At ARFASOFTECH, we like to stay ahead of the game and keep an eye on what tools are being used where. So let’s take a look at the most-used programming languages — using the TIOBE Index. (The TIOBE Programming Community Index is a list that pulls from search engines and web apps to determine both the usage and relevancy of software architecture.)

 

The Most Used Programming Languages for Businesses and Enterprises

Taking a look at the TIOBE Index shows that a lot of popular languages are very multi-faceted, and are used for many web apps and enterprise platforms (such as Java).

#1 - Java

Was also #1 in April 2020. Basically the most popular programming language for the past couple decades. Built so app developers can “write once, run anywhere” (WORA) — meaning that compiled Java code can run on all platforms that support it (without recompilation). Especially popular for client-server web applications and serves as the base for the Android operating system.

#2 - C Language

Was also #2 in April 2020. A general-use language used for operating systems, as well as various app software, C was introduced in the late 1970s. Even though it’s that old, C is the popular choice for building high-performance applications.

#3 - C++

Was also #3 in April 2020. Another general-use language, C++ is almost always used as a compiled language. It’s available on many platforms, as vendors like Microsoft, Intel, and IBM provide C++ compilers. Preferred over others for designing higher-level applications.

#4 - Python

Was also #4 in April 2020. A high-level, general-purpose language emphasizing code readability and using lots of whitespace. It’s clear, intuitive, and even resembles the English language. Very popular in scientific computing, machine learning and engineering.

#5 - Visual Basic.NET

Was #6 in April 2020, switching places with C#. Launched by Microsoft in 2002 to replace Visual Basic language. One of the two main languages targeting the .NET framework.

#6 - C#

Was #5 in April 2020, switching places with Visual Basic.NET. Developed in early 2000s by Microsoft (as part of its .NET initiative), C# is one of the languages designed for the Common Language Infrastructure. Perfect for developing web applications, desktop applications, and even VR, 2D, and 3D gaming.

#7 - JavaScript

Was #8 in April 2020. A high-level language that — along with HTML and CSS — is one of the core technologies of the World Wide Web. Enables interactive web pages and is essential to web applications. The vast majority of websites use JavaScript, and most web browsers have a specific JavaScript engine to execute it. It plays a major role in front-end development.

#8 - SQL

Was #9 in April 2020. Short for Structured Query Language, this domain-specific language is especially useful in operating databases. It’s often used across web frameworks and database applications.

#9 - PHP

Was #7 in April 2020. Originally designed for web development in the mid-1990s, this general-purpose programming language can be used for many programming tasks beyond the web context — such as standalone graphical applications and robotic drone control. Popular with web developers around the world, it’s used in more than 80% of websites.

#10 - Assembly language

Was #14 in April 2020. Often abbreviated ASM, this describes any low-level programming language with a strong correspondence between the program’s statements and the architecture’s machine code instructions.

 

Brief analysis

Clearly, change amongst the top 10 is minimal at best. In fact, the current top 4 are the exact same top 4 from a year ago. C++ and Python are both quite popular; in fact, they’re the two languages that have grown the most in popularity over the past year.

 

Conclusion

At ARFASOFTECH, we’ve used a variety of them across many projects, especially Java, Python, C#, Objective-C (which just missed the top 10, and is actually #11) and SQL.

Interested in learning more about programming languages — and which one(s) are right for your website or app? Contact us today for your custom software development needs!