Is it worth learning multiple programming languages?

Contents:

• Who is a polyglot programmer?
• What can "IT" polyglotism give?
• Embrace the Immeasurable: How to Remain on the Sidelines of the IT Industry, Knowing Everything About It
• Does the IT Market Really Require Knowledge of Several Programming Languages?

In 2021, the talent shortage is forcing companies to sometimes overlook a lack of experience on candidates' resumes. However, filling vacant positions remains challenging. Beginning IT professionals increasingly realize that simply knowing a programming language is no longer enough. Employers also demand an understanding of frameworks, a confident command of development tools, and the ability to adapt to various methodologies. Junior IT professionals are especially apprehensive when a job description includes an additional language that is difficult to master quickly. Therefore, it is important not only to learn programming but also to actively develop related skills to improve your chances of finding employment in a competitive environment.

In such situations, many people may feel lost. Some abandon the idea of ​​becoming a programmer, while others, in a panic, begin searching for information on the most in-demand programming languages, eager to master them to avoid missing out on promising projects with good pay. It is important to consider how justified these ambitions are and whether it is really worth the effort to learn several programming languages. Understanding the current market demands and your own career goals will help you understand this issue. Learning popular languages ​​can open up new opportunities and increase your competitiveness, but it is also important to consider the depth of your understanding of the technologies and the quality of your mastery, not just the number of languages ​​you learn.

Disclaimer: This article represents the author's subjective opinion and is not an exhaustive analysis of the market situation.

Who is a polyglot programmer?

First, it is important to define the term "polyglot". This concept is quite vague, and linguists differ on how many languages ​​and at what level you need to know to be considered a polyglot. Fluency in four or more foreign languages ​​can be taken as the minimum threshold.

In our understanding, an "IT" polyglot is a specialist who confidently writes code in four or more programming languages. Such professionals easily find employment in large companies where these languages ​​are the primary development languages. Proficiency in several programming languages ​​opens up broad career opportunities and allows for adaptability to a variety of IT projects. This quality is particularly valued by employers, as multilingual programmers are able to effectively solve complex problems and integrate into diverse teams.

It is important to correctly identify the programming language. In this case, we exclude markup and specification languages ​​such as HTML, XML, CSS, and SQL, as well as formal and declarative languages. These skills are not considered core programmer skills. Furthermore, frameworks and development platforms should not be emphasized, as they are auxiliary tools that a programmer must be able to use, but are not programming languages ​​in themselves.

A polyglot programmer is a specialist who is proficient in four or more programming languages. Such developers possess a broad range of knowledge and experience, which allows them to effectively solve a variety of software development problems. Polyglots can work with a variety of technologies and platforms, making them valuable assets for companies striving for innovation and quality in their products. Proficiency in multiple programming languages ​​facilitates flexibility in development approaches and enhances a specialist's competitiveness in the job market.

What can IT polyglotism give you?

By learning several programming languages, you begin to understand their strengths and weaknesses. For example, when switching from Python to JavaScript, I noticed that the Django framework generally scales better than similar solutions on Node.js. However, it is worth noting that Node.js provides higher performance in some tasks. Such comparisons help developers more clearly prioritize their work and identify potential shortcomings of the programs they are developing. This knowledge allows them to make more informed choices of tools and technologies, which ultimately affects the quality and efficiency of the final product.

Experience with various programming languages ​​can be a key advantage for career advancement to the level of a senior developer or even a company manager. A variety of knowledge allows for a deeper understanding of the development market and its changes, which in turn contributes to more informed decision-making. For example, while your competitors continue to use outdated tools, you can opt for new and promising technologies. This confidence is only possible if you have a good understanding of modern tools and understand the reasons why old solutions are becoming less relevant. This approach will not only increase your competitiveness but also help your company stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing world of development.

Gaining development experience in different programming languages ​​can be achieved more effectively by working with them over different periods of time. This means focusing on one or more languages ​​for several years and then switching to learning and practicing others. This approach allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the specific features of each language and develop your programming skills.

Brain development, including thinking, concentration, and memory skills, is an important aspect of personal growth. However, this argument is debatable, as the time spent on these activities can also be used to learn English. Learning English not only develops intelligence but also opens up access to the international market and new opportunities. Therefore, it's important to weigh the benefits of different development approaches to choose the most practical and effective path to achieving your goals.

Learning multiple programming languages ​​is impossible without engaging with language communities. C# and Java developers differ not only in their experience levels but also in their thinking, perspectives, and approaches to problem solving. Interacting with a variety of specialists not only deepens your IT knowledge but also develops soft skills, which are especially valuable in large companies. These skills, such as communication, teamwork, and creativity, are becoming key in today's software development world.

Learning multiple programming languages ​​deepens your understanding of your primary language and expands your horizons in IT. This knowledge can be useful for career advancement and improving your teamwork skills. However, the benefits of this approach are not always obvious, and it is important to consider the risks, which will be discussed below.

Embracing the Immeasurable: How to Stay on the Sidelines of the IT Industry Despite Knowing Everything

If you've decided to become a professional developer by mastering programming languages ​​such as C++, Kotlin, Swift, Python, Java, Ruby, Go, Scala, C#, and TypeScript, as well as their frameworks and libraries, an important question arises: why bother? Small companies may not require the use of all these technologies, while in large corporations, development is often divided into separate projects that require specific skills. However, knowledge of various programming languages ​​and technologies opens up wide opportunities for career growth and allows you to adapt to diverse market requirements. By mastering multiple languages, you become a more versatile specialist, which increases your competitiveness and allows you to select the most interesting and promising projects.

Even if you are fluent in several programming languages ​​and possess in-depth knowledge, this does not always lead to a higher salary. Salaries in IT are determined not only by skill level but also by the volume of work performed. It is physically impossible to maintain high quality in all tasks simultaneously. Therefore, it is important not only to develop technical skills but also to effectively manage your time and resources to achieve maximum results.

Imagine your skills enabling you to manage an entire web studio. This may sound impressive, but for an experienced manager, such a solution is ineffective from a management perspective. Building a business on one person is a risky strategy. If one coder leaves a team of 20, you can temporarily bring in a middle or senior full-stack developer to replace them. However, if the polyglot responsible for all development leaves, you'll have to find an entire team, which will lead to process stagnation and financial losses. Effective management requires a balanced team to minimize risks and ensure business stability.

Multitasking specialists could certainly find their place in IT giants, but it's not so clear-cut. Corporations already hire top professionals, and attracting employees who are responsible for many processes may prove unprofitable. From a business perspective, it makes more sense to distribute tasks among the team, which minimizes the risks associated with staff losses and various force majeure situations. This approach promotes efficient work and improves the overall stability of the company.

Learning 20 additional languages ​​is unlikely to double your income. In fact, striving to master multiple languages ​​can even negatively impact your career. Achieving professional proficiency in several languages ​​simultaneously is extremely difficult, as languages ​​are constantly evolving and require regular refresher training. Instead of consistently learning one language after another, you will have to work on several simultaneously, which can lead to superficial mastery and a decrease in competence.

Regular practice and refresher training are key factors for successful programming language proficiency. Without proper attention, these skills can become practically useless after a few years. As you learn new languages, mastering them will take up increasingly more time, distracting you from real work. A language you don't spend enough time with can start to lose relevance, and during periods of intense workload, your mind can become confused and disorganized. Therefore, it is important not only to learn new technologies, but also to regularly return to the languages ​​you already know to maintain and develop your skills.

In practice, knowing multiple programming languages ​​may be of little use. Even if you master 20 languages ​​and maintain them at a professional level, over time some of them may be forgotten. This can lead to syntax confusion when writing code. Instead of striving for quantity, it is better to focus on a deep understanding of a few key languages, which will improve the quality of your code and simplify the development process.

Does the IT market really require knowledge of several programming languages?

Let's return to the minimum threshold. Knowledge of four languages ​​seems more realistic than twenty. How often do IT companies look for such specialists? To answer this question, I analyzed several hundred vacancies on hh.ru. Most positions with a salary of 150 thousand rubles or more have similar requirements.

For someone just starting to learn programming or wanting to learn C++, the plethora of technical terms can seem daunting. However, an experienced C++ developer understands that concepts like STL, Boost, and MFC are simply libraries, while Qt is a framework. The position requires knowledge of only one programming language—C++. This is already a significant achievement in the Russian software development labor market. By mastering C++, you open the door to a multitude of opportunities and prospects in the IT world.

Once you master a programming language, you'll be able to quickly grasp frameworks and libraries. It's similar to the situation where you're fluent in English but need to adapt your speech to a regional accent and learn to write concise Twitter messages. While this will require some effort, the goal is to expand your knowledge, not to learn a completely new language like Arabic. If you're a budding programmer looking for a job, be sure to check out the job requirements — just a few hours of online research might get you closer to your dream.

Other job postings may have requirements for the following aspects:

We've already covered the basics of HTML and CSS. React, Vue.js, and Node.js are essential tools in the context of a JavaScript-focused position. It's worth noting that a basic understanding of C++ is not required, but would be a plus. Knowledge of Go is also not required if you are proficient in Node.js. Therefore, the mandatory programming language requirements for this position are minimal.

Jobs that require knowledge of three programming languages ​​are rare. If you come across a job posting that requires advanced knowledge of four programming languages, this may indicate an incorrect job description or a lack of competence on the part of the employer. It is important to remember that adequate employers usually look for specialists with deep knowledge of one or two languages, which corresponds to the real needs of the projects.

From a practical standpoint, learning four or more languages ​​may not be practical, as there aren't many jobs for polyglots on the job market. However, knowing one or two additional languages ​​can be quite useful. It's important to clearly define your professional goals, choose key languages ​​that match your field, and delve into those that interest you most. Additional language skills will expand your career opportunities and help you solve a wider variety of problems.

If you aspire to become a polyglot programmer and expand your horizons in development, it's important to approach this process wisely. Don't forget the importance of the programming languages ​​you already master. Make sure learning new languages ​​doesn't distract you from working with those necessary for your current tasks. A balance between learning new technologies and deepening your knowledge of the languages ​​you already know will help you become a more successful and sought-after specialist in the programming world.