Anyone who has ever spent time in a country other than their own can safely say that it’s always helpful to speak more than one language. The same thought applies to the world of website and application development, where knowing more than a single programming language is the only way to cut it in the rapidly-changing technological landscape.
With several hundred programming languages in use on a daily basis, knowing multiple languages is a must for developers. There are, of course, pros and cons to all those languages while their use is more and more application-specific. The experts working at offshore software development companies only remain experts by staying up-to-date on the latest language releases to help keep their skills sharp.
However, those inexperienced or new in the world of development may find themselves wondering just how knowing the ins and outs of multiple development languages actually help on the job and in the dev career path.
In order to compete in the market, companies and the devs who power them must pivot quickly and retain agility or risk losing business to the competition due to technology. This includes things such as web applications, mobile apps, the Internet of Things, data science, machine learning, and so on. To gain any level of true agility, developers must have the ability to create the necessary software to extend the skills and offerings of the business at hand.
Why Learn Multiple Languages to Code?
There is a multitude of reasons why it’s a smart idea for a developer to put all of their eggs in one basket when it comes to learning a single language. From employability and career prospects to practical skill development, below are just a few of the major advantages for developers when they learn several programming languages:
- Multiple languages empower devs. Similar to the way a builder or a plumber requires many tools to get things done, developers need many tools to build complex applications and websites.
This is still sometimes a little confusing for those outside the industry because, in theory, any programming language is applicable to use for coding a site or application. However, there are certain languages known to improve factors such as performance, usability, and overall efficiency. By knowing more than one language, devs have the ability to choose from a proverbial toolbox when they need to solve a complex problem. - Developers who know more than one programming language increase their earning potential. – Engineers with multiple languages under their belt continue to have more work opportunities and are more in-demand than those who excel at a single language. Hiring professionals know that when they choose a dev who knows many different languages, they get more value for the money – and the dev gets paid more.
- It helps devs stay flexible and competitive when new projects arise. – Sometimes developers encounter clients with projects already done in one language and they must continue to work in that same language. If this isn’t the dev’s singular chosen language, they have to turn down the work. Developers must act as a jack of all trades when it comes to languages in order to work with a variety of customers, their projects, and multiple web applications.
- Languages come and go sometimes. – While there are definitely some programming languages that have already withstood the test of time, programming languages do wax and wane in terms of trendiness. There is always the risk of a language being all the rage one year and virtually extinct the following.
Devs who choose to only learn a singular language run the risk of being out of a job when their one specialty language fades into non-use. Instead, multi-language devs help future-proof themselves against the fate of fads. This also means that they have the ability to adapt and learn other new skills quickly in the world of programming. - They help keep the job from becoming monotonous and boring. – To put it simply, doing the same thing in the same language year after year causes burnout and gets boring. A multi-lingual developer not only has more projects to work on but also gets to think creatively to get the job done. This means multitasking in multiple languages to keep work interesting and helping to prevent getting bored with doing the same thing every single day.
It’s incredibly beneficial for developers to continually expand their toolkit with development languages to help them excel in their career paths without ever getting bored. Multiple languages not only help devs get paid more at better jobs but also provide them with the skills required to solve complex problems and build incredible digital products.
