Just like spoken languages, there are hundreds of programming languages out there. Some are used by millions each day, while others have fallen in popularity or are waiting for their time to shine.
In the early 2000s, PHP was among the most well-known programming languages. However, today, faster and more efficient languages have surpassed it. Among professional developers, JavaScript is generally considered the most popular. It has consistently topped Stack Overflow’s Developer Survey as the most widely used language for close to a decade. The most recent survey found that 65.82% of professional developers used JavaScript, with HTML/CSS, SQL, Python, and TypeScript rounding out the top five.
Data from GitHub shows a similar trend. JavaScript, Python, TypeScript, Java, and C# were the most used languages on its platform in 2023.
With rapid technological advances, the half-life of skills, meaning the time it takes for half the knowledge to be useless, is decreasing, leading to an increased need for upskilling. Luckily, you can acquire these skills through various means, including obtaining an advanced degree, attending a bootcamp, or enrolling in a certification program. However, determining which programming language path to pursue can be challenging.
What programming languages are most in-demand?
Based on usage data, many programming languages are in demand and popular, including JavaScript, Python, TypeScript, HTML/CSS, Java, C#, and more.
| Coding language | Relevant fields | GitHub usage (2023) | Stack Overflow - % of professional developer usage (2023) |
|-----------------|-----------------|---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| JavaScript | Web, software development | ~5.8 million | 65.82% |
| Python | Data, AI, machine learning | ~5.2 million | 45.32% |
| TypeScript | Software development (subset of JavaScript) | ~3.4 million | 43.75% |
| C# | Web, software development | ~1.8 million | 29.16% |
But that’s not to say they will remain the most in-demand tomorrow. According to GitHub’s research, the coding languages that experienced the most growth in 2023 were Rust, Lua, and TypeScript. Rust and Lua are notable for their memory safety and efficiency and can be used for systems and embedded systems programming, which contributed to their growth.
According to Stack Overflow's research, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and Python are the most popular languages among people who are learning to code.
Python is considered the programming language with the highest demand, according to Thai Le, an associate professor of computer and information science at the University of Mississippi. He notes that Python is intuitive and easier to learn, making it versatile for traditional computer science tasks and data science projects.
Many top tech companies, such as Meta and Google, use Python to develop machine learning and AI platforms, further increasing its demand.
Go, a programming language designed by Google, is also gaining popularity and importance due to its ability to create swift and accurate learning models.
Which programming language is best?
Choosing which programming language to learn should depend on your interests and career goals. If you aim to become a web developer, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will be important. Data scientists or analysts may find Python, SQL, and R more beneficial. Software developers may use C#, C++, or Java more often. In the tech industry, some professionals may use Ruby, Kotlin, or Shell.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the best or most important language in programming. However, having basic knowledge in easier-to-learn languages like Java, Python, or Scratch can help build a foundation.
As AI becomes smarter and easier to use, computer programming is likely to evolve in the coming years, with technology helping to automate processes, detect problems, and propose solutions. While AI is unlikely to replace programmers soon, it will emphasize the need to master in-demand languages.
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