What Are the Types of Coding Languages and Their Uses?

There are many types of programming languages. However, there are only a set amount of programming languages that we use regularly. This article will reveal the most popular types of programming languages, how many types of coding languages are there, and much more.

If you want to know the best coding languages for beginners and programming paradigms, this article will be very helpful. Any professional or aspiring programmer should know this information. Read below to learn more about the most popular programming languages and the type of programming language you should learn.

What Is a Coding Language? 

A coding language is also called a programming language, and it is used to create a bridge of communication between humans and computers. Coding languages are a set of commands to develop scripts, software programs, and other forms of instructions for computers to execute.

Computers receive instructions in binary, which is a language made up of ones and zeroes. Coding languages allow us to translate binary into what humans can interpret. Every time you use your computer to execute an action like running Google Chrome, coding languages communicate with your computer through binary to fulfill your request. 

How Many Programming Languages Are There? 

There are about 700 programming languages. However, there are around 250 popular languages. It’s tricky to estimate the exact amount of coding languages because new ones are created every year. Wikipedia has a comprehensive list of programming languages that can help you get a sense of what’s out there.

Although so many programming languages exist, there are only a few that are widely used. For example, most courses may only teach open-source or object-oriented languages as those are the most common among programmers. 

What Are the Types of Coding Languages and Their Uses?

Low-Level Coding Languages

A low-level language refers to code written in instructions that only the computer can understand. Humans can’t readily understand low-level coding languages. These coding languages are also heavily machine-dependent, and we don’t commonly use them today. 

It’s more likely for a professional programmer to work with low-level coding languages as they have complex syntax. Low-level code is also difficult to debug compared to high-level code. If you want to work with or learn machine learning, low-level code is ideal. 

The primary types of low-level code are assembly languages and machine code. Assembly languages are the gap between machine code and high-level coding languages. This type of low-level code uses abbreviations known as mnemonics. Mnemonics work with machine code to fulfill the programmer’s actions. This form of low-level code consists of binary code.

Advantages of Low-Level Coding Languages

• The programs and software created by low-level coding languages function quickly and are memory efficient. 
• A programmer can use a computer’s CPU and memory in optimized ways. 
• Since you don’t need interpreters or a compiler to translate these types of coding languages, the interpretation time is decreased.

Disadvantages of Low-Level Coding Languages

• Low-level coding languages are not suitable for beginner programmers as they are difficult to work with. 
• Programs developed by low-level languages are more susceptible to errors. 
• Developing, maintaining, and debugging low-level coding languages can decrease productivity compared to other language types. 

Middle-Level Coding Languages

We also call middle-level coding languages intermediate coding languages or pseudo-languages. These types of coding languages fill the gap between low-level and high-level coding languages. Middle-level coding languages interact with the abstract elements of a computer.

Most system and application programming languages are middle-level code. Middle-level coding languages are not as complex as low-level code, but there are similarities between the two. A common language associated with middle-level programming is C. 

Professionals use C programming to create systems that are part of larger operating systems like Windows. We use languages like C++ to develop games, browsers, and desktop apps because of how fast this language is. As a beginner programmer, knowing C++ is fundamental.

Advantages of Middle-Level Coding Languages

• Middle-level code often produces machine code much faster than other levels of code. 
• Coding languages that are middle-level have simple syntax.
• Most middle-level codes are portable. 

Disadvantages of Middle-Level Coding Languages

• There is little to no exception handling for middle-level coding languages. 
• Middle-level code doesn’t support the concept of destructors and constructors. 
• These types of programming languages don’t support run-time checking. 

High-Level Coding Languages 

Most developers and programmers use high-level coding languages. These types of coding languages are close to human language. Statements in high-level code derive from English. You don’t need to be proficient in computer hardware to utilize these languages because they don’t rely on particular machines. 

A high-level language is ideal for beginners, and this form of code is also very portable. To use high-level code, you need to interpret or compile it. High-level programming languages include Python, Ruby, Java, and PHP. 

The types of high-level code seem similar, but there are differences between each scripting language. You’ll find that some languages offer different speeds, functionality, convenience, and cross-platform support. The majority of in-person and online coding bootcamps teach high-level code. 

Advantages of High-Level Coding Languages

• It’s easy to modify high-level code because the statements are in English. 
• High-level code is portable. 
• It’s faster to write and debug high-level code. 

Disadvantages of High-Level Coding Languages

• The programs and software developed by high-level code don’t function as quickly as low-level code programs. 
• High-level programs are less memory efficient than those developed with low-level code. 
• High-level code does not communicate directly with the hardware. 

What Are the Types of Programming Paradigms?

The types of programming paradigms include functional, object-oriented, procedural, and logical programming. Below is a detailed explanation of each of these paradigms. 

• Functional Programming. This type of programming paradigm describes software and programs that are developed by building functions. These functions are primarily mathematical. This paradigm is the opposite of object-oriented programming. 
• Object-Oriented Programming. For object-oriented programming, objects are defined with their characteristics and methods. Instead of focusing on functions or logic like functional programming, you create software designs around objects and data. In this case, an object is a data field with unique behavior. 
• Procedural Programming. New developers will learn this programming paradigm first. Procedural programming instructs a device on how to complete the requested tasks. This paradigm approaches data and operations as two separate concepts and follows a linear top-down method. 
• Logical Programming. Logical programming relies on logic to describe rules and facts about a system. This paradigm tells devices what goal to accomplish instead of how to accomplish it. Each rule in logical programming has a head and body, and each fact only has a head. 

10 Most Popular Coding Languages in 2021 and Their Uses

There are many different programming languages out there, but the majority of websites and software use a select few. Read below to learn more about the most popular coding languages that you should learn in 2021.

JavaScript

JavaScript is an object-oriented programming language and a form of high-level code. You don’t have to compile JavaScript. It’s used as a client and server-side language. Stack Overflow confirms that 68 percent of developers use JavaScript as it is fundamental to web development and design. 

What Is JavaScript Used For?

We use JavaScript to create web-based applications and web pages. Through JavaScript functions, developers can add interactive elements to websites. JavaScript allows websites to engage users and keep them on-page for a longer duration. 

HTML/CSS

HTML and CSS often work together. They are both low-level programming languages. These programming languages are the core of building web pages, web-based applications, and mobile applications. If you want to become a web developer, you will need to learn these languages.

What Is HTML/CSS Used For?

By choosing to learn HTML, you can create the structure of websites and mobile applications. CSS is used to design the layout and aesthetic of client-server applications. It is the best language for websites.

C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that supports object orientation and is an extension of C programming. The reason this scripting language is so widely used is because of its high speed and memory efficiency. 

What Is C++ Used For?

Developers use C++ to create business applications, database systems, desktop applications, and other low-level applications. You can also use C++ in mobile application development and game development.

Python

Python is a high-level programming language that is also an object-oriented language. Most in-person and online courses will teach you how to learn Python, as it’s a popular choice. This programming language is easy to learn because of its simple syntax and straightforward interpretation. 

What Is Python Used For?

Python is used for mobile application development, desktop apps, web development, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. You will most often find it in data science applications. It is a good language for beginners.

Ruby

Ruby is an open-source programming language that focuses on simplicity. This programming language is similar to Python. It’s a high-level coding language. Ruby is popular because it can be used with the Rails framework, also known as Ruby on Rails.

What Is Ruby Used For?

Ruby is mainly used to create web applications. However, it’s also used for data analysis, prototyping, and information portals. It is a language of choice for many experts.

Java

As another high-level coding language, most developers use Java. This programming language is class-based and object-oriented. Java is popular because of its independence and ability to run on various computers. Skills in Java are essential for any aspiring programmer. 

What Is Java Used For?

Java is used to develop mobile and desktop apps. This programming language is also used for embedding software and processing big data. You can use it for anything from front end development to app development.

SQL

Statista confirms that 55 percent of developers use SQL. SQL isn’t object-oriented but rather a declarative programming language with various uses. This programming language is used among professionals in web development, software development, and database administration. Tech professionals enjoy using SQL because it’s efficient. 

What Is SQL Used For?

We use SQL to communicate with and manage database systems, so it is a good choice for database administrators. The functions of SQL also include extracting and organizing data to store in a relational database. This is considered a database language or database query language.

Objective-C

Objective-C is one of the top middle-level coding languages. This language is object-oriented and general-purpose, which emphasizes its countless uses. Objective-C is crucial because it’s a superset of C programming. 

What Is Objective-C Used For?

Objective-C is the go-to language for writing OS and iOS software. This means that you can use Objective-C to create various applications for these devices. 

C#

C# is a middle-level, object-oriented programming language. Statista mentions that 31 percent of developers use C#. The reason for its popularity is that it’s a versatile programming language with simple syntax. 

What Is C# Used For?

C# is used to create any and every software application from scratch. Learning C# is a common choice to develop desktop and mobile apps. 

PowerShell

Stack Overflow confirms that 33 percent of developers use PowerShell. This scripting language was developed by Microsoft for automating tasks and managing frameworks. Although PowerShell is just over three years old, programmers love it because it supports multiple platforms. 

What Is PowerShell Used For?

PowerShell is mostly used for administrative tasks. This scripting language automates finding, filtering, and exporting information in the Windows ecosystem.

Types of Coding Languages FAQ