In this blog, you can learn about the top 10 programming languages for 2023. Programming language is the most important skill. The number of registered programming languages exceeds 265. True, programmers use only a couple of dozen. Although their popularity changes occasionally, the “winners” in the TOP 10 changed more often than the participants.
Based on the analysis from PYPL and TIOB, we have compiled our own TOP 10 popular programming languages. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Programming ranking
Before starting the TOP, we must mention ranking systems. They were mentioned earlier: PYPL and TIOB. Although their results are similar, a few words should be said about each.
PYPL
The popularity of Programming Language is an index based on Google Analytics data. PYPL forms a rating based on the logic: the more people search for learning materials in a language, the more popular it is.
TIOBE
The Importance Of Being Earnest is an index created from data obtained from various search engines. It counts the number of specialists, courses, and vacancies. Based on the received data, it forms the TOP of popular languages.
Now that we have finished the presentation, we can proceed to the TOP!
Top 10 programming languages
Our list is based on PYPL, so we take the popularity of requests for educational materials as a base.
#10 Kotlin
The popularity of Kotlin has skyrocketed in 2023 as Android has grown in popularity. The number of users in the USA was more than 230 million.
More than 80% of programmers use Kotlin to develop mobile applications. The advantages of the language include the following:
- Java compatibility
- Convenient work in the front and back-end
- Support for incremental compilation
With Android growing in popularity, the language has a lot of potentials.
#9 Swift
Next on our list is Swift, one of two popular iOS programming languages. Fast to learn, quick to work with, and rich in tools. Since 2014, Apple has been actively developing the language, clearly showing that Swift is the future of IOS.
Its popularity is also due to the following:
- Accessibility
- Ease of learning
- Speed
Given the popularity and relevance of IOS, it is not surprising that Swift has been firmly holding positions in the ranking for more than a year.
#8 Objective-C
The first programming language for IOS could have caught our TOP. So naturally, being the only language on the platform until 2014, it could not be “unpopular.” Today, although Apple concentrates on developing Swift, all popular applications and features are developed in Objective-C.
The distinctive features of the programming language are:
- Use of static libraries
- Support on all Apple devices
- Uses runtime code compilation
It’s too early to write off the “old man” because applications like iTunes and Apple Music will not switch to Swift soon.
#7R
The second most popular language among data analysts and data scientists in 2021.
Used for ad-hoc analysis and exploring datasets for statics-heavy projects. R is used primarily to launch massive projects. Its benefits include:
- The ability to use it as an interactive statistical environment
- It allows you to create programs for statistical inference, data analysis, ML-algorithms
- Compatibility with all OSs
R is one of the few languages explicitly created for complex analytical tasks, which ensures a stable place in the TOP.
#6 C/C++
In the PYPL ranking, both languages occupy the same position, so we will not separate either. Given that the differences between languages are in the goals. So C is the oldest language in use today. It is on it that Microsoft and Linux OS are built.
C++ is a more object-oriented language that uses C as its basis.
Benefits of C languages:
- The popularity of languages – they are still used for developing lots of applications
- Good optimization and speed
- Different compilations but the identical interface
Today, C languages gradually fade into the background, but they will not lose their relevance soon.
#5 PHP
PHP is the most popular language for front and back-end development. No one has managed to move PHP today. Thanks to comfortable use, acceptable performance, and convenient operation in the foreseeable future, there are few chances that PHP will “sag” in popularity.
The advantages of a programming language are
- Ease of development
- Cross-platform
- Open sources
PHP remains the leader in web development today.
#4 C#
And again, the C-language is at the TOP. But this time, it’s not just a modification of C but a fusion of the two languages. C# is a mix of C and Java. The language is trendy because of its multi-functionality. Everything can be done on it – programs and even computer games today are sometimes created in C #.
If you detail the advantages of the language:
- Extremely flexible language
- Deeply integrated into the Microsoft sphere
- Easy to learn and use
It is C# that is used to create applications that are included in the Windows package.
#3 JavaScript
What is the TOP programming language without Java and JavaScript? One of the most common and well-known programming languages in principle. JavaScript is especially popular in the front end. It allows you to add various website features – from simple effects to animations and mini-games.
A few JavaScript features:
- Compatibility with other programming languages
- Convenient data check
- Access to many frameworks
A JavaScript specialist is a must-have in every Digital Agency.
#2 Java
According to the results of PYPL analytics, the silver medalist of our list was Java. Created in 1996, this programming language has not yet lost its relevance but has increased. In 2023, the number of requests for Java learning materials remained the same compared to 2022.
Java is actively used to develop mobile applications and various projects (not uncommon in gaming) on the PC. Among the advantages of the language are:
- The comparative ease of learning
- Objective-oriented
- Platform independence
Java consistently occupies a leading position in the ranking and has not been going to give them up for many years now. An attractive option for beginners in the field of programming.
#1 Python
Finally, we have reached the winner of our TOP! The gold of the list goes to the most popular Python language today. It doesn’t even make sense to present it. We doubt you have ever seen back-end jobs or “how to find a programmer with expertise in Python” questions.
Python is widely used in web application development, scientific computing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Let’s not delay and immediately move on to the advantages of the programming language:
- Simple and concise syntax
- Multi-paradigm – support for multiple programming styles
- Cross-platform
- Powerful Libraries – Programmers from all over the world create and often share large libraries.
- Free and open source
The projects created on it will tell you better about Python:
- Youtube
- Dropbox
Python is the most widely used and functional programming language today. True, in the future, it will have competitors. We will talk about them further!
Future trends
The future is not certain, nor is the winner of the TOP 10 Programming Languages 2024. Although there is a high probability that the qualitative composition of the list will not change, we believe that a couple of contenders should be paid attention to.
The first to be noted is Dart, whose popularity grew by 532% in 2018-19. To describe it briefly, the project allows you to develop mobile and PC applications. In addition, its simplicity and efficiency make it an excellent alternative to Java.
The following language is Rust. It scored only 235%, which does not beg for its potential. Developed by Mozilla Research, Rust is a convenient and safe competitor to C/C++ languages. Rust is one of the likely future front-ends.
What language to choose
When choosing a language, we recommend that you be guided not by a third-party opinion like “Python is popular now, so we will do everything on it” but based on the tasks.
If you want to try yourself in a new profession, we recommend starting with relatively simple but potential languages – for example, Python. The main thing, in this case, is to be guided by your own desires – if you are interested in tasks and see that you can solve them – and make money on them – choose this language. If you are still in doubt about choosing a profession, then one of the advantages of the job of a programmer is an easy transition to remote work.
It isn’t easy to choose from a variety of programming languages. This is especially problematic when advertising for various courses, schools, or digital agencies constantly catches your eye. The main thing is understanding what you need specifically and correctly designing tasks.