New Programming Languages To Learn And Their Usage

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, so do the programming languages used to develop the software and applications we rely on every day. While some older languages remain popular and widely used, new programming languages are constantly being developed with unique features and capabilities that appeal to developers and businesses alike. In this article, we will explore several newer programming languages and their intended purposes, helping you gain a better understanding of the advantages and potential use cases for each. This article will provide valuable insights into the exciting and dynamic world of modern software development

Rust

Rust is a low-level, memory-safe programming language. A low-level programming language is a type of computer programming language that provides a high degree of control over the hardware and resources of a computer system. These languages are designed to allow programmers to write code that interacts closely with the computer's hardware, such as the CPU, memory, and other components.

Low-level programming languages are typically used for tasks that require high performance, such as system-level software, device drivers, or other applications that require direct access to the computer's resources.

Memory safety is a term used in computer programming to describe the proper management and usage of memory in a software program. In a programme, memory is used to store data and instructions that are used during its execution. A memory-safe programming language has built-in features to help prevent programming errors around memory usage.

Rust is a safe, fast, and efficient language that prioritises both performance and security, making it a popular choice for a variety of applications.

Some areas where Rust can be used:

• Game development: Rust's performance capabilities and support for high-performance graphics libraries like OpenGL make it an attractive choice for game development.
• Cryptography and security: Rust's focus on security and memory safety makes it a good choice for developing secure and robust cryptographic libraries and applications.
• Blockchain development: Rust's combination of high performance and security makes it a popular choice for developing blockchain applications and smart contracts.
• Machine learning: Rust's performance and ease of integration with other languages make it a promising choice for machine learning applications, especially for tasks like data preprocessing and data cleaning.

Some popular apps or websites where Rust has been used to develop some features are Discord for its audio and video encoding and decoding system, Dropbox, Mozilla, Cloudfare, etc, to name a few.

Kotlin

Kotlin is a programming language that is used to write software and programs for a wide range of platforms, including desktops, mobile devices, and servers. It is an object-oriented language that is similar in many ways to Java, but with some additional features and syntax that make it easier and more efficient to write code.

Also Read | Ace These Essential Qualifications To Become A Crypto Developer

One of the key features of Kotlin is its interoperability with Java, which means that developers can use Kotlin alongside Java to build applications that run on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This makes it easy for developers to leverage their existing Java knowledge and experience while taking advantage of the modern features and syntax of Kotlin.

Kotlin is used in a variety of applications, including:

• Android app development: Kotlin has gained popularity as a preferred language for Android app development, due to its concise syntax, improved type inference (i.e., automatic determination of the data type of a variable or expression), and similar other useful features.
• Web development: Kotlin can also be used to build web applications using frameworks like Spring Boot and Ktor.
• Backend development: Kotlin is also well-suited for building server-side or backend applications, with frameworks like Vert.x and Micronaut providing robust and scalable options for building web services and APIs.
• Desktop application development: Kotlin can also be used to build cross-platform desktop applications (a cross-platform desktop application is a type of software that can be installed and run on multiple desktop operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, without requiring significant modifications or separate development efforts for each platform) using frameworks like TornadoFX and JavaFX.

Some popular apps or websites where Kotlin has been used to develop some features are Pinterest, Square, Trello, Coursera, and Evernote, to name a few.

Swift

Swift is a modern, general-purpose programming language that was developed by Apple for use on its various platforms, including macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. It is a high-level language that is designed to be easy to read and write, while also being fast, safe, and efficient.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on new languages and trends in the industry.

Swift is used in a wide variety of applications, including:

• iOS app development: Swift has become the go-to language for building iOS apps, due to its ease of use, safety, and performance. It offers a number of modern features, such as optionals and closures, that make it easier to write code that is easy to read and maintain.
• macOS app development: Swift can also be used to build desktop applications for macOS, offering developers a powerful and modern alternative to Objective-C.
• WatchOS and tvOS development: Swift can also be used to develop apps for Apple's watchOS and tvOS platforms, allowing developers to build apps for the Apple Watch and Apple TV.
• Server-side development: Swift can also be used to build server-side applications, with frameworks like Vapor and Perfect providing robust options for building web services and APIs.
• Machine learning: Swift has also been used in machine learning, with the TensorFlow library providing support for the language.

Most of the apps on iOS are written using Swift.

GoLang

Go, also known as Golang, is a relatively new programming language that was developed by Google. It is a general-purpose language that was designed to be simple, efficient, and easy to use, with a focus on concurrency and scalability. Concurrency, in a programming paradigm, refers to the ability of a programme to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. It allows different parts of a programme to execute independently of each other, which can improve efficiency and performance. Think of it like being able to juggle multiple balls at the same time.

Here are some applications of Go:

• Web development: Go has become a popular choice for building web applications, with frameworks like Gin, Revel, and Beego providing a robust set of tools for building scalable and efficient web services.
• Network programming: Go's built-in support for concurrency makes it well-suited for network programming, with libraries like net/http and net/rpc providing a simple and easy-to-use interface for building networked applications.
• Cloud computing: Go has also become a popular choice for building cloud applications, with projects like Kubernetes and Docker Swarm relying heavily on the language for container orchestration and management.
• Systems programming: Go's focus on low-level programming and efficiency makes it well-suited for systems programming, with libraries like os and syscall providing a powerful set of tools for working with the operating system and system resources.
• Data analysis: Go has also been used in data analysis, with libraries like Gonum providing a set of tools for working with matrices, linear algebra, and other mathematical operations.

Some popular apps or websites where GoLang has been used to develop some features are Docker, Kubernetes, Uber’s backend infrastructure, Twitch, etc, to name a few.

Also Read | How To Build a Career You Won't Want to Quit

In conclusion, there are many programming languages available for developers to use, each with its own unique features and applications. Rust, Kotlin, Swift, and Go are just a few examples of popular languages that are widely used for different purposes, from building high-performance systems and applications to creating mobile apps and web services. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on new languages and trends in the industry, as these can provide new opportunities for growth and development. By staying up-to-date with the latest programming languages and technologies, developers can ensure that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's rapidly changing tech landscape.