Top Programming Languages in 2024

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, so does the landscape of programming languages. Developers need to stay current with the latest trends to remain competitive in the job market and to leverage the best tools available for building innovative solutions. Here’s a look at the top programming languages in 2024, along with some key statistics that highlight their popularity and usage.

1.JavaScript

JavaScript is a hugely popular programming language—and for good reason. Not only can it be used to create web applications, but it’s also used to make native mobile apps and has the capacity to run on any platform no matter what the operating system may be. Whether you’re developing an app for Android, iOS or Windows, there are JavaScript frameworks that will help you get the job done.

And since JavaScript is also used as a front-end language, it’s common to create a web application using JavaScript and then later turn it into a mobile app. It can even help backend programmers connect with frontend developers by acting as a bridge between server side and client-side content

Statistics:

Popularity: JavaScript is used by 67.7% of professional developers, making it the most commonly used programming language according to the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey.

Demand: JavaScript is among the top three languages employers are looking for, based on job postings on Indeed.

2.Python

Python is a dynamic programming language as of now, so you do not need to declare data types while declaring variables. It’s easy to use and has a lot of supporting libraries that make data processing and manipulation easier. Python uses Garbage Collection technique for memory management which makes it easier for programmers to develop applications without worrying about memory leaks.

Unlike other high-level languages such as C, C++ and Java, Python does not have any compilation step because of its interpretive nature. This also helps in rapid prototyping of ideas and makes it more productive when compared with other high-level languages like Java or C

Statistics:

Popularity: Python ranks as the most popular programming language on the TIOBE Index as of June 2024.

- Usage: Over 70% of developers use Python for data analysis and AI projects according to a Stack Overflow survey.

3.Rust

Rust is a general-purpose language developed by Mozilla. It’s both fast and memory safe, which means that it doesn’t have to use a garbage collector and can be used to power systems programming. Since it was designed with embedded devices in mind, it has a small runtime and doesn’t need a lot of system resources. That makes Rust ideal for applications where memory safety is important, but speed is also necessary, such as embedded programming, web servers and IoT devices.

Statistics:

Developer Satisfaction: For the seventh consecutive year, Rust is the most loved programming language, with 86.1% of developers expressing interest in continuing to develop with it according to Stack Overflow.

4.Kotlin

This programming language has the backing of Google and is open source. It’s been lauded for its conciseness, interoperability and ease of learning: it is type-inferred, meaning that you don’t have to be as specific when typing out your code; instead, it can be inferred by the context in which it is used. Kotlin was created by JetBrains, makers of some great IDEs (integrated development environments) including IntelliJ IDEA.

Kotlin trades a lot of the pure object-oriented features in favor of functional features since these are now more valuable for app development. It can be used for server-side programming, and it can also be used to develop Android apps.

Statistics:

Popularity: Kotlin is now used by over 60% of professional Android developers according to Google’s 2023 Developer Survey.

Growth: Kotlin has seen a 20% increase in usage year-over-year, highlighting its growing popularity in mobile development.

5.SQL

SQL is a widely-used structured query language for creating, defining, implementing, accessing, and managing relational databases. SQL stands out on this list as the only database-oriented language in a crowd of front-end and back-end languages.

SQL’s widespread use in database operations adds to its popularity, but its specialized focus restricts its broad adoption compared to more versatile languages like Python and Java. SQL climbed in rank to become the fourth most popular coding language among developers in 2023, though its total usage in programming language tests did decrease slightly during the same period.

Statistics:

Usage: SQL is used by 56.7% of professional developers, making it one of the most commonly used languages according to the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey.

Demand:* High demand for SQL skills in data-related roles across various industries.

6. Go

Go, or Golang, is a modern, statically typed language developed by Google. Known for its simplicity, concurrency support, and efficiency, Go is popular for cloud computing, microservices, and back-end development. Despite being relatively new, Go’s performance and growing ecosystem make it a promising choice for scalable applications.?

Since its launch in 2009, interest and demand have continued to grow. Between 2018 and 2020, Go was the top language developers wanted to learn. In 2023, Go rose in popularity, landing eigth on our list, and it remains within the top 10 in-demand programming languages. Tech giants like Uber,

Statistics:

Adoption: Go is used by over 11.5% of developers for cloud and server-side applications according to the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey.

Salary: Go developers earn some of the highest salaries in the industry, with an average annual salary of $120,000 according to PayScale.

7.Swift

Swift, developed by Apple, is the primary language for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS app development. Its safety features, speed, and integration with Apple’s ecosystem have made it popular among iOS developers.?

Swift’s popularity has declined slightly: from 2022 to 2023, it fell from 11th to 12th in preference among developers. Swift’s decline in popularity may have been influenced by the many competing languages, platform diversification, and the maturation of existing codebases. It also never managed to catch on as a general-purpose language. Unable to achieve broader popularity, Swift’s usage levels reflect its role as a specialized technology.

?Statistics:

Adoption: Swift is used by 5.9% of developers, primarily for iOS development according to the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey.

Popularity: Swift is the 8th most loved language among developers, with a?

growing ecosystem of tools and libraries.

9.R

R is a mainstay for statistical computing and data visualization, particularly in academia and research. Its rich ecosystem of packages makes it a powerful tool for data analysis.

Statistics:

Usage: R is used by 4.9% of developers, particularly in data science and academia according to the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey.

Adoption: Increasing adoption in data science and research roles, with strong academic support.

10.Julia

Julia is making waves in the data science and numerical computing communities. It combines the ease of use of Python with performance close to C

Statistics:- Adoption: Julia is used by 0.7% of developers, reflecting its niche but growing importance in scientific computing according to the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey.

Performance: Benchmarks show Julia’s performance is comparable to C for numerical tasks.

Staying up-to-date with these top programming languages in 2024 can open doors to new opportunities and enhance your skillset. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, learning these languages can help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Choose the language that best aligns with your career goals and project needs, and dive into the vast resources available to master them.