Top 10 Hardest Programming Language to Learn [Latest]

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what the hardest programming languages to learn are? For developers, mastering some languages can be an uphill battle. It requires both logical thinking and immense patience. Programming languages vary in complexity. Some are very hard to grasp. This blog post will explore the 10 hardest programming languages. We’ll understand why they challenge both new and experienced developers.

For anyone seeking a full-stack development role, these languages are vital. They are also key for those wanting to expand their programming skills. Let’s dive in and uncover the toughest languages out there.

What Is The Hardest Programming Language To Learn

1. Assembly Language

Often regarded as one of the most difficult programming languages, Assembly is a low-level language that operates closely with a computer’s hardware. Developers can manage memory manually, work with registers, and communicate directly with the machine. This makes Assembly incredibly powerful but also complex to learn and use.

Assembly is a low-level language because it doesn’t provide abstractions like variables or complex data structures. Instead, developers work with bits and bytes to manage memory and instructions. 

For example, tasks like addition, subtraction, or simple loops require writing detailed, specific commands in Assembly that would be much simpler in a higher-level language like Java and Python.

Want to know the difference between  Java vs Python? Check out our latest guide for thorough information.

Why it’s hard:

• Operates at a low level, requiring direct hardware manipulation.
• Requires precise memory management.
• Limited abstraction, which makes even simple tasks cumbersome.

Even though it is considered one of the hardest programming languages to learn, Assembly is still used in areas requiring high efficiency, such as embedded systems and systems programming.

2. C++

While C++ is a popular and widely used language, its complexity often overwhelms developers, making it one of the hardest coding languages to learn. C++ combines high-level programming features with low-level manipulation of data structures and memory, providing immense power but demanding a solid grasp of technical concepts.

C++ builds on C, a procedural language, adding object-oriented and template programming capabilities. This gives developers immense flexibility and power to build complex systems but also adds layers of complexity. 

Why it’s hard:

• Requires deep knowledge of memory management (e.g., pointers, manual allocation).
• Complicated syntax and numerous language features (templates, multiple inheritance).
• It quickly leads to bugs and undefined behavior without proper expertise.

With around 24.2% of developers worldwide still using C++ for various projects, its difficulty hasn’t diminished its relevance.

3. Erlang

Erlang was originally developed for telecommunications but has grown in popularity for building distributed, fault-tolerant systems. It is a functional programming language that emphasizes concurrency and high availability, making it suitable for applications that need to scale across many servers. 

Erlang uses an actor-based model for concurrency, which can be a steep learning curve for developers used to traditional threading models.

Why it’s hard:

• Concurrency is managed through actor processes rather than threads, which requires a shift in thinking for many developers.
• Functional programming concepts like immutability and recursion make the syntax and design approach different from imperative languages.
• Erlang is built for distributed systems, which adds complexity in terms of managing processes across multiple servers.

4. Malbolge

If Erlang sounds hard, Malbolge takes things up a notch. Designed to be virtually impossible to code in, Malbolge is an esoteric language intentionally created to confound developers. It took two years before someone managed to write a functioning program in it.

The first Malbolge program took two years for someone to write, even though the language was designed with the intent of making it as confusing as possible. Unlike most programming languages that are built with usability in mind, Malbolge was created as a puzzle for the programming elite, offering no practical applications.

Why it’s hard:

• Unreadable syntax by design.
• Self-altering code, meaning the code changes during execution.
• Extremely complex control flow and encoding.

Malbolge is more of a curiosity for the coding elite than a language anyone would use for practical applications.

5. Scala

Scala combines object-oriented and functional programming into one language, offering a powerful toolkit for complex tasks. However, it’s also known for its steep learning curve, especially for those new to functional programming.

Scala’s integration with Java and its advanced features make it ideal for enterprises with large-scale data. Its complexity means that developers must invest time to discover its full potential. 

Why it’s hard:

• Complex syntax and concepts such as higher-order functions and currying.
• Requires understanding of both object-oriented and functional paradigms.
• The steep learning curve for developers familiar with simpler languages.

Despite its difficulty, Scala remains famous for large-scale data processing applications due to its compatibility with Java and its powerful type system.

6. Haskell

As a purely functional programming language, Haskell introduces developers to a completely different way of thinking about problem-solving. Functions in Haskell are first-class citizens, and everything is expressed in terms of mathematical functions.

Haskell’s ability to create robust and concise code has made it popular in academia and industries like finance and compilers, where mathematical precision is key. Despite its limited mainstream use, Haskell’s elegance and power attract developers looking to work on complex algorithmic problems. 

Why it’s hard:

• Purely functional, meaning no side effects (a concept foreign to many developers).
• Lazy evaluation, which can complicate program flow.
• Abstract syntax and higher-level concepts like monads are difficult for beginners.

While Haskell is not as commonly used as some other languages, it is highly valued in academic settings and specialized industries. 

7. Prolog

Prolog is a logic programming language that is fundamentally different from traditional procedural or object-oriented programming. Rather than writing instructions for the computer, Prolog programmers define relationships and let the language deduce solutions.

Though Prolog has niche applications, such as in expert systems and knowledge representation, its logic-based approach could be more intuitive for many developers.  

Why it’s hard:

• Requires a different programming mindset based on logic and inference.
• Debugging can be difficult due to the declarative nature.
• Limited use outside of specific fields such as AI and computational linguistics.

Though Prolog has niche applications, such as artificial intelligence and database management, its approach is unconventional and challenging for many developers. 

8. Swift

Swift is Apple’s programming language, designed for building apps for iOS and macOS. Although Swift has streamlined many aspects of app development, it is still one of the hardest coding languages for beginners due to its evolving nature.

Why it’s hard:

• Frequent updates and changes to the language make it hard to stay current.
• Strict type system that can be difficult for those coming from more flexible languages.
• There is a high demand for optimized, bug-free code in app development.

Despite its challenges, Swift continues to gain popularity, with over 6.2% of developers using it in 2024. Its strong backing from Apple, combined with a vibrant and supportive community, makes it a valuable language for developers, especially for those looking to build iOS or macOS applications. While the learning curve can still be steep for newcomers, Swift’s growing demand and powerful capabilities make it a worthwhile investment for aspiring developers.

9. Rust

Rust is famous for its safety and performance features. Still, it’s also known for being one of the hardest programming languages to learn. Rust’s unique ownership model, designed to prevent memory leaks, introduces complexity that can be overwhelming.

Why it’s hard:

• Complex memory management system (ownership and borrowing).
• Steep learning curve due to the focus on safety and concurrency.
• It is challenging to master, particularly for developers new to systems programming.

Rust is considered one of the fastest-growing programming languages, favored by companies like Dropbox and Mozilla for building performance-critical applications. Despite its challenges, Rust has a strong following due to its potent mix of speed, safety, and concurrency, but mastering the language takes time and patience. 

10. Ruby

Ruby is a high-level language known for its simplicity, especially in web development frameworks like Ruby on Rails. However, despite being high-level, Ruby has aspects that make it challenging for newcomers.

Why it’s hard:

• Flexibility can lead to confusion; there are often many ways to do the same thing.
• Dynamic typing can introduce runtime errors.
• Highly abstracted, making lower-level operations more challenging to understand.

While not the hardest programming language to learn, Ruby has a unique blend of simplicity and complexity that can be tricky for some developers.

In contrast to the hardest programming languages like Assembly and C++, tools like ReactJS have made front-end web development more accessible by abstracting much of the complexity. You can hire ReactJS developers who can tackle difficult languages and streamline the process of building dynamic web applications.

Are you confused between Vue vs React? Check out our latest blog post for thorough information.

Final Words

Mastering the hardest programming languages is challenging. But it can be very rewarding.  Each language has its challenges. They range from the hardware-level intricacies of Assembly to the high-level abstractions of Haskell and Scala. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, learning these languages can enhance your skills and career.

To those wanting to advance their programming skills, tackling the hardest coding languages can lead to new projects and opportunities. As a leading React JS development company, Artoon Solutions understands that software development can be complex. We can help you to choose ideal languages for your next project. 

Schedule a discovery call to discuss our trusted React JS development services in more detail!

FAQs

1. What is the hardest programming language to learn?

Assembly language is often considered the hardest programming language to learn due to its low-level, hardware-oriented nature. 

2. Why is C++ considered one of the hardest coding languages?

C++ combines both high- and low-level programming features, requiring strong knowledge of memory management, syntax, and language intricacies. 

3. What is the hardest computer language to learn for beginners?

Languages like Brainfuck and Malbolge, due to their abstract and minimalistic designs, are particularly difficult for beginners.

4. Is Swift difficult to learn for iOS app development?

Swift is evolving rapidly, which makes it challenging to keep up with new features and updates. Still, it’s more accessible than many other hard programming languages.

6. Why should developers learn difficult programming languages?

Learning challenging languages improves problem-solving skills and expands career opportunities, especially in fields like AI, systems programming, and high-performance computing.