Top 6 Programming Languages for IoT Projects
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Top 6 Programming Languages for IoT Projects

Published datePublished: Apr 11, 2017 ViewsViews: 12003
Deepak Sinha

Deepak Sinha

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Deepak is a hands-on Technology Leader with expertise in designing software solutions for various successful projects for multinationals. He has total experience of 15+ years and has worked on all the phases of application development and has good experience in open source and mobile technologies. He is passionate on new Technologies and has strong interest on Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence etc.
Top 6 Programming Languages for IoT Projects

Looking for a programming language to use for IoT projects? Having difficulty deciding which to choose? Selecting a language for IoT projects is as difficult as selecting a hardware platform. Here are the top 6 programming languages that are best for IoT projects.

1) C Language

Despite the presence of multiple new languages, C continues to power the world and is still one of the most popular coding languages. C is the 2nd most popular language in 2019, with 15.154% ratings.

One of the most important programming languages in the IoT system is C. This is the lowest layer of software that is close to the hardware. C has been the foundation for many other coding languages over the year. This makes its knowledge of the basic necessity for anyone in the IoT projects. The reason behind this is that it doesn’t require a lot of processing power. C is available on almost every advanced embedded system platform. C is procedural rather than object-oriented as it does not have built-in capabilities. This programming language is compiled making it great for IoT projects.

C Language

It is also the most preferred language for IoT hardware, with low computing power and constrained RAM. Additionally, C is a transparent language and allows you to bend your codes as per your requirement. This allows for greater flexibility that is ideal for IoT development. Another plus point is the portability that C offers. It’s easier for C programs that are written on one system, to run on another.

Level Middle-Level Language
Skills Needed Strong Analytical Skills
Popularity One of the world’s most popular language

 

2) Java

One of the most popular languages in 2019; Java is responsible for helping build almost 3 billion devices. It is the most popular language in 2019, with 16.61% ratings.

Java is the well-known programming languages used by the experts. They consider it is the best choice for IoT as it is known for write once, run anywhere. Developers can easily produce and debug code on their computer. It can be transferred to any chip using Java Virtual Machine. As a result, it can be run on places where JVMs are used and on any other machine as well.

Java programming language

Java has incorporated coding techniques from languages such as Mesa, Eiffel, C, and C++. Java has the built-in capabilities making it object-oriented and portable with the least hardware dependency. Along with this, Java has hardware support libraries that can access generic code.

Level High-Level Language
Skills Needed Problem-solving, Knowledge of OOPS
Platform Web, Mobile, Desktop
Popularity One of the world’s most popular; high demand

 

3) Python

As per the TIOBE index, Python was the programming language of the year in 2018. With a rating of 10.020%, it is also the 3rd most popular language in 2019.

Python programming language

Python is mostly used for writing web applications, but it has gained popularity in the IoT system. It is an interpreted language that offers readability with syntax without compromising the size. This language has a large number of libraries, it can get more stuff done with fewer codes. Python’s clean syntax is suitable for database arrangement. In case your app needs the data to be arranged in a database format or use tables. Python is the right choice available.

Python is the right choice, for data analysis in IoT systems. The language is simple and can be easily deployed. Its large community helps in providing help and libraries as and when required. It is the ideal language for data-intensive applications.

4) JavaScript

JavaScript was the most popular programming language in 2018, according to State of the Developer Nation Report with approx. 9.7M developers using the language.

Java Script programming language

JavaScript is used as the programming language in all the web browsers and HTML. This is a programming language that shares its libraries with the languages. JavaScript makes things easier as it makes the devices interoperable. Most of the work is focused on the servers and hubs that collect information and then store it.

One of the most popular programming languages for IoT, it works the best on a range of environments, and also is dominating in gateways and cloud. It is omnipresent, and its huge community makes it easier for support. It also has an event-driven modality that makes it ideal and more efficient when it comes to sensors.


5) Swift

Swift is the programming language that is used for creating the apps for macOS or Apple’s iOS devices. If you want to interact with the iPhones and iPads with your central home hub, swift is the way. Swift is gaining more fame as a programming language that its processor Objective-C. Apple to achieve its goal of becoming a leader of IoT at home, is building libraries. These libraries can handle much of the work, it will make be easier for developers to focus on the task. While the HomeKit platform handles the integration.

Swift programming language

As mentioned earlier, it is the required language if you want your apps and your IoT software to interact with any of the Apple devices. Since the language became open-sourced in 2017, it is now possible to use the language beyond the Apple ecosystem too.


6) PHP

PHP is being added by the developers to their pile of codes. The code’s main objective is to juggle microservices on the server. They can turn the lowliest thing of the internet into a full web server. With the help of PHP, apps are developed using the GPS Data from IoT devices.

PHP programming language

Therefore, it is difficult to choose anyone from the languages because all are the best. C, Python, Java are the most popular IoT programming languages.

 

Also read:

Top 10 Internet of Things (IoT) trends that will rule in 2020
Comprehensive Guide to IoT Devices You Need to Know

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