Most profitable programming language?

[Yellow Yam Scam]

Say that I theoretically wanted to learn a programming language for profit.

Which would be the most valuable in the next year or so? What about 5 years from now?

 

[Watcher]

Inb4Python

Personally the only programming language I'm interested in learning is C++. Although I know a lot of responses here are going to be Python.

*cough*@Katsukitty*Cough*

 

[John Furrman]

Fortran, Cobol and know how to write SQL. Seriously, those legacy systems are going to be around for a while longer, and there has always been a demand. Someone has to unfuck bad legacy code if it is a cheaper option for a business. I wouldn't recommend either if you are just learning to program.

 

[ChuckSlaughter]

Java and PLSQL for staying power and high demand
python and ruby are hot right now and easy

Fortran and Cobol.

Yeah but there is only a steady trickle of jobs for these and they're always stuffy workplaces and you'll have to compete with guys who know all of this and know the whole mainframe ecosystem; os400, RPG, and CL. Just because the masters are retiring doesn't mean they don't have a bunch of linux and windows guys at these shops handling their newer infrastructure and getting exposed to this stuff.
Getting good at these languages will be hard too because compared to more popular languages they're not really well suited to the spare time hobby programming where you can really sharpen your skills. Maybe if you like solving math puzzles a lot.

 

[SpessCaptain]

Whatever language anyone is currently learning or has proficiency in.

 

[ChuckSlaughter]

Whatever language anyone is currently learning or has proficiency in.

I use java and groovy mostly

 

[Arkangel]

You don't need to learn a language. All you need is a magnetized needle and a steady hand.

 

[PeteyCoffee]

I want to become capable of programming for every aspect of a complex application. (Full-stack) Which languages should I learn?

Originally I considered simply using JavaScript for almost everything (node.js, etc). However, I heard that might not be a good idea.

 

[Splendid]

C#, C++, C, Java, Python, SQL, JavaScript, PHP, Bash shell, Perl 4, Perl 5 and PowerShell.

These are the languages used 95% of the time.

Don't get led into dumb academic tools like LISP or fanboy bullshit like Forth.

If you know all of those languages up there, you can do literally everything but code device drivers, iOS shit, and mainframe/supercomputer work.
There's a lot of overlap too, and once you've learned your first one, subsequent ones will be easy.

 

[Arctic]

Unless you have some really specific demands, it often comes down to personal preference in the end (Python).

 

[ToroidalBoat]

Sucks that BASIC isn't really in demand anymore like it used to be in the 80s (AFAIK).

 

[Splendid]

Sucks that BASIC isn't really in demand anymore like it used to be in the 80s (AFAIK).

Visual Basic.NET is pretty much interchangeable with Microsoft's other .NET languages, since they all compile to the same code. In fact, one program can have different parts written in C# and VB.
However, C# is more popular. That being said, there are places out there that prefer VB.

 

[sm0t]

What type of work were you thinking of doing? Certain languages are better for making certain kinds of programs than others. C#, C++, JavaScript, and Python are probably the most versatile languages currently, IMO, as most games and apps run on one of those four. I've heard good things about Ruby as well, though I don't have any experience with that one. If you want to get into web coding/design, HTML or PHP seem to be the way to go.

I'm using JavaScript myself to program a game project I've been working on in Unity for a couple months now.

You can also use this list as a jumping-off point.

 

[Shokew]

Definitely Java, PHP, SQL, and the Cs (I've had to do assignments in school involving all but the Cs, so far; Yeah, those are worth learning more than anything else, IMHO.).

 

[Ravenor]

Fortran, Cobol and know how to write SQL. Seriously, those legacy systems are going to be around for a while longer, and there has always been a demand. Someone has to unfuck bad legacy code if it is a cheaper option for a business. I wouldn't recommend either if you are just learning to program.

This, a 1000 times this, there is a lot of older systems in some really really important places that are so specialised that work well but need constant maintenance that need to keep running is amazing, a lot of the guy's who can do it are retiring and the cost to replace the systems out weigh the time and effort they would have to put in to get a modern system half as stable and functional that lasts anyware near as long.

For example I know one company that has a system that run's nearly all of the manufacturing for key plants (think blue oval) that started off as a simple DEC system that has became so specialised it's would be nearly impossible to replace from a technical and business process POV they are willing to pay over the odd's for programmers who can keep it alive.

 

[Splendid]

For example I know one company that has a system that run's nearly all of the manufacturing for key plants (think blue oval) that started off as a simple DEC system that has became so specialised it's would be nearly impossible to replace from a technical and business process POV they are willing to pay over the odd's for programmers who can keep it alive.

I happen to know some COBOL myself...
Are these guys hiring? What's the pay like?

 

[Ravenor]

I happen to know some COBOL myself...
Are these guys hiring? What's the pay like?

Depending on how long you have been doing it £50k up depending on who you work for, the BIG money but higher risk jobs are Banking an Defence.

Here are two job's, that speciffically ask for cobol that are on the first recruitment site I used to advertise on. One / Two

 

[Tookie]

C/PHP/Java are all good for web and mobile apps and in demand at most any tech company.

COBOL/Fortran is a niche you can make a killing in, there are a lot of government systems still running them and they will pay out the nose for someone who knows them. Massive chunks of entitlement databases and other huge mainframes are still running them.

 

[DNJACK]

Learn one well so you can pick up the others as needed.
One scripting and one C-like

 

[Megahertz]

Scratch.