So, you are up for some web application development, right? It is easy to get confused about getting the best programming language to choose, especially if you are just starting.
Read How To Choose A Programming Language For A Project | GeeksForGeeks
In this post, we are going to discuss the best web application development languages and the specific purpose behind each of them. That way, you will be able to cherry-pick the most appropriate programming languages from the list and build an outstanding application! You might also want to read our blog post that covers web app development in detail: How To Build A Web App in 2024 – The Ultimate Guide To Making A Web App
5 programming languages that are best for web application development
- JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most reliable programming languages out there. Over 97% of websites use JavaScript to create an amazing user-side display. JavaScript or commonly known as JS among developers is used to create interactive web-based applications.
One of the amazing benefits of using JavaScript is that it can be used in your browser. It is not a language that you need to install or download. Just learn the language and cut right to the chase.
Wait… did we just say that it’s a language that can be used in your browser? HOW?!!
How to use JavaScript in Chrome:
- Open Chrome.
- Go to the settings.
- Go to security and privacy.
- Choose site settings.
- Click on the “Sites can use Javascript” option.
- Python
Python is a high-level language…
Wait, that’s too robotic.
Let’s make it more human and understand what high-level language exactly means.
High-level language means that the language makes it very easy and straightforward for a programmer to convert the algorithm into a simple programming code. On the other hand, low-level languages are machine-oriented.
So python makes it easy for you to code and you can easily use it to develop a wide variety of software because it’s a general-purpose language.
A general-purpose language is a computer language that functions across a broad array of application domains. There are other general-purpose languages as well that you can use to develop web-based applications such as C++, Java, and C. We’ll get to these languages later in this post – stick around!
- C++
C++ is another one of the most utilized programming languages in the world. The language is used for developing high-performance applications. And one of the most amazing things about C++ is that it gives programmers stronger control over the memory and resources of the system.
However, one major difference between Python and C++ is that syntax of the prior is easier. This means that it is easier for programmers to understand Python than C++. But when it comes to the performance of the applications developed using C++, Python is not a match.
Learn the language from C++.
- PHP
PHP is also a general-purpose language commonly used to develop web-based applications. However, there’s one thing worth noting about PHP: It’s not an ordinary programming language. It’s a difficult language (relatively) and it is mostly used to design dynamic website pages.
Learn what PHP can do | PHP.net
Apart from comparing with other programming languages, PHP can be learned with a fair amount of effort and practice. Once you learn PHP, you can easily develop a variety of web applications and dynamic websites.
- Java
Java is one of the most reliable options when it comes to building web-based applications. Java can be used to serve multiple platforms including servers, tablets, computers, mobile phones, browsers, and Television.
Why Do Developers Choose Java? 3 Reasons Why Java is Popular Among Developers | Quanrio
Java Web Application Development For Beginners | Get Started Today | Quanrio
So in a nutshell, a Java developer can create software or program that can run on any platform that utilizes and understands Java. However one of the fantastic things about Java is that it’s object-oriented. It means that developers can reuse the code whenever they need to create the same objects.
On the other hand, you might experience poor performance and it doesn’t provide a backup facility either. But, there is not a single programming language that is perfect in every domain. Every language has its fair share of benefits and drawbacks.
Basically, there will be some trade-offs that you’ll have to make, whether you choose Java or any other programming language for that matter.
JavaScript VS Python: Which language is best for Web development Java or Python?
Advantages Of JavaScript:
It’s Fast
JavaScript allows faster web application development. That’s because, as we mentioned earlier, JavaScript runs into the client browser. Therefore, you can immediately see the changes and work accordingly.
Easy To Learn
What also makes JavaScript so awesome is that it is easy to learn. You don’t need the brains of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos to understand the language. Rather, it is much easier to understand than things that such individuals do.
Strong Community
Over 97% of websites were developed using JavaScript. What that means is that there is a strong community of developers that back the programming language. So if you are developing an application using JavaScript and get stuck somewhere, you open your browser the next minute and search for the solution on the internet.
TA-DA! You’ve found it!
That’s what’s so interesting about Java. Plus, a strong community also means that there will be plenty of third-party resources to help add necessary features to your web application.
Disadvantages of JavaScript
Security
Being a developer, you might find it obnoxious. But, it is what it is. JavaScript seems to have no client-side security at all. Users can see the JavaScript code without any difficulty. Needless to say, it brings its own set of risks and threats. For example, some users might copy the code and use it without authentication. What’s even worse is that they might use it for evil purposes.
Other difficulties
JavaScript is interpreted differently by every browser. So the problem is that the developer has to go one extra mile. Instead of checking the odeon one browser, the programmer has to run and check the code on every browser to see how it works. In addition to that, JavaScript developers have to remain extra careful when writing code. That’s because unless every single line of code is crafted perfectly, the rendering will be impossible.
Single Inheritance Only!
One of the other big disadvantages of using JavaScript is that it doesn’t allow multiple inheritances. Now that might not seem like a problem if you are just starting because multiple instances are required in complex applications, which is something unexpected for a developer who is just starting.
Advantages of Python
Easy-To-Read
One of the most amazing things about Python is that it is easy to read and therefore easy to learn. So even if you are a newbie in the field of programming, you are not going to have a hard time figuring out the language. In addition, it takes fewer lines of code to perform a task that takes more lines of code in C++ or Java.
Security
While JavaScript may be suffering to keep the security intact, Python has proven to be an amazing choice in this regard. Python can be used for cybersecurity, information security, and website security as well.
Read: How Is Python Useful for Cybersecurity in 2024
Multi-Purpose Language
In addition to security, Python can be used for many different things such as Artificial intelligence, machine learning, game development, web development (alongside using frameworks such as Django), and even hardware programming.
Disadvantages of Python
High Memory Consumption
One of the major disadvantages of using Python is that its memory consumption is very high. Therefore, it can result in a large file size and therefore some developers might feel the urge to switch ways and use other languages. But, the good news is that there’s another way around too. You can follow some cutting-edge coding practices to avoid such complications. But wait… Are you just starting? Well, don’t start sweating just yet. Python has a strong community of seasoned developers. You can benefit from their experiences, tips, tricks, and hacks any day!
Speed
This is another thing that might bug you out – but the fact is that Python is slower than C++ and C. That simply happens because Python code is not compiled into native code. Instead, it is interpreted in the run time.
Mobile Application Development
Lastly, Python does not support mobile development at all. By that, we mean that you will (almost) never see Python being used to develop smartphone applications. But, why should that be counted as a disadvantage though? Well, that’s because most people use mobile for visiting websites, and applications, and performing other tasks as well including placing online orders.
List Of Front-End Languages
- React
- Angular
- jQuery
- TypeScript
- AngularJS
List Of Backend Technologies
- Github
- Go
- Laravel
- Ruby on Rails
- Kotlin
- MySQL
FAQs
1. What is considered the best coding language?
Determining the “best coding language” is subjective and context-dependent. Python is lauded for its readability and versatility, while JavaScript is essential for web development. The choice ultimately hinges on your project’s requirements and goals.
2. What are the web application development languages?
Key web application development languages include JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Java, and PHP. Each has its strengths, with JavaScript dominating on the client side and others like Python excelling in server-side development.
3. What is the best language for web applications?
Selecting the best language for web applications depends on your specific project needs. JavaScript is crucial for front-end development, while Python, Ruby, or Java are popular for back-end tasks. The choice should align with your development goals and team expertise.
4. What is the best programming language to start with?
For beginners, Python is often recommended due to its simplicity and readability. It provides a gentle introduction to programming concepts while being versatile enough for various applications.
5. Which language is better to learn in 2024?
Predicting the best language for 2024 is challenging, but Python, JavaScript, and Java are likely to maintain their relevance. Consider the evolving industry trends and your project requirements when choosing a language to learn.