How many programming languages are there?

To date, there are many programming languages available. The full list is practically endless, and the fact is that only a few languages currently predominate on a global level. How many programming languages are there? As we’ve said, there are hundreds, but only a few are worth getting to know and learning more about.

In this article, we’ll explain a bit more about the types of language, what you need to know and  how many coding languages are there.

Programming language categories:

These are used to run websites, apps, software and all kinds of devices that require computer programming and coding knowledge.

Depending on their purpose, programming languages fall into the following categories:

• Machine language.
• Low-level programming languages.
• High-level programming languages.

In broad terms, machine language is used by any computer and is based on a binary code. Low-level languages can vary according to the computer or machine being used, whereas high-level language uses commands and words (normally in English), which are easy for programmers to understand.

Regarding the last category, high-level programming languages are used for web and app programming. These are created to allow the user or professional to be able to solve complex data processes in a very simple way. This means increased flexibility in being able to use a type of language that’s suitable for humans and not just aimed at being understood by the machine or programmed device itself.

Programming languages that exist (and are used) at the moment

As we’ve already pointed out, there are hundreds of them. These days they’re used by Front End and Back End programmers to programme both the visible part and the code that makes everything work behind a website, app or software. You’re probably familiar with the main ones (C, Python, PHP, JavaScript and Ruby) but there are many more.

Here are some of the different programming languages that exists:

• C, C++ and C#
• Java
• Python
• PHP
• SQL
• Ruby
• Visual Basic. NET
• Programming language R
• TypeScript
• Swift
• Rust
• Go
• Kotlin
• Postscript
• Scheme
• Erlang
• Elixir
• Pascal
• Scala
• Objective-C

As you can see, these are only the main ones, and the list is already very long.

Below, you can see how the level of demand and use of some of these languages has evolved ( Source: TalentUp.io)

Global trends

Programming languages

So, how many programming languages are there? The number of programming languahes is more than 675. However, bear in mind that many of these are obsolete or are only used for very specific types of programming. You can see all of them in this complete list.

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