Programmers are in high demand in today’s job market, and the jobs pay well. But even if you don’t want to pursue programming as a career, learning to code can still be beneficial, especially for jobs in web design, digital marketing, business, and IT. However, with so many programming languages to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to learn. Fortunately, Udacity.com has created an infographic that can help you make that decision. In this article, we will delve a little deeper into each category and provide specific recommendations based on your interests and career goals.

If you love to travel and want to work from anywhere, web languages like Python would be a great choice. These languages are versatile and widely used, making it easier to find remote work opportunities. Additionally, it would be beneficial to learn cloud platforms like Heroku, BlueMix, and Azure, as these can provide a high-level overview of cloud computing. Amazon AWS is also worth knowing, but it has a steeper learning curve compared to the other options.

If you are interested in making physical things, there are two popular hobbyist prototyping boards: Raspberry Pi and Arduino. Raspberry Pi is a better starting point because Python, the language used with Raspberry Pi, is easier to learn than C, which is used with Arduino. However, if you want to work with hardware, learning C (and C++) is ultimately unavoidable. For personal “Internet of Things” projects, it may be easier to buy a cheap iPhone or Android with a broken screen. You can use IBM’s BlueMix IoT demo to track your smartphone’s position and vibration without any programming knowledge.

To increase your pay as a programmer, it is helpful to learn niche enterprise systems like Hadoop and Spark, which are big data systems. Many places offer free resources to learn these technologies, such as IBM’s Big Data University or EdX.org.

Even if your chosen career isn’t programming, having some programming knowledge can still be beneficial. For IT and web design, it is recommended to learn HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript. These languages are essential for website creation and customization. Additionally, learning either PHP, Visual Basic, or ASP.net can be useful for creating custom apps or websites. These languages are easy to learn and can help you quickly develop something useful.

If you’re pursuing a career in IT, learning HTML and PowerShell would be beneficial if you use Windows, while HTML and bash scripting would be useful for Linux. While programming skills are not necessary to make a lot of money in IT, knowing how to script can give you an edge in the field.

For web designers, it is important to learn CSS-based languages like SASS, as well as JavaScript. Node.js, a runtime environment for executing JavaScript code, is also worth learning as it has a growing market and is in high demand. It is important to specialize in JavaScript and learn it in depth to stay competitive in the job market.

When considering the chart provided by Udacity, it is worth noting that the demand for Node.js has been increasing, and hiring someone with solid Node.js experience can be challenging. As more people learn Node.js, the market may cool off slightly. Beginners should start with traditional JavaScript and gradually move on to Node.js.

In conclusion, programmers indeed have an easy life with tons of job opportunities and high salaries. Learning to code, even if you don’t pursue programming as a career, can be beneficial for various industries and job roles. The choice of programming language depends on your interests, career goals, and specific industry requirements.