Among the Many Programming Languages Available, These 9 Will Be at the Top in 2023

The world of technology and computer science (IT) is constantly evolving. Each day presents novel databases, languages, and frameworks that developers must acquaint themselves with.

To aid you in selecting the most appropriate programming language that meets your requirements, we have put together a compilation of various ratings.

Which Programming Languages Are Accessible, and How Can You Determine the Most Suitable One for Your Team?

According to the TIOBE Index, there are more than 265 diverse programming languages available. This demonstrates that different languages offer different degrees of success depending on the scope and nature of the project. Therefore, instead of concentrating on a single language, it is more advantageous to examine the most regularly used languages and their specific applications. It is also worthwhile for developers to become skilled in a few of these languages, as they are probable to be required in their job.

It is impractical to find a single person who has expertise in all the programming languages necessary. A better approach is to determine the particular requirements of the project at each stage of the development procedure. Therefore, prior to making a choice, let us examine which language would be most advantageous for each stage of development.

Building Website Front-Ends

  • JavaScript
  • Elm
  • TypeScript

Back-End Web Programming

  • JavaScript
  • Scala
  • Python
  • Go
  • Ruby

Mobile Web-Based Programming

  • Swift
  • Java
  • Objective-C
  • JavaScript

Game Development

  • Unity
  • TypeScript

Desktop Software Development

  • Scala
  • Go
  • Python

Systems Programming

  • Go
  • Rust

By considering your specific requirements, you can narrow down your search for a suitable programming language. In this article, we explore three different rankings of the most in-demand programming languages.

Ranked Best Programming Languages

It has been noticed that coding styles, like all other digital products, can change over time. While some of these styles used to be widely accepted, they are no longer relevant. There are some trends that are evergreen, while newer ones arise to take their place. Rankings are released every year to evaluate the performance of various languages, which may differ based on the technology and geographical areas taken into account.

When contemplating remote positions, it is crucial to consider the geographical location of potential candidates, as well as their proficiency in specific programming languages. Ruby is especially popular in Japan and South America, while C++ is the preferred language in India, Pakistan, and Malaysia. Python, on the other hand, is favoured worldwide.

Three indices are compared here to provide insight into the most popular programming languages:

The International Organization for Business Evaluation

Established in 2001, the TIOBE index serves as a monthly gauge of the presently sought-after programming languages. Rankings in this index are based on data from 25 of the most notable online sources, including popular search engines like Google and Bing, as well as online learning platforms such as Coursera and other independent vendors. The most frequently consulted sources consist of Wikipedia, Amazon, YouTube, and Baidu.

As per data from 2023, C remains the most widely utilised programming language, closely followed by Java. Python has now taken third place, with a gap of just 0.16% between it and C. C’s rankings have dropped from 20.24% in June 2001 to 11.83% in September 2023, while Java has maintained its third position with a reduction from 26.49% to 10.12%. Ruby has also experienced an increase in popularity, moving up from 15th to 13th place, and Go has risen four positions from 18th to 14th.

On the contrary, PHP has extremely poor performance. This language was in third place in 2001 but has since dropped to ninth.

The TIOBE index provides developers with valuable insights by concentrating on the most widely used programming languages rather than solely the best ones. It presents a snapshot of the demand and advancement of various languages, which can be used to develop plans for new projects.

The complete list of TIOBE-rated programming languages is as follows:

This information is sourced from the TIOBE Index.

Ranking Order of the PYPL Index

Github’s PYPL Index provides a ranking of programming languages by using Google trends to determine the most sought-after programming tutorials. This index is updated monthly.

PYPL generates both a Global Index and country-specific rankings for the US, India, Germany, the UK, and France. Python is the dominant language in the Global Index, overtaking Java. Additionally, Python has grown its market share by 100% in Germany, the UK, and France. In market share, the UK has 34%, while India has 31%.

PYPL’s analysis has demonstrated a comparable trend for PHP and Java. PHP’s market share has risen from 20% in 2008 to 5.76% in 2023, whereas Java’s has declined gradually but steadily, falling from 31% in 2008 to 18% in 2016. It is noteworthy that the combined market share of these languages was 50% between 2004 and 2009, indicating that both are now in decline.

The complete list of stocks included in the assessment is as follows:

The Python Package Index on GitHub

RedMonk’s Forecast for the First Quarter of 2023

RedMonk’s analysis, which incorporates GitHub data and Stack Overflow discussions, demonstrates that Javascript has the highest popularity, with Python and Java following closely behind. PHP’s position at fourth place has been retained, whereas C has slipped to tenth. However, their approach has resulted in identifying various ties. Based on their research, the following languages have made the list:

  1. JavaScript
  2. Python
  3. Java
  4. PHP
  5. C#
  6. C++
  7. CSS
  8. TypeScript
  9. Ruby
  10. C
  11. Swift
  12. R
  13. Objective-C
  14. Shell
  15. Scala
  16. Go
  17. PowerShell
  18. Kotlin
  19. Rust
  20. Perl

Here is an extensive preview of the first-quarter forecast for 2023:

RedMonk’s Market Report for Q1 2023

The Top Nine Languages for Coding

Our list of the most sought-after programming languages and their applications, as determined by these indices:

  1. Python
  2. Java
  3. JavaScript
  4. C#
  5. C and C++
  6. PHP
  7. Swift
  8. Objective-C
  9. Kotlin

Python

Python is a flexible language that supports various programming paradigms, including functional, object-oriented, and reflective. It is extensively employed to generate a range of digital assets, including YouTube, Google Search, and iRobot robots. Additionally, Python is the second most in-demand programming language among employers, second only to JavaScript.

The goal of the language is:

  • Creating the Tail End
  • Mathematical exploration of data
  • Development for mobile devices

Software built with Python: Regular users of social media are likely familiar with YouTube, Quora, Reddit, Instagram, and Spotify.

Java

Java was created with an object-oriented approach that enables developers to organize their code and applications using objects containing procedural and data elements. Currently, it is the third most in-demand programming language among global employers. Furthermore, it has maintained significant popularity on Stack Overflow over the past two years.

The objective of the language is:

  • E-commerce
  • Finance
  • Development for handheld devices

Apps developed using Java include Google Play Store, TrainAway, School App, and Matchplayer’s Android version.

JavaScript

Using JavaScript, developers have the ability to govern how websites function, enabling the creation of animated graphics and interactive maps. Based on Stack Overflow’s recent research in 2023, JavaScript is presently the most extensively utilized programming language worldwide (69.7%), as well as the most in-demand language among US employers.

The objective of the language is:

  • Website Development
  • Development of Video Games
  • Handheld applications
  • The Craft of Building Web Servers

JavaScript software: The Four Giants: Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, and Wikipedia.

C#

Microsoft unveiled C# in 2002, and it has since gained widespread acceptance. One out of every five HR managers is seeking to recruit a C# developer.

The objective of the language is:

  • Development of Video Games
  • Software for Computers, the Web, and Handheld Devices
  • VR

C# applications encompass anything that runs on Windows Desktop, such as Uno, Mono, or .NET Core.

C and C++

According to PYPL’s evaluation of Google Trends data, C++ and C are equally popular, hence both languages are ranked together. Since 1973, C has been a popular object-oriented language that is compatible with the core of several operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. Furthermore, it is backed by key databases, such as Oracle, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server.

The objective of the language is:

  • Development of Video Games
  • Applications Compatible with Mobile Devices
  • Editing Tools for Videos and Photos

Software created in C and C++: Products from Adobe and Mozilla along with Microsoft’s offerings.

PHP

For web development projects, PHP is the preferred scripting language. It is open source and capable of generating both static and dynamic webpages. Despite market changes in recent years, PHP remains widespread and is used by several prominent websites to drive their user interfaces and authentication protocols.

The objective of the language is:

  • The implementation of a User-Friendly and Responsive Interface
  • Applications compatible with Mobile Devices
  • Web Page Development

PHP has been used to develop several popular applications including WordPress, Wikipedia, Mailchimp, Flickr, and Yahoo.

Swift

Swift is a programming language developed by Apple for building applications specifically for iOS. By 2023, it had become Apple’s primary platform for upcoming product development. Compatible with macOS, tvOS, watchOS and IBM’s z/OS mainframe operating system, Swift presents an all-in-one solution for Apple product development.

The aim of the language is:

  • App Development for Apple’s iOS
  • Software made with Native Programming
  • Designing a User Interface
  • Front-End Designing

Applications developed with Swift: including but not limited to Slack, Facebook, Uber, Khan Academy, LinkedIn and WhatsApp.

Objective-C

Objective-C was widely used in the industry before the advent of Swift. Objective-C was the first language intended for building iOS applications and was made available in 1983. Despite the fact that Swift is gradually taking over, Objective-C is still backed by many macOS and iOS development resources.

The aim of the programming language is:

  • Apple’s iOS and Mac OS X are both highly sought-after.
  • Mobile Applications
  • Server-side Programming

Objective-C is used to build Apple’s applications, such as Apple Music and iTunes.

Kotlin

Kotlin became increasingly popular in 2017, with 124.4 million Android users in the United States exclusively. As per estimation, 80% of developers prefer Kotlin as their primary tool for building Android applications, 31% for creating back-end applications and 30% for developing software development kits and libraries. Furthermore, since it is based on Java, users can effortlessly employ their favourite Android apps and games.

The objective of the programming language is:

  • Applications for the Android Operating System
  • Server-side Applications
  • Software Development Kits/Libraries

Kotlin-based Applications available for Download: We use numerous applications such as Slack, Netflix, Evernote, Basecamp, Blockbuster, Occaz, AYIO, and MoveUP.

Conclusion

When evaluating your project’s prerequisites, you may use the list of programming languages we have provided as a reference. For instance, the emergence of Swift has rendered it a more attractive alternative to Objective-C for new app development. If you start an iOS project from scratch, Swift is the most suitable option. Nevertheless, if you have an existing Objective-C program that demands updating, it is better to use the same language during the development phase. Moreover, Java, JavaScript and Python are a dependable combination due to their broad popularity.

In conclusion, it is crucial to keep in mind that solely concentrating on finding the most popular programming language is insufficient to establish an effective development team. We can provide assistance in that aspect with a robust recruitment approach aimed at attracting skilled engineers to join your team. Our remote recruitment team is available to assist you in finding the perfect remote programmer, not only the appropriate language, in just two weeks’ time.

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