PHP vs Java vs C++ vs ASP.NET vs C# vs Python vs Ruby on Rails vs Node.js
PHP vs Java vs C++ vs ASP.NET vs C# vs Python vs Ruby on Rails vs Node.js

There are a variety of computer programming languages that programmers can use to communicate with a computer, just as there are many human-based languages. The long list of programming languages available for learning coding and web development can be intimidating. It includes PHP, Java, C++, ASP.NET, C#, Python, Ruby on Rails, and Node.js.
Although programming languages frequently have things in common, they all have distinctive traits.
- C++ and JavaScript are two closely related programming languages. The codes look very similar and can be used to create the same things.
- The code of Java, JavaScript, and Python doesn’t look the same, but they are used for the same purposes and are all equally challenging.
- Some programming languages, such as PHP, are unique; they share few characteristics with other programming languages, and their code appears very different.
You can find the best programming language to learn by reading this article, which will teach you about various programming languages and their applications. By the end of this article, you’ll know more about the language you should study to meet your coding goals.
Guide to Computer Programming Languages
Developers and companies create new programming languages every year to meet their demands. Beginners may struggle to choose which programming language to learn. Here is a guide to a few of the major programming languages you can choose to learn without regret.
1. PHP
It is a server-side scripting language used to produce HTML-coded web pages. It’s one of the most well-liked programming languages available because it’s a relatively simple language for new developers. PHP is used by 80% of the top 10 million websites.
Interestingly, PHP wasn’t meant to be a programming language.
- It started as a set of tools to help Rasmus Lerdorf maintain his Personal Home Page (PHP).
- Apart from that, it has grown to be one of the most used scripting languages on the Internet.
- Like Python or Perl, it is a server-side language that can create login pages, photo galleries, discussion forums, and much more.
- PHP-powered websites include well-known favorites such as WordPress, Facebook, and Tumblr.
2. Java
It can be used for many projects, from developing Android smartphone apps to creating complex desktop applications. This programming language’s fundamentals are derived from C++, but it is simpler to learn and use, especially for beginners.
- For instance, one of the core concepts behind Java was enabling programmers to write code once and run it on two completely different devices. The Java motto, “Write once, run anywhere,” derives from this.
- Nevertheless, it is widely used on all hardware, operating systems, and platforms.
- Thanks to its flexibility and adaptability, it is one of the most sought-after and highly compensated programming languages globally.
3. C++
C++ is built on C, the undisputed dinosaur of programming languages still in use today.
It is a powerful, high-performance programming language, but relatively low-level. Because low-level programming languages employ a lower level of abstraction, they are more difficult to “read” than high-level programming languages.
- You must write a lot of code when writing an application from scratch in C++.
- However, its projects are frequently more challenging to maintain and manage.
- On the other hand, it is highly scalable and efficient.
- It is frequently used in programs that demand a lot of resources, like some of the most beautiful 3D games.
4. ASP.NET
It is a web framework that Microsoft created and developed. It’s employed in creating websites, web applications, and web services. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are seamlessly integrated. The initial release was in January 2002. Programmers can write code in any supported .NET language using this platform based on the Common Language Runtime (CLR).
- Its main advantages include its quick speed, low cost, and extensive language support.
- Since it is already integrated into the well-known Windows server environment, it requires less setup and configuration than other web development platforms.
- Compared to a website built with PHP, for instance, websites and applications built with it can be quicker and more effective.
- Its applications are compiled, meaning the source code is converted into executable object code before execution.

5. C#
Microsoft developed the programming language C#, based on C and C++ and pronounced “C-sharp,” to run on their .NET framework. The creators initially intended it to be simple to use and learn. It reads somewhat like English because it is a high-level language.
Additionally, it abstracts away many of the complex tasks required to make sure the computer can understand and use your code. It is not, however, as high-level as, say, Python. Python is, therefore, even more straightforward for beginners than C#.
6. Python
It was created in the 1990s by Guido van Rossum and has grown to become one of the most popular programming languages in the world. If you are new to coding, it is an excellent language for learning programming fundamentals. It reads similarly to English, so it’s relatively simple to learn and remember.
Python includes many libraries, packages, and frameworks that can help you complete your Python projects more quickly. As a versatile programming language, you can use it for a variety of different coding projects, including:
- Data mining and visualization
- Machine learning
- Web applications
- Game development etc.
7. Ruby on Rails
Open-source, object-oriented Ruby is a scripting language that you can use alone or in conjunction with the Ruby on Rails web framework. Employers in technology, engineering, professional services, design, science, and quality control use it.
- It is used for simulations, 3D modeling, and managing and tracking information.
- This intuitive and flexible language, designed in 1995, is free to use, copy, modify, and distribute.
It has a steep learning curve but also allows you to see results relatively quickly, so learning it will definitely pay off. For instance, the Ruby on Rails framework makes it surprisingly easy to create a web application from scratch. It is thus the most functional programming language for startups and small businesses to use when they want to launch web apps as soon as possible.
8. Node.js
Node.js is a single-threaded, open-source, cross-platform runtime environment for developing networking and server-side applications that are quick to develop and scale. It utilizes an event-driven, non-blocking I/O architecture. It runs on the V8 JavaScript runtime engine, making it practical and appropriate for real-time applications.
- Due to its single-threaded nature, it can efficiently handle a large number of connections at once.
- Numerous open-source packages can make your work easier. More than a million packages are available in the NPM ecosystem.
- Because it is written in C and C++, it sprints and includes features like networking support.
You should now have a solid understanding of some of the most widely used programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, etc. You can, however, explore many other programming languages.