What are programming languages and what kinds are there?

Technology / Date: 06-08-2025

Programming language is present in our lives every day, even when most people don't even realize it.
The applications we use on our cell phones, for example, depend on it to perform their functions.
The same goes for the software we use on our computers, electronic games and other types of digital platforms .
There are several types of programming languages on the market, each with its own characteristics.
We will present the main ones throughout this text, especially recommended for those who intend to work with technology .
Follow through to the end to understand the concept and learn about the main programming languages.

Main types of programming languages

Just as there are countless human languages, there are also different types and examples of programming.
As we will see below, each of them serves a purpose — some even more than one — and are indicated for specific purposes.
Now learn about the main programming languages:

Python

Python is one of the high-level programming languages, known for its simple syntax .
It is interpreted, which means that the code is executed line by line by an interpreter.
Therefore, it is considered a versatile language and widely used in various applications due to its simplicity and ease of learning.

JavaScript

In turn, JavaScript is a scripting programming language that runs in the user's browser , essential for web development.
It facilitates dynamic website engagement by interacting with web browsers. By giving pages more interaction, it makes it possible to create dynamic features, games, and applications.
With Node.js, it can also be used on the server-side, making it a versatile option for full-stack web development .

Java

Java code is one of the main compiled programming languages that uses the Java virtual machine (JVM) to run the source code , which in turn is compiled into bytecode.
Known for its portability and security, it is widely used in desktop application development, Android development, and enterprise systems.

PHP

While Javascript and Java operate on the user interface, PHP is a server-side scripting language .
In other words, the PHP code is interpreted on the web server before being sent to the user's browser.
PHP is a programming language that is particularly effective for creating dynamic websites and content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress and web applications.

CSS

The stylesheet language known as Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, is used in conjunction with HTML to regulate how items appear visually on a web page.
It defines properties such as colors, fonts, spacing, and layout.
Therefore, it is essential for web page design and for developers to control the formatting of HTML elements, making websites more attractive and usable .

It is also used in combination with other languages to create responsive web pages that adapt to different devices.

C++

The C++ programming language combines features of object-oriented programming with procedural programming.

It is compiled, which means the code is translated into machine language before execution.

One of its most frequent uses is in the development of systems software, games, desktop applications and embedded systems.

Ruby

A dynamic, high-level programming language, Ruby is also interpreted and is known for its readable syntax and flexibility .

Therefore, it is often used in web development, especially with the Ruby on Rails framework.

Swift

An interesting fact about the Swift programming language is that it was developed by Apple for the development of iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS applications .

Swift is a compiled language, used primarily to create applications for devices from the brand founded by Steve Jobs.

Rust

Rust is an open-source systems programming language that focuses on safety and performance .

It uses an innovative memory management system that combines security with low-level control.

It is particularly used in applications that prioritize security and performance, such as operating systems , game development, embedded systems, and safety-critical software.

Ultimately, it is ideal for projects where failures can have serious consequences.

TypeScript

It is an extension of JavaScript and is compiled to JavaScript, adding static types to this language, which increases its security.

For this and other reasons, it is widely used in web development to create front-end and back-end applications .

Additionally, it is often used with frameworks like Angular.

Kotlin

A popular choice for Android development, Kotlin is also used in web development, desktop applications, and servers, and is known for its conciseness and readability .

Its interoperability with Java makes it a practical choice for developers who want to take advantage of this ecosystem and increase productivity.

Perl

Known for its emphasis on string manipulation and regular expressions , the Perl language allows you to perform complex programming tasks with just a few lines of code.

Therefore, it is a code used in task automation, text processing, data analysis, and server scripting.

It is especially valuable in Unix and Linux environments , where it is used to perform operations on files, process logs, and automate administrative routines.

R

The R language uses open source code and a software environment for statistical calculations and data analysis .

It is an interpreted code, widely used for statistical modeling in data science .

It is a popular choice for data visualization and experimentation, widely used by research and business professionals to gain insights from complex data sets.

MATLAB

Unlike other codes, MATLAB is a programming environment, although it is also an interpreted language, aimed at numerical calculations and data analysis .

It is well known for its vast library of mathematical functions, used in engineering, physics, mathematics and applied sciences in general.

Therefore, it is a common choice in academic and industrial environments .

Scala

A high-level compiled programming language, Scala is based on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) , with object-oriented programming capabilities.

Like other languages, it is most used in web development, especially with the Play framework.

It is also applied in distributed and parallel systems due to its scalability capacity .

Its interoperability with Java makes it an attractive choice for companies already using that platform.

Moon

Lua is an interpreted scripting language, designed to be lightweight and embeddable into other programs .

Its simplicity and performance make it ideal for incorporation into software, used primarily as a scripting language in games, embedded applications, and automation systems.

It is the programming language of several popular games , such as World of Warcraft, and is used to create extensions and mods.

Dart

Also created by Google, Dart code is a high-level language , compiled to native code or interpreted through the Dart VM environment.

It has a syntax similar to other languages, making it relatively easy to learn.

It has become known for being the main language for developing mobile applications with the Flutter framework and for creating cross-platform applications , including iOS, Android and web.