Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Here are the Top IoT Programming Languages
2.1.
Java
2.2.
C Language
2.3.
Python
2.4.
JavaScript
2.5.
Swift
2.6.
PHP
3.
Frequently Asked Questions
3.1.
Do we need coding for IoT?
3.2.
Why JavaScript is used in IoT?
3.3.
What is IoT programming?
3.4.
Which IoT platform is JavaScript?
3.5.
How do you program microcontrollers?
4.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024
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Top Programming Languages for IoT Development

Author vishal teotia
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Introduction

It may become harder to determine which tools are best suited for different tasks as the Internet of Things (IoT) develops. The relative popularity of programming languages can also be difficult to estimate without knowing the prerequisites.

Finally, getting a sense of which IoT programming languages are most popular among 6.2 million IoT developers is even riskier.

There is a lack of information about the topic. However, if you are ready to scour corporate websites and IoT blogs, and if you are willing to look back a few years, some dominant characteristics will emerge. It is predicted that the IoT market will grow by 10% per year until 2030 as the number of developers grows. There are several programming languages commonly used in IoT.

Here are the Top IoT Programming Languages

Java

IoT developers benefit from Java's multiple features. In the early days of non-desktop computing, this was mainly used for the development of set-top boxes.

Java is well known for its advantages. The Java Virtual Machine enables developers to debug their codes on their desktop, then move them to other chips that have a Java Virtual Machine. As a result, the code can also be run on smaller machines in addition to servers and smartphones.

It is possible to send this code to very small embedded machines via Java SE Embedded, allowing developers to take advantage of the latest features of the Java 8 platform.

The embedded Java version works very well, even on chips that seem limited, according to several open-source projects such as Pi4J and BlueJ.

C Language

Many low-level developers, especially those with previous hardware experience, still prefer the C language despite its sometimes-indigestible syntax and countless mistakes.

To obtain the best performance from a weak device, each or such part of the code can be modified in order to carry out a lot of tests.

All bits can be reversed, and all values in stack are accessible. Because the C language does not offer many safety nets, it is best to avoid making too many mistakes.

C is still a popular language among CTOs for resource-constrained devices, including basic task schedulers.

The C language can also be used on more advanced devices or larger devices, but Java is increasingly being preferred in these cases.

The majority of smartphone programming is still done in Objective C, but Swift is on its way to surpassing it.

Python

IoT programming languages have been dominated by Python for two years and currently lead the general classification.

Developers can choose the language that makes their lives easier for small devices with enough memory and computing power, and Python is becoming more and more popular.

Python is highly practical for IoT development, not only because it is easy to learn but also because it has a large community behind it.

Python developers are attracted to its simplicity and clear syntax. Microcontrollers such as Raspberry Pi, the most popular on the market, are most easily programmed with Python.

Many schools teach computer programming with this platform because of the documentation written in Python.

It is perfectly possible to develop tools from the same libraries used in schools if the project is relatively simple and doesn't require a lot of power.

The MicroPython, for example, is a microcontroller optimized to run Python in bare metal and offers a low-level operating system for controlling any type of electronic device.

JavaScript

It may surprise you to hear that JavaScript is quite popular for IoT app development. The majority of developers use Node.Js to build servers, gateways, and hubs that collect and store data. Node.JS is usually suitable for smaller hubs and sensors running on Linux.

Despite the fact that the majority of Node JS code runs on larger machines, several efforts are made to make it work on smaller devices.

Some microcontrollers can run JavaScript, which allows developers to build IoT devices without having to learn a new language.

Swift

Developing iOS and macOS applications is becoming more and more popular with Swift gradually overtaking Objective C.

This language appears quite often in the IoT stack due to its prevalence on the market. Swift will likely be used in the application to connect an object with an iPhone or iPad.

To prepare for the connected home of the future, Apple has created numerous booksellers and an infrastructure that will facilitate the handling of development.

Apple's HomeKit platform supports the integration of data flows from a network of compatible devices. In this way, HomeKit can oversee the integration while you focus on the details.

PHP

We can wonder if PHP's popularity for IoT development is due to the fact that it withstands the weight of years on the web. On the other hand, PHP is ideal for managing microservices.

In addition, a low level of interest is also evident in the language. In order to transform the lowest level of the Internet into a full-fledged web server, a few Raspberry Pi developers are considering setting up a complete LAMP stack running on Linux with Apache, MySQL, and PHP.

A LAMP stack can be installed on a Raspberry Pi if it has enough cycles. The server-side code that has been developed over the past 20 years can be transferred to a small sensor.

This method isn't very orthodox, but it's clearly effective, so why not take advantage of it?

Must Read PHP Projects With Source Code

You can also read 8051 Microcontroller Pin Diagram here.

Read more  R Programming language

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need coding for IoT?

In order to create a successful IoT module, many programming languages are used. In order to work, the devices need software that contains instructions to operate.

Why JavaScript is used in IoT?

Asynchronous code execution and the ability to respond to events make JavaScript an excellent choice for developing IoT solutions. 

What is IoT programming?

The IoT (Internet-of-Things) is a system of interconnected computing devices, providing unique identifiers and the ability to send and receive data over a network. Programming for IoT is normally a polyglot (multiple languages) effort.  

Which IoT platform is JavaScript?

Javascript is used to write the IBM Watson IoT-Nodejs platform. 

How do you program microcontrollers?

Programming microcontrollers is usually done in higher-level languages, such as C++ and Java. An integrated development environment (IDE) is an essential tool for programming microcontrollers.

Conclusion

The top IoT programming languages are clearly well-recognized, but rivals have their own advantages and applications. Java is the most popular programming language for IoT applications. It can run on a wide range of machines, including backend systems, mobile applications, and the cloud.

Most embedded IoT devices are programmed in the C language, whereas the C++ language is generally the preferred choice for more complex Linux implementations. Python is perfect for data-intensive applications.

In terms of sub-areas of IoT development, JavaScript and Python follow closely behind Java as the most popular languages. On the web, the most common prognosis is that IoT development is multi-language, a trend that will probably persist.

Check out this link if you want to explore more about IoT.

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