Best programming language for finance and fintech | Columbia Engineering Boot Camps (2024)

The fintech industry has grown to exciting heights over the past decade, expanding to produce everything from efficient mobile banking apps to blockchain-encrypted data storage. As a result, more and more career opportunities are emerging for ambitious fintech professionals.

A 2019 PwC survey of more than 500 companies found that 80 percent of telecommunications companies and 75 percent of financial services firms are creating fintech jobs. But 42 percent of these companies "have difficulty filling these positions," PwC writes.

How can you respond to this demand and create an exciting new career? One way to stand out to employers is to learn the best coding languages ​​for finance. Programming skills are essential for creating forecasting models, developing trading algorithms, building new apps and tools for clients, and more.

But where do you start? This article introduces some leading fintech programming languages, discusses their various applications and features, along with useful resources for further information.

1.Python
2.Java
3.C++

4.C#
5.Rub in
6.SQL

1. Python

Python is influential in fintech, which is not surprising as it is considered one of the most importantmost popular programming language in the world, according to Google searches cataloged by PyPI.

HackerRank takes noticePython is the second most requested languagewhat employers refer to in job interviews. Furthermore, according to the HackerRank survey, Python ranks first among fintech interviews and third in finance.

Python is a popular fintech language because it is simple, flexible, and one of the easiest coding languages ​​to learn, especially for beginners. Professionals use the language across industries, and as a result, more than 51 percent of hiring managers use the languagelook for candidates who know Python, according to HackerRank.

Furthermore, Python's syntax is relatively clear and easy to read - an important point when writing programs and applications to solve complex economic problems. Python can also scale to meet the needs of many different financial companies, from small startups to global banking and trading companies.

Python's large library oftools and packagesmakes life much easier for programmers and saves them time and effort building projects from scratch.Python's functionality and range of resourceshas made it useful in data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, which power key technologies in financial services. These features also make Python one of the best programming languages ​​for quantitative finance.

As you learn more about programming languages, pay attention to how often Python appears in curricula. For example, Columbia Engineering Coding, Data Analytics, and FinTech Boot Camps all include Python in their curriculum. These bootcamps can provide a great introduction to the most highly regarded coding languages ​​in today's business world.

Additional Resources

• Python and its basics—Columbia Engineering Bootcamps
• A beginner's course in Python—liberated code camp
• How to find and install the best Python packages—PyPI.org

2. Java

Java is the top-rated programming language in the financial world, according to HackerRank, for reasons that reflect its general popularity in the industry. The language has a friendly learning curve, can handle significant amounts of data, and has strong security features. These features have contributed to thisJava's popularity in banking and financefor more than 25 years - and because Java has been used for so long, it remains a key language even as new languages ​​emerge.

Java is a common language, which means it can be used to write programs and apps for different purposes. Because of its versatility (Java appears on websites, mobile devices, and internet-enabled devices), Java has helped revolutionize the way we shop and bank. Programmers use the language to build e-commerce platforms, banking apps and trading algorithms in quantitative finance.

Java's continued popularity also stems from its“Write once, run anywhere”platform. This means that programs written in Java can run on any machine. Portability is important in the financial industry, where programmers, businesses and consumers can all use different devices and operating systems.

To summarizeJava's Endurance, writes Red Hat Software Senior Solutions Architect Leon Matthews: “There's a reason why Java has stood the test of time and remains so widely used in banking. In addition to being considered one of the more secure programming languages, It is also one of the most secure programming languages." most robust and one of the fundamental programming languages ​​for innovations in the banking sector."

Additional Resources

• Learn Java yourself—Code Academy
• Essential Java Skills for Students—Java
• Practice coding in Java—CodeGym

3. C++

C++ is another experienced programming language, with roots in a dissertation project in the late 1970s. Bjarne Stroustrup attempted to add object-oriented programming to C without changing the speed or functionality of the language. The result was C++.

C++ is considered very fast, partly because it is acomposite language, which means that a compiler translates its code into machine language. Because the computer needs fewer translations to understand the code you write, it works more efficiently.

Many companies, including financial institutions, have been using C++ for years to develop software, operating systems and other products. This longevity has embedded C++ in many industries, including those in finance and fintech. It is also often used in quantitative finance. Furthermore, developers have built thousands of libraries and tools to complement its use. And despite his age,C++ is a favorite language for machine learning and artificial intelligenceagain because of his speed.

Now C++ has a steeper learning curve - the website cplusplus.com says the language can work"slightly more cryptic"than others based on the use of special characters. But C++ has proven its staying power in the financial world and seems here to stay.

Additional Resources

• The official website for C++—isocpp.org
• C++ tutorial for beginners—gratis codecamp
• Learn C++ from scratch—Pedagogical

4. C#

C# (pronounced "see sharply") is a next-generation version of C++ that also has a strong position in fintech (the fourth language) and finance (ranked fifth),according to HackerRank. C# is an object-oriented language used to build dynamic applications that run in the Microsoft .NET ecosystem. Like C++,C# has its origins in the C language family, and programmers familiar with C++ and Java will find it familiar. That's why C# is another practical programming language for people in finance and fintech.

C# is an important languagefor companies building applications on Microsoft's .NET development framework. The language was created specifically for the framework, making app building simple and secure. It also benefits from a large user community and library of tools. Many developers therefore recommend Microsoft's .NET as a framework for fintechmakes C# a core component.

Additional Resources

• Try C#—Microsoft
• C# tutorial for beginners—gratis codecamp
• Head First C#—Andrew Stellman en Jennifer Greene

5. Ruby

The creators of Rubycall it a language that focuses on 'simplicity and productivity'. Maybe that's the reason >companies – especially startups – in the world of digital finance use Rubyin combination with the Ruby on Rails framework.Developers quoteease of use (which saves time and money) and the frame's built-in security features are the main reasons for their preference.

Ruby is a free open source language launched in 1995. Its creator, Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto, said that hetried to develop a languagethat "is simple in appearance, but very complex inside, just like our human body." Ruby's popularity grew with the development ofRuby on Rails-framework, which is widely used in web application development.

Ruby shares many programming features that are important to fintech – especially speed, security and flexibility.Programmers use Rubyto build many types of financial products, including payment systems and dashboards. The Rails framework helps simplify the code writing process and further accelerate the product creation process. For startups looking to create their first MVP (minimum viable product),Ruby is considered a strong language choice.

Additional Resources

• The Official Guide to Ruby—Rub in
• Using Ruby on Rails—Ruby on rails
• Ruby programmeertutorial—Derek Banas

6. SQL

SQL is different from other programming languages ​​mentioned here. You will not build websites or applications with it. But SQL is essential to finance and fintech because it leverages the power of databases, making it an essential tool for people working in finance.

SQL (commonly pronounced "continue") is one of the main languages ​​used to communicate with databases. While Python, Java and other programming languages ​​are general purpose, SQL is considered domain specific. It mainly works with relational databases to store, locate, retrieve and manipulate data in them.

Financial institutions generate enormous amounts of data that they need to analyze. And professionals working in business, marketing, sales and finance understand the importance of good data analysis to their success. SQL is the channel to that success. It is part of the data processing platforms used in statistical modeling and is an emerging skill among financial analysts.

It's not that strangeprofessional developers have made SQL their third most used language, according to a 2020 Stack Overflow study. In short, if you want to become a better financial analyst,consider learning SQL.

How do you learn programming for finance and fintech?

Ready to acquire some new programming skills to get started, advance, or transition into a fintech career? If so, you probably have questions like where to start. Learning to code is a process that people can approach in different ways: they can study programming in college, learn how to learn on their own, or enroll in a bootcamp for a concentrated, collaborative course that offers a focused approach.

Below are some leading methods for learning financial and fintech-oriented programming skills:

Bootcamps

Bootcamps are short, intensive training courses, often delivered online, that focus on the in-demand technical skills demanded by today's employers. Their curricula, which are typically completed in a span of three to six months, can focus on coding, data analytics, fintech and other tech disciplines, offering robust learning opportunities and hands-on experience.

Consider these three bootcamp options to study programming for finance and fintech. Each offers a unique path that may appeal to you depending on the career path you chart:

Columbia Engineering Coding Bootcamp

This bootcamp focuses on the key skills needed for a career in full-stack web development. Browser-based technologies such as JavaScript, HTML and CSS are of course essential and form the basis of web development.

The course also goes beyond full development and covers some of the most important skills in finance and fintech. Working with databases is part of the technical phase of the curriculum, and a free follow-up phase covers Python, Java, C# and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The bootcamp offers these courses through asynchronous content available one year after completion of the bootcamp. These free courses are project-based, allowing students to continue their professional development and expand their portfolio. This bootcamp may be a good choice for students, regardless of coding experience, who are considering web development and may want to apply those skills to a career in finance or fintech.

Columbia Engineering Data-analyse Bootcamp

The Data Analytics Bootcamp prepares students for a career as a data and business analyst or as an entry-level data scientist. These positions are crucial in the financial sector.

This 24-week part-time bootcamp covers many of the necessary fintech skills we covered. Python is a big focus, as are SQL and machine learning. It also delves into basic metrics, including modeling and forecasting.

Data professionals working in the corporate world can consider this bootcamp as a way to advance their careers. Although no coding experience is required, the bootcamp recommends that applicants have a bachelor's degree or at least two years of experience in finance, business, statistics or a related field.

Columbia Engineering FinTech Bootcamp

This bootcamp focuses on financial technology and analytics over a 24-week course, the second module of which will be of particular interest to fintech students. During this financial programming session, participants will learn Python, SQL, financial modeling and statistical programming. The module also covers Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and performing financial analysis with them.

Like the data analytics bootcamp, the fintech bootcamp does not require coding experience, but a bachelor's degree or at least two years of work experience in finance, statistics or a related field is recommended.

Traditional degrees

College remains a favorite path for those entering the financial world, especially students just beginning their education. And quantitative analysis is a popular major for students who want to merge their passions for finance and technology.

Quantitative Analysts (or"How many") use their mathematical, statistical and programming skills for banks, investment firms, asset managers and insurance companies. They can pursue a degree in economics or finance, but may also consider engineering, computer science, or other degrees that emphasize mathematical training.85 percent of quantitative analystshave a college degree and 37 percent have a master's degree or higher, according to CareerOneStop.

College degrees continue to have value in the technology fieldalmost 62 percent of developershas a degree in computer science, computer engineering or software engineering, according to Stack Overflow. And how popular is Python in university computer science departments? Thislist of worldwide schools that teach Pythonemphasizes the question of language on campus.

Independent learning opportunities

Do you want to learn solo? You are not alone. About 16 percent of developers in the 2020 Stack Overflow survey preferred itsubmit formal training.

There are plenty of books, videos and online tutorials for those who want to learn Python, Java, C++ or any programming language valuable to finance and fintech.PythonInJavafor example, by offering tools to help students get started. Moreeducational communitiesProvide low-cost or free, self-paced learning opportunities for coding newcomers or career transitions in multiple financial areas. And professional sites like LinkedIn have built courses on just thatPython and other financial programming skills.

Independent learning can work for motivated self-starters who like a challenge and know what they want to learn. For those who need more structure or a broader approach, college may be the better option. In the meantime, students with a desire to succeed and a desire to focus on the essential programming skills for financing may want to consider a bootcamp. The choice is yours, so start programming.

For more information, seeColumbia Engineering Bootcamps.

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