Daria Lymanska
CEO & Founder

Too many requests! You have made too many requests!! No more requests!!!
– How many times do you have to hear that before you get really angry?Amazon Chime API’s request throttling tested our patience like this. But all we ever wanted was to make a simple text chat app work! In this article, you’ll find out why Chime was so unkind to us, what we did to turn things around, and how you too can follow the path we forged.

Firstly, an interesting fact: there are almost 700 programming languages, but we bet that most developers know and use nearly 15% of the list.

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Different programming languages are suited for various projects (mobile and web applications, game development, distributed systems, etc.). Also, it is important to identify the most appropriate language specifically for your project.

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In this article, we will look at each of the most popular programming languages according to PYPL and TIOBE rankings in detail — helping beginning developers and entrepreneurs select the right language for starting their digital projects.

Programming Languages Ranking

We tried to find out the most popular programming languages in the year 2024, using official information from PYPL, TIOBE, and GitHub rankings.

  • PYPL – The more a language tutorial is searched, the more popular the language is assumed to be. The raw data comes from Google Trends.
  • TIOBE – The ratings are based on the number of skilled engineers worldwide, courses, and third-party vendors. Popular search engines are also used to calculate the ratings.
  • GitHub – The ratings are created using a yearly review of programming languages’ popularity.

PYPL Ranking 2024

The PYPL (PopularitY of Programming Language) Index is created by analyzing how often language tutorials are searched on Google.

The more a language tutorial is searched, the more popular the language is assumed to be. The raw data comes from Google Trends.

The PYPL index can help you decide which language to study, or which one to use in a new software project.

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According to PYPL, 5 most popular programming languages are:

The TIOBE Ranking 2024

The TIOBE (The Importance of Being Earnest) index is an indicator of the popularity of programming languages. The index is updated once a month. The ratings are based on the number of skilled engineers worldwide, courses, and third-party vendors. Popular search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo!, Wikipedia, Amazon, YouTube, and Baidu are used to calculate the ratings.

It is important to note that the TIOBE index is not about the best programming language or the language in which most lines of code have been written.

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According to TIOBE, 5 most popular programming languages are:

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The GitHub Ranking 2024

GitHub is one of the biggest code repositories that boasts a massive developer community spanning across the globe. The repository is also growing at a blazing speed. Nearly 70% of global Fortune 50 companies have lately made contributions to GitHub’s open-source codes.

GitHub also shares a yearly review of programming languages’ popularity. Here are the dynamics of changing the popularity of different languages according to the latest GitHub report:

Top 5 Most Popular Programming Languages in 2024

Understanding programming is crucial for advancing technology across sectors like IT, data analytics, and engineering. As technology evolves, certain programming languages emerge as essential due to their functionality, ease of use, and adaptability.

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So, which programming languages will continue to be in demand in 2024 and beyond? We turn to the PYPL index for insights, which ranks languages by learning interest. Here's a quick look at the top 5 according to PYPL, focusing on why they stand out.

1. Python

PYPL rating — 28.59%

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  • Pros. Python is regarded as the easiest programming language to learn, because of its simple syntax, a large library of standards and toolkits, and integration with other popular programming languages such as C and C++. It is a popular programming language, especially among startups, and therefore Python skills are in high demand.

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  • Cons. Python’s cons include slower speed than compiled languages, limited concurrency with the GIL, high memory use, and complex debugging due to dynamic typing. It’s also less suited for mobile, embedded, and real-time applications, where efficiency and low latency are critical.

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  • Common Use Cases. Python excels in AI, data science, and financial sectors, with frameworks like TensorFlow making it a top choice for machine learning. It's behind major platforms like Instagram and Pinterest and powers apps such as Dropbox and Spotify, showcasing its wide applicability from cutting-edge tech to core web services.

2. Java

PYPL rating — 15.79%

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  • Pros. Java is a classic choice of many backend developers throughout the world and the only official language for Android app development. Java is designed to be a loosely coupled programming language, meaning that an application written in Java can run on any platform that supports Java. As a result, Java is described as the “write once, run anywhere” programming language.

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  • Cons. Java's downsides include less efficiency in cloud versus server settings and slower performance compared to languages such as C++. It also uses more memory, which can be a drawback in limited-resource situations. Moreover, Java's detailed syntax can result in longer codes, potentially extending development timelines.

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  • Common Use Cases. Java is widely used for creating business and Android apps, and it supports major websites like LinkedIn, Amazon, and Twitter. It's also used in server applications, handling big data with Hadoop, and web development using JSP and servlets, highlighting its wide-ranging use in software projects

3. Javascript

PYPL rating — 8.7%

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  • Pros. JavaScript is essential in front-end development for building interactive websites. With Node.js, Javascript can be used to power server-side content, supporting game and communication applications app development in the browser. Javascript has a lot of frameworks that allow stress-free integration with third-party apps. 

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  • Cons. Internet browsers can disable JavaScript code from running, as JavaScript is used to code pop-up ads that in some cases can contain malicious content. Additionally, its dynamic typing system can complicate debugging and maintenance.

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  • Common Use Cases. JavaScript is used extensively in website and mobile application development. Node.js allows for the development of browser-based applications, which do not require users to download an application. Popular apps built with JavaScript frameworks include Slack, Netflix, GitHub, Facebook, Skype, Uber, LinkedIn, Tidal, and more.

4. C#

PYPL rating — 6.77%

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  • Pros. C#, developed by Microsoft, is widely used in developing Windows applications, web services, and mobile apps. C# is also known for its strong type system, making code more robust and error-free. Thanks to its object-oriented nature, it's highly preferred for enterprise-level applications. Regular updates from Microsoft ensure it remains relevant and efficient for modern software development.

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  • Cons. While C# is incredibly powerful for Windows platform development, it's less versatile for programming applications on other operating systems, although .NET Core has made significant strides in cross-platform development. Some critics argue that C# can be less efficient for certain types of low-level programming compared to languages like C or C++.

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  • Common Use Cases. C# is key for creating desktop, web (via ASP.NET), and mobile applications (using Xamarin), especially for Microsoft products. Popular apps like Visual Studio IDE, games such as "Pokémon Go" and "Monument Valley" developed with Unity, and parts of Microsoft Office showcase C#'s versatility in software development.

5. C\C++

PYPL rating — 6.76%

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  • Pros. As one of the first programming languages ever developed, C has served as the foundation for writing more modern languages such as Python, Ruby, and PHP. It is also an easy language to debug, test, and maintain. C++ is an extension of C that works well for programming the systems that run applications, as opposed to the applications themselves. C++ also works well for multi-device and multi-platform systems. Over time, programmers have written a large set of libraries and compilers for C++.

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  • Cons. C/C++ has complex syntax and many features that can make it complicated for new programmers. C++ also does not support run-time checking, which is a method of detecting errors or defects while the software is running. C is not suitable for more modern use cases, such as websites or mobile applications.

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  • Common Use Cases. C++ has many uses and is the language behind everything from computer games to mathematical simulations. C is often used to program hardware, such as embedded devices in automobiles and medical devices used in healthcare. C/C++ is a basic programming language used for creating most existing operating systems, web browsers, and basic Microsoft products.

How to Choose a Programming Language for a Project?

Choosing the right programming language depends on what you need to achieve with your project. Don't just go by how popular a language is. It's better to ask for advice from developers who have worked on similar projects. They can help you pick a language that fits your project's needs, including how it works, its safety, and how it can grow. 

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Thinking about which language to use? Talk to experienced developers to make a smart choice for your project's future.