Custom Application Development

IEC 61131-3 is a programming language standard for programmable logic controllers, industrial-grade digital computers which have been ruggedized and adapted for the real-time control of manufacturing processes. It defines three graphical and two textual programming language standards, including Ladder diagram (LD), Function block diagram (FBD), Structured text (ST), Instruction list (IL) and Sequential function chart (SFC), which has elements to organize programs for sequential and parallel control processing.

One of the most well-established programming languages, Java is used by 9 million developers worldwide. Java’s compatibility ensures its dominance –able to run on any hardware and operating system through the Java Virtual Machine. Java forms the basis of all Android apps and is used by 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies as a server-side language for backend development.

Python is a general-purpose language, used for web development and as a support language for developers. It’s application in machine learning and data mining is driving the growing popularity of Python, making it a worthwhile investment.

JavaScript is used by over 80% of developers and 95% of all websites for any dynamic logic on their pages. Front-end frameworks for JavaScript including React and AngularJS are applicable for IoT and mobile, ensuring JavaScript remains ultra-relevant today.

C++ is a general-purpose scripting language, an extension of the ‘C’ programming language, with objective-orientated, imperative and generic programming features. Although more complex to learn than Python or JavaScript, C++ is still widely used for system/application software, game development, driver, client-server applications and embedded firmware.

Originally developed by Microsoft to run on their .NET platform, C# is a simple, general-purpose multi-platform object orientated language that aims to make development simpler and faster than previous Microsoft languages. C# is widely used in web application development, and has become increasingly popular for mobile development as well.

PHP is a server-side scripting language used largely for web applications, typically to enhance functions too complex for HTML, or to link with MySQL databases. PHP is growing in popularity (today more than 80% of websites use PHP) due to its relevance and ease of use.

Swift was invented by Apple in 2014 for iOS and OS X developers, geared towards app creation. Despite being relatively young, it’s gained huge traction to threaten more established languages, with big names like Yahoo and Linked In using it.

Invented by Google in 2009, Go hasn’t quite reached the population of Swift, but it’s made impressive traction nevertheless, counting SoundCloud, Facebook and UK Government’s official websites among its userbase. Go does a similar job to C++ or Java, but is faster and easier to learn.