Certain tools, such as indexes, help understand: Which is the most popular programming language? These indices analyze programming languages based on:
- Ranking in search engines and social media platforms
- Job advertisem*nts mentioning the language
- Open-source projects in the given language
- Videos on the language
- Students enrolled to learn the language.
Indices to track the metrics:
PYPL Index
In the PYPL Popularity of Programming Language index, the metrics are based on Google Trends, reflecting the developers’ search patterns for a particular programming language’s tutorials.
The top four ranked coding languages by PYPL in 2022 are Python, Java, JavaScript, and C.
TIOBE Index
TIOBE Programming Community Index ranks the top languages based on the number of searches done in popular search engines like Google, YouTube, Bing, Wikipedia, Amazon, and more.
The top four languages with the highest ratings by TIOBE are Python, C, Java, and C++.
IEEE Spectrum
IEEE generates rankings combining 11 metrics from the top eight sources like Google, GitHub, Twitter, Stackoverflow, Reddit, Hacker News, Career Builder, and IEEE Xplore Digital Library. Searches are sorted on the basis of trending, job searches, and custom ranking.
The top four languages ranked by IEEE in 2021 are C, C++, Java, and JavaScript.
Stackoverflow Developer Surveys
Stackoverflow is an in-demand Q&A website for developers. The top four languages ranked by Stackoverflow in 2021 are JavaScript, HTML/ CSS, SQL, and Python.
What are the best languages to learn?
Top in-demand programming languages
After a basic understanding of the programming levels, types of programming languages, and indices to analyze their popularity, let’s dive into the best programming languages to learn in 2024.
1. Python
For years, Python has remained the most popular programming language. Python’s popularity grew when big tech companies like Netflix, Facebook, and Khan Academy started using it as their major programming language.
Python can do several tasks, from simple scripting to advanced web applications and artificial intelligence. Google’s TensorFlow is a Python-friendly open-source machine learning platform.
Python is the best data science tool that makes machine learning easy and effective. Python job roles have the highest number of listings. Ten thousand on Glassdoor and about 14,000 on Indeed!
Related post: 8 Python Interview Questions Managers Ask Developers
2. Java
Java is one of the oldest and most widely used programming languages across the globe. Java is the top programming language for DevOps, virtual reality, big data, mobile chatbots, and continuous integration.
Android accounts for 85 percent of the mobile market share, with Java as the main programming language. Top companies like Airbnb, Google, Netflix, Instagram, Uber, Amazon, and Spotify use Java in their tech stacks.
Why Java is one of the best languages to learn for software development roles? Java is downloaded one billion times a year. It is the go-to programming language for 97 percent of enterprises, which is more than any other programming language. Java developers are in high demand, as most businesses want to build mobile applications for their products or services.
3. JavaScript
There are over 1.8 million websites worldwide, and more than 95 percent of these websites use JavaScript. JavaScript gave life to the browser experience by creating web pages with interactive elements. JavaScript allows users to set up dynamic and interactive content, animated graphics, and complex features on the website.
Top web browsers like Google Chrome and Apple Safari support JavaScript. Mobile and web apps are developed with JavaScript frameworks. Apart from apps and websites, web servers and backend infrastructure are developed with the JavaScript runtime environment, Node.js.
Related post: 6 Popular JavaScript Frameworks to Choose from in 2024
4. TypeScript
Microsoft released TypeScript in 2012 as a “typed” version of JavaScript. TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript supporting JavaScript libraries and programs. Advanced features in TypeScript like type-checks provide quick validation and ensure that the codes typed are free of errors.
Typescript provides additional syntax to JavaScript to support better integration with an editor. According to the 2021 State of JS survey, 69 percent of survey respondents use TypeScript now compared to 21 percent six years ago.
5. PHP
PHP is a server-side general-purpose scripting language used for developing dynamic and interactive websites. PHP can be embedded into HTML and can help users write simple scripts with its advanced features.
PHP is one of the easiest languages to learn and use without much knowledge or experience in web development. Also, it is compatible with all the major platforms like MAC OS, Windows, and Linux.
According to the data of WS Techs, 78.9 percent of all websites with a known server-side programming language are using PHP. Out of ten, eight websites on the Internet use PHP in some way.
6. C++
C++ is an advanced version of the C language. Developers commonly use C++ to design simple applications for operating systems. Also, C++ helps develop powerful mobile applications.
C++ is widely used for game development, web development, machine learning, and data mining applications. With C++, the programs run faster than in any other programming language.
7. Swift
Developed by Apple, Swift is a quick, safe, interactive, and modern programming language. In the US, iOS leads the mobile operating system market share with 57.65 percent. These numbers prove that Swift is the dominant programming language for Apple products.
8. Kotlin
Kotlin is one of the favorite programming languages of Android developers, as it is easier to use than Java. Since it is interoperable with Java, developers can resume project work even from the middle. They don’t have to start coding from scratch.
According to a study, Kotlin is among the top three programming languages most businesses plan to migrate their apps to in 2022. Global tech companies like Google, Trello, NetFlix, and Amazon already use Kotlin. What’s more, Uber and Pinterest are migrating their apps from Java to Kotlin.
So, which is the best programming language to learn in 2024?
Whether you are an experienced developer or new to software development, learning the most in-demand programming languages will boost your career opportunities.Check out the above indices that measure the language rankings, ratings, and popularity to determine which languages to learn to make the most of your software development career. Let us know in the comments which programming language would be your choice to learn in 2024.
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