring software engineer depends on the side of software engineering projects you want to work on, whether that’s the front-end, back-end, or both, as a full-stack engineer. Get started today with our software engineering course match quiz, or explore the following free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Career Spotlight: Software Developer

• Hear from an expert: Bots & Blueprints: 6 Questions with a Software Architect and AI Developer

• Get our insights: Subscribe to our Career Chat newsletter

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial