> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.outtalent.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.outtalent.com/guides/passing-interviews/coding-interviews/programming-language-for-interviews.md).

# Programming language for interviews

The most popular languages in top large tech companies:

* Software Engineer / Backend Software Engineer / Full-Stack Software Engineer: **Python, C++, Java, or JavaScript**.
* Frontend Software Engineer: **JavaScript**
* iOS software engineer: **Swift, Objective-C**. Google will ask to choose a language like **Python, C++, Java, or JavaScript**.

Please note if you are applying to top tech startups **Ruby** works well too.

While some companies and interviewers will be ok interviewing you in a language outside of that list we highly recommend learning one of these languages because:

* You will be able to apply to a wide range of companies and roles.
* Knowledge of more than one programming language is a good sign while knowing only one language or only older languages is a bad sign.

\
In addition to the most common language functions we recommend learning about:

* An "idiomatic" way - leveraging useful language idioms that other languages don't have (e.g. list comprehensions in Python).
* Object-oriented syntax (e.g. inheritance).
* Lower-level implementation of data structures and algorithms to make sure your code is efficient.
  * In **C++** you need to know how to use pointers efficiently.

Last updated: 2020-06-01.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.outtalent.com/guides/passing-interviews/coding-interviews/programming-language-for-interviews.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.