If you want a programming job , you better ensure you're proficient in SQL, Python, and Java. That's according to the 2024 IEEE Spectrum Top Programming Languages report, which looks at what employers are looking for. Also: The most popular programming languages in 2024 Between the 2022 Top Languages Report and the current 2024 analysis, there have been some changes in the top dozen languages on the jobs list. Java and Python have swapped second and third po