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An average software developer in the U.S earns about $129,000 per year. However, this amount hugely varies among developers because it is a pretty versatile industry. Software development is different for every operating system.
Some people focus on desktop applications for just Windows while others do it for Mac or even Linux. The programming languages are different based on the type of developer one wants to become.
Experts predict that there will be 28.4 million software developers by 2024, according to SeedScientific. However, this number can largely vary based on the trends in software development because it is a growing field with new inputs.
We’ve shortlisted a few suitable languages for desktop applications. Some of them work better with Windows or macOS, while others are limited to Linux.
Top 8 Software Development Languages
Based on our targeted career, these are a few languages for fresh software developers:
#1: Python
Among the most widely used programming languages, Python is popular in numerous fields including data science, artificial intelligence, deep learning, etc.
It is a very versatile language that can be used in a wide range of domains. It’s also easy to learn and code in and the code is well-readable so anyone with some basic Python knowledge can easily decipher and understand it.
Additionally, it has a range of libraries for almost all applications. It is widely being used in software development, especially for desktop platforms.
The data structure is pretty user-friendly and programmers also have a big supporting community to discuss and resolve any type of issues. A few of its frameworks focused on Desktop development are as follows:
- Kivy
- PyQT
- Tkinter
- WxPython
- PyGUI
Also, Python incorporates newer technologies such as machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence to develop better applications for multiple platforms. If this language interests you, then here are a few amazing Python courses to start from.
#2: Java
Clearly, Java is one of the most powerful and useful programming languages, with many real-world uses. It can be written once and executed on as many computers as you want, and has the capability to build complex applications from scratch.
Java is used in many industries and has many applications, such as web app, Android, and software development. However, it is now more frequently used to create desktop applications, despite its popularity in web and mobile app development.
The best thing about Java is that it offers a range of frameworks and libraries to the programmers for working on desktop applications. These frameworks help to create any type of application such as system apps and services, multimedia apps, network apps, etc. A few of its popular frameworks are as follows:
- Vaadin
- Grails
- Play Framework
- Apache Wicket
- Django
If you are keen to learn Java and you already have basic knowledge about programming, then try out these best Java courses to start your professional journey.
#3: Scala
Scala is known for its compatibility with Java. The language was actually developed to cover some of the faults of its predecessor by offering much better coding experiences. It covers most of the major flaws, but it also inherits some of the advantages. Most of the implementations are also similar to that of Java.
In desktop development, Scala is increasingly used, and it is much faster than Java and more scalable than Python. The compiled structure of the language is another plus point for using it to develop software.
It also uses Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to execute its code. These similarities allow for the interoperability of this language. A few popular frameworks for desktop and software development are listed below:
- Play Framework
- Lift
- Scalatra
Scala is relatively faster and it is sometimes used by programmers as an extension to Java. You can start your learning journey by checking out these impressive Scala courses.
#4: JavaScript
A web-oriented language, JavaScript uses HTML and CSS to create interactive and responsive web pages but has many other uses. It can be implemented into desktop applications and utilized for backend server interaction.
JavaScript is very easy to learn, especially if you attend courses with detailed tutorials to help you get your head around the fundamentals. It is a client-side scripting language but it can also be used on the server-side for the interface.
As for web application development, JavaScript uses a range of frameworks that are capable of working on both client-side and server-side applications. Here are a few of its popular frameworks:
- Vue.js
- Angular
- jQuery
- Meteor
The language is fairly easy to pick up because of its simple syntax. If you want to learn it, then start with these exclusive JavaScript courses that will take you from a beginner to an advanced level.
#5: C++
C++ has been a language of choice for many developers because it is close to both humans and machines. It is object-oriented and offers a range of applications in multiple domains. It can be used on most operating systems such as Windows and even Linux.
Another language that is derived from C++ is C#, which generally deals with Microsoft App development. A wide range of libraries and frameworks are available to develop operating systems, browsers, games and other desktop apps. A few of its relevant frameworks include:
- Cinder
- Eigen
- FloatX
- OpenCV
Being a mid-level language, C++ is also relatively faster because it directly communicates on a machine level. It is also a great place to start your programming journey, despite your goals. You can learn the basics from these useful C++ courses to develop a strong foundation for your career.
#6: Swift
Swift is a modern programming language that was first launched by Apple for software and app development. Apple platforms used Objective-C up until Swift was introduced back in 2014. Since then, it has become the most popular language for all Apple platforms including macOs, watch OS and iOS.
The language serves many purposes on various Apple platforms; it is used for both desktop and iOS app development. It also has easy syntax and if you are already familiar with C++, then Swift will be much easier to learn because of the similar nature of both languages.
When it comes to macOS development, Swift has a few amazing frameworks including:
- CocoaTouch
- AV Foundation
- CloudKit
- Sparkle
- WebKit
This language is an ideal choice for those programmers who want to work on Apple platforms as a developer. If you are eager to learn more, then join any of these amazing Swift courses.
#7: Go
Go is gaining popularity due to its performance-critical factors. While it inherits many of its features from the C language, it has many of its own that make it stand out, including memory safety, garbage collection and structural typing features.
The applications of Go are widespread, as it can be used in software, app, and web development. Many big companies use it only for the performance-critical factors and it is used along with Python to improve performance of applications.
A few of the app development frameworks in Go include:
- Gin
- Beego
- Echo
- Kit
- Fasthttp
Go is fairly easy to learn with it’s simple syntax, similar to that of C language. You can start learning the basics by using these best Go courses.
#8: C Language
It is one of the oldest ones out there, but still a relevant programming language to create modern applications. C is considered a mid-level language but its syntax is pretty straightforward. It can also communicate on a machine level that helps to boost its performance.
Being on the older side, C is used as the building block for many modern languages that we see today. It has a range of applications and above all, it is widely used for desktop software development. The programming in C is more structured, clear and logical.
A few of the amazing C frameworks and libraries include:
- POCO C++ Libraries
- Mono
- Asio C++ Library
C is still a great language for programmers who are just starting out in their career. It will teach you many fundamental concepts and set your base for programming.
If you want an easy way to learn it, then check out these impressive C courses to learn the basics of one of the oldest programming languages.
To Conclude
Software development is much more than just desktop applications. However, the described languages focus more on this aspect. Despite that, if you are going for mobile development, then many languages such as Java and Python are still applicable in that domain.
If you are just starting out in programming, then Python is the most ideal choice because it doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the field. The syntax is fairly easy and frameworks further facilitate you to code more efficiently.