In the world of technology, the prevalence of programming languages is constantly changing. Some are gaining tremendous traction, while others are losing ground, but still remain very useful in niche applications. Here’s a list of less popular programming languages (according to the TIOBE Index), that are still worth knowing.
Ada
A programming language developed in the 1980s for use in critical systems, such as aerospace, military and medical software. Although it enjoys a relatively low profile, its emphasis on safety and reliability means, that it continues to be used in projects requiring extreme precision.
Uses:
- aviation systems (e.g. software for Boeing and Airbus aircraft)
- military software
- space mission control
Haskell
Haskell is a functional programming language, benefiting from clean semantics and expressibility. While not the main choice for commercial projects, it finds use in areas requiring high reliability, such as finance and data analysis.
Uses:
- developing fintech apps
- scientific research
- compilers and developer tools
Lua
A lightweight and flexible scripting language, that’s been used in many video game projects and embedded apps. Its simplicity and high performance make it the preferred choice when speed and low resource consumption are vital.
Uses:
- video game development (e.g. Angry Birds, World of Warcraft)
- scripting in embedded apps
- extensibility of existing systems
COBOL
While it seems a relic of the past, COBOL is still widely used in banking and admin systems. Banks and government bodies rely on it for its dependability in processing large volumes of data.
Uses:
- banking systems
- accounting and finance
- integrated administrative systems
Erlang
A language designed with real-time and high-availability systems in mind. It supports large-scale parallel processing, making it outright ‘tailor-made’ for building telecommunications systems and applications requiring high scalability.
Uses:
- telecom systems (e.g. WhatsApp)
- high-traffic web apps
- application servers
Forth
Mainly used in embedded applications. Being minimalist and allowing direct management of resources, it’s ideally suited to systems requiring very few resources.
Uses:
- consumer electronics
- machinery control
- operating systems for specialised equipment
Prolog
Prolog is a declarative programming language, that is based on first-order logic. It ranks as one of the most important languages in the field of artificial intelligence and in knowledge-based systems.
Uses:
- artificial intelligence
- expert systems
- solving logic problems
Julia
Designed primarily for high performance and ease of use. This state-of-the-art language was introduced in 2012 and has quickly gained popularity in the scientific, academic and engineering communities, due to its unique combination of high speed and simplicity of syntax
Uses:
- scientific calculations
- data analysis and statistics
- numerical calculations and optimisation
Nim
A versatile, productive and innovative programming language, that’s designed to combine the efficiency associated with languages such as C, the ease of programming characteristic of high-level languages like Python, and the flexibility to write and extend code.
Uses:
- scientific calculations
- data analysis and statistics
- numerical calculations and optimisation
Scala
Scala (Scalable Language) is a multi-paradigm language, that combines the features of object-oriented and functional programming, enabling you to write both object-oriented and more declarative and mathematical code. Scala is statically typed, which means that type errors are detected at the compilation stage, making the code more secure.
Uses:
- Big Data and data analysis
- stream processing
- finance and banking
Why should you explore these languages?
Little-known programming languages, although they may seem niche, play an important role in the world of technology. Their uniqueness frequently makes them applicable in specialised fields, such as data analytics, embedded application development or the exploration of new programming paradigms. Understanding their capabilities and limitations can not only broaden programming horizons, but also provide a competitive advantage in the job market.
Whether you choose well-known technologies or more niche ones, one thing remains key – your relentless curiosity and willingness to learn. In the dynamic world of IT, adaptability is the most important skill for a software developer.