Most popular programming languages according to ZDNET: Python, JavaScript and Java

In the field of programming languages, there are many rankings that assess their popularity and usage. ZDNET has compiled the results of these rankings into one clear summary, which includes results from nine well-known indexes, including Stack Overflow, IEEE, PYPL, Tiobe, and GitHub.

5. September 2024

What determines the popularity of a programming language? ZDnet lists several possible factors for measuring popularity:

  • Number of mentions of the language in web searches, for example according to Google
  • Number of job postings that mention the language
  • Number of books that teach or describe the language
  • Number of projects in the language on SourceForge, Freecode and GitHub
  • Number of posts in online forums related to the language
  • Number of students enrolled in programming courses worldwide
  • Number of videos about each language on YouTube
  • Number of posts about each language on Reddit or Stack Exchange

Three major languages topped the list as the most popular: Python, JavaScript, and Java. Python with its simple syntax and extensive application development library, JavaScript with its dominant role in web development, and Java as a universal language for creating a variety of applications.

Following in this ranking are other popular languages such as C++, C#, TypeScript, and SQL. C++ is significant for its efficiency and use in systems programming, while C# is popular for developing applications in the Microsoft environment. TypeScript language combines type checking with JavaScript to increase the security and clarity of code, while SQL is essential for working with databases and data management.

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Each of these programming languages brings unique features that make them popular among developers and play a key role in the modern world of software engineering.