What is a programming language?
A programming languages is a set of rules and conventions that allow a programmer to write orders that a computer can understand and perform. These instructions, also called source code, are written using a specific programming language and then translated into executable code that the computer can process.
Programming languages are used to develop software, which can range from simple software applications to complete operating systems, so mastering one of them is essential if you want to become a programmer.
It is important to know that each programming language has its features and syntax designed to facilitate the expression of algorithms and the efficient manipulation of data.
Most used programming languages
Although there are various studies and surveys on the most used programming languages, among all the existing documentation, the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023 stands out, in which more than 90,000 developers participated. This study reveals the main trends in programming and online learning.
Thus, among the most used programming languages, JavaScript stands out as the dominant language for the eleventh consecutive year. It’s also worth noting that Python outperforms SQL, reflecting its growing popularity. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence in development is notable.
Since 83% of respondents use ChatGPT for programming. These trends highlight the evolution of the industry and the importance of adapting to emerging programming languages and tools.
In this regard, the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey determined that the most used programming languages were:
| Programming language | Percentage of use (%) |
| JavaScript | 63.61 |
| HTML/CSS | 52.97 |
| Python | 49.28 |
| SQL | 48.66 |
| TypeScript | 38.87 |
| Bash/Shell (all shells | 32.37 |
| Java | 30.55 |
| C# | 27.62 |
| C++ | 22.42 |
| C | 19.34 |
| PHP | 18.58 |
| PowerShell | 13.59 |
| Go | 13.05 |
| Rust | 13.05 |
| Kotlin | 9.06 |
| Ruby | 6.23 |
| Moon | 6.09 |
| Dart | 6.02 |
| Assembly | 5.43 |
| Swift | 4.65 |
*Data taken from Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023. Although many programming languages vary in popularity and usage over time, we can highlight the top 10 programming languages in the industry, which are the languages that appear in all rankings every year.
JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most use programming languages for making dynamic web pages. It allows programmers to implement complex functions on web pages, adding interactivity through effects such as text that fades in and out, animations, button-triggered actions, and pop-ups with user alert messages.
Python
Python is one of the most use programming languages today. Its popularity continues to grow. It offers exceptional features such as being open source, having simple syntax, and being easy to understand, which helps save time and resources in software development.
The versatility of Python is evident in various applications, being especially relevant in the field of artificial intelligence thanks to public libraries such as Keras or TensorFlow.
SQL
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a program design language use to manage and manipulate relational databases. With SQL, developers and administrators can create, query, modify, and delete data in databases, as well as define the structure of tables and the relationships between them.
SQL is widely used in database and data management systems (DBMS) such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and others. One of the most widely used types of programming languages.
This structured query language provides specific syntax for database queries and transactions, allowing users to access and manage information efficiently. It is essential in enterprise applications and a wide variety of other applications that require structured data storage and retrieval.
TypeScript
TypeScript is an open basic programming language developed by Microsoft that extends JavaScript by adding a static type system. This means that TypeScript allows developers to declare types of variables, functions, and objects, providing greater control and error detection during the development phase.
When TypeScript code is compiled, it is translated into JavaScript, making it compatible with all browsers and environments that support JavaScript.
TypeScript has become popular in web and application development due to its ability to improve code quality and maintainability, especially in large, complex projects.
Additionally, it provides benefits such as autocompletion and documentation in the development process, increasing programmer productivity. For all these reasons, it is one of the most used programming languages.
Java
Java is a general-purpose, object-oriented language design to minimize implementation dependencies. With Java, it’s possible to create apps and processes that work across multiple devices, making it a solid choice if you’re wondering which programming language to learn among the newer options.
It is one of the most used programming languages, as its scope covers, among others, the creation of software for mobile devices, point-of-sale terminals, the Internet of Things (IoT), and websites.
C#
C# is another of the most used programming languages in 2024. Microsoft created it, and it is widely used in professional environments, such as government institutions, banking, and medical entities, among others.
In addition to its traditional applications, C# also excels in versatile areas such as Internet of Things (IoT) application development, video games, websites, and mobile applications.
C++
C++ stands out for its high speed and stability, which makes it one of the best programming languages and, therefore, one of the most used. Additionally, it provides the Standard Template Library (STL).
Which is a set of ready-to-use libraries for various data structures, arithmetic operations, and algorithms. The support for these libraries and the speed of the language make them a popular choice in the high-frequency trading (HFT) community.
PHP
PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a server-side software design language widely used in web development. It is use to create active web applications and supports a variety of databases. Its syntax is similar to that of other languages.
Which makes it easier to learn. PHP is highly customizable and extensible through extensions and libraries, and it has an active developer community and a wealth of online resources. Although very popular, PHP has been criticized in the past for security issues. Therefore, good security practices must be followed when developing applications with this language.
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Go
Go is another of the most used programming languages. It is open-source and was developed by Google. It is known for its simplicity, efficiency, and performance, and it is designed to make it easy to create scalable and concurrent applications.
Go stands out for its fast compilation and efficient garbage collection, making it suitable for developing high-performance systems and applications. Its syntax is clear and concise and focuses on code readability.
Go also includes built-in features for concurrency, making it a general choice for developing web servers and distributed systems.
Rust
Rust is an organization programming language developed by Mozilla that stands out for its emphasis on security and performance. It is designed to provide a high level of control over system resources while avoiding common programming errors, such as security violations and null references, through its type system and safe memory management.
Rust has become popular in the development of low-level software, such as operating systems, compilers, and high-performance applications, thanks to its ability to ensure security and concurrency without sacrificing performance. This makes it one of the most used programming languages.
Conclusion
In this article, we have briefly reviewed the 10 most used programming languages. If you want to know which programming language to learn in 2024, it is time for you to choose one and specialize in it.
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