According to GitHub 2.0, three out of the 7 most commonly used programming languages fall under the scripting category. JavaScript alone accounts for almost a fifth of all the code hosted on GitHub – 18.76% in 1Q2021. Scripting languages are in high demand today.

It’s not a shocking revelation that programming is one of those fields that have a promising future. The job market keeps expanding, and so do the opportunities for future developers.

There’s also no doubt that the demand for scripting languages is not going to disappear any time soon. But which ones exactly are a safe bet? You can try to figure it out yourself or you can outsource this research to essay writing services like https://essaywritingservice.com/ to be safe. In any case, reading through this article is guaranteed to give you at least some of the answers you are looking for.

First Things First: Scripting Languages ≠ Programming Languages

Let’s make sure everyone’s on the same page. In case you expect to see Java or C# on the list below, you’re in for a surprise: those aren’t scripting languages.

Generally speaking, all scripting languages are programming ones, but not vice versa. They are widely used in web development for basic tasks and API calls.

There are scripting languages for a variety of other use cases, too. These include task automation in operating systems, game development, and statistical analysis. They’re not as common as their counterparts used in web development, though.

So, what makes them so different? Well, unlike Java and C, scripting languages:

  • Don’t require compilation for execution;
  • Can’t be used to create standalone applications;
  • Need a runtime environment to interpret the code and execute the instructions;
  • Are often platform-specific;
  • Require developers to write less code;
  • Come with a slower total execution time;
  • Mostly have a flatter learning curve thanks to neater, more concise syntax.

5 Scripting Languages to Add to Your Resume

The general rule is, these technologies that have consistently remained in high demand will continue to be popular. Even though they themselves evolve fast, their popularity doesn’t change overnight.

The following five scripting languages have been at the top of everyone’s lists for years now – and they’re not going anywhere.

1. JavaScript

This is the absolute frontrunner among scripting languages thanks to its wide use in web development. It’s just one of the ECMAScript dialects – but it’s by far the most commonly used. (Other dialects include Source, JScript, and ActionScript.)

To put its popularity in perspective, let’s just consider this: over 97% of websites have JS scripts running client-side. It’s also executable in any web browser as all of them now come with a JS engine. This solves any potential compatibility issues.

Although its main purpose is front-end development, JavaScript can also be used for the backend. That’s thanks to NodeJS, a dedicated runtime environment. Furthermore, some database management systems (like MongoDB and MySQL Shell) support JavaScript.

2. Python

Python has remained the second most popular programming language for over six years, since 2014. That’s for a good reason, of course: its syntax is clear and concise. So, developers need to type less when coding with Python while the code itself is neater and easier to read and comprehend.

Python is a general-purpose tool that supports a variety of programming paradigms. Whether you’ve chosen object-oriented, functional, imperative, or procedural programming, Python has got you covered.

As for the most frequent use cases, Python is the go-to option for projects involving machine learning, data analytics, and automation. It’s also widely used in backend web development.

Scripting Languages

3. Ruby

Ruby’s popularity has indeed been steadily declining since 2012. Yet, it’s still the fifth most commonly used language out there, and it’s consistently featured on the top 10 list. So, don’t be too quick to ignore it.

Ruby was conceived as a technology combining object-oriented programming (OOP) and scripting. It allows other paradigms to be used – like functional and imperative programming. But its core principles are based on OOP. For instance, even booleans are objects in Ruby.

As for Ruby’s application, it’s another classic option for backend web development. The likes of Shopify and Airbnb run on Ruby on Rails, a framework powered by Ruby.

4. PHP

Without PHP, there’d be no internet as we know it. This old-timer powers more than 75 percent of all currently active websites on the server-side. WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and other content management systems are also powered by PHP.

There are several reasons PHP found its way into multiple backend web development stacks. It’s open-source, so there’s no need to pay for using it. It’s cross-platform and uses a syntax very similar to C, which makes learning it a lot easier for some developers. The code itself is also neater, simpler, and more organized.

5. R

R may not be the most commonly used tool out there, but it’s got its niche: statistical computing and data analysis. (Don’t confuse it with the runtime environment of the same name.)

The learning curve may be somewhat steeper when it comes to R. Its syntax comes with a number of substantial differences from what you may be used to. For example, R uses <- instead of = as the primary assignment operator.

Still, learning R is worth the effort. It’s a popular choice for developing statistical software applications. So, with the rise of Big Data, the demand for R developers is bound to remain on the rise.

Scripting Languages

Final Words

There are three final pieces of advice any aspiring developer should pay attention to.

First, don’t limit yourself in terms of the number of languages and technologies you learn. Being a specialist in one narrow field is indeed valuable, but it’d be putting all of your eggs into one basket.

Second, remember to learn and evolve together with the technologies. There’s always something changing and shifting, so you should be ready to continuously get yourself up to speed with those changes.

Third, every language is a tool with its specific use cases. Don’t choose what to learn based solely on how popular it is. Instead, ask yourself: would you enjoy working on projects that require those?