How Many Programming Languages Should I Learn?
How Many Programming Languages Should I Learn? – This is a classic question we get all the times from our students. sometimes even working professionals ask the same. Simple answer from us – Why are you so much bothered about it?
The world is moving to specialization, doesn’t matter how many languages you know. All it matters is – Can you solve real time problems using programming? Sounds different? – Read on!
Some History
Cut to 90s. It was the time when IT revolution started sweeping India. Learning anything related to computer was seen as a hot skill. It was measured by number of programming languages an individual knows.
It was perceived that bigger the laundry list you have, the better job prospects are. However technology has changed a lot in the last two decades.
Specialization has taken center stage. becoming a specialist than a generalist (jack-of-all-trades) is very important to have a successful career.
Specialist V/S Generalist
In the realm of embedded systems programming, despite the emergence of numerous programming languages, C continues to dominate. Similarly, C++ and Java have found popularity in other domains due to their strengths.
For job seekers, specialization in one language is more valuable than having superficial knowledge of many. In embedded systems, a thorough understanding of C is crucial for several reasons:
- C is a middle level language with both high and low-level constructs, making it suitable for hardware interfacing.
- C generates efficient machine code, consuming minimal memory, which is ideal for resource-constrained embedded systems.
- C’s unique functionalities, such as volatile variables and function pointers, enable close interaction with operating systems and system software.
- Due to its middle-level nature, C can easily be ported across different hardware and processor architectures (x86, PPC, ARM, etc.).
Programing Languages – a Problem Solving Tool
Similarly other languages like C++ (Class/Object) and Java (Scalability) offers certain unique advantages that makes it usable for a specific reason.
So when it comes to learning programming languages it is not only about learning the syntax usage and IDE environment usage, but to understand the deeper aspect of the purpose of the language the is been applied for.
This takes the thought process significantly away from seeing programming language as a tool to solve the problem in the best possible and optimized manner.The better an individual knows one language very well to its deepest extent possible, it becomes easier to replicate across various other programming languages.
In Summary
It is crucial to focus on mastering one programming language rather than creating an extensive list. Learning an additional language like Python for scripting can add versatility.
At Emertxe, we prioritize in-depth teaching of programming languages, specifically C for embedded systems and Java for web development, to ensure students are job-ready.
Based on our experience with corporate organizations and interview panels, problem-solving skills through a deep understanding of programming languages are highly emphasized.
| Serial No. | Related Blog Posts | Links |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Future Scope of Embedded Systems : Trends and Predictions | Click Here |
| 2. | Online Free IoT Internship for Engineering Students | Free Certificates |2023 | Click Here |
| 3. | Emertxe Placements in Embedded Systems and Embedded IoT – 2022 (Jan-sept) Report | Click Here |