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Different programming languages implies that there are different functions, types of software and companies they can be used for. Knowing your objective will help you choose what programming language to study or use in your software project.
We will look at the two most recognised indexes that study popularity of the programming languages. PYPL and TIOBE are the programming community indexes that measure the popularity of this or that language. However, their measuring principles slightly differ.
Let us look at their approaches in measuring first.
TIOBE – is based on the number of search hits query of the most popular search engines.
PYPL (Popularity of Programming Language) is based on the frequency of searches for language tutorials on Google.
Even though both indexes are updated once a month, the difference in measuring approaches makes the results of the language popularity vary.
Let us look at the top 10 ranked programming languages per each index.
TIOBE Top 10 Programming Languages.
1. Java
2. C
3. Python
4. C++
5. C#
6. Visual Basic.Net
7. JavaScript
8. PHP
9. Swift
10. SQL
PYPL Top 10 Programming Languages.
1. Python
2. Java
3. JavaScript
4. C#
5. PHP
6. C/C++
7. R
8. Objective-C
9. Swift
10. Kotlin
Here is an overview of each programming language to help you see their advantages and disadvantages as well as what these languages are best used for.
Java
Used For: Building web apps, backend web systems and Android mobile operating system. Examples: Amazon, eBay, Twitter, LinkedIn
Advantages: Suitable to use across operating systems, high-quality code compilation, stable environment.
Disadvantages: Not ideal for cloud applications; Java Development Kit requires license fee.
C
Used For: Writing more modern languages like Python, Ruby and PHP. Examples: Microsoft Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Mac
Advantages: Serves as a foundation for other languages, easy to debug, test and maintain, can run on any type of device.
Disadvantages: Not suitable for website or mobile apps. Has complex syntax.
Python
Used For: Wide variety of apps, writing automation scripts or prototype apps for web and mobile development. Python is very popular among start-ups. Examples: Pinterest, Instagram.
Advantages: Simple syntax, large library of standards and toolkits, easy to integrate with other programming languages.
Disadvantages: Not suitable for mobile app development.
C++
Used For: Programming the systems that run applications – from computer games to mathematical simulations. Examples: Adobe products, Mozilla browser, Microsoft software.
Advantages: Is an extension of C language, great for multi-device and multi-platform systems, large library and compilers.
Disadvantages: Complex syntax, no run-time checking that allows detecting errors.
C#
Used For: Microsoft and Windows app development, mobile devices and video game consoles run on Mono.
Advantages: Faster and more secure variation of C language, fully integrated with Microsoft’s.NET software framework, provides shared codebases, a large code library, and a variety of data types.
Disadvantages: Not as flexible as C++, a complex language for resolving errors.
JavaScript
Used For: Front-end development and building interactive websites. Examples: Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, Wikipedia.
Advantages: As the most popular programming language, JavaScript provides access to several frameworks, compatible with several programming languages, can produce web content on the server before a page is sent to the browser, has a variety of add-ons.
Disadvantages: JavaScript code can be disabled by Internet browsers as the language is used to code pop-up ads.
PHP
Used For: Running content-oriented websites and as a server-side scripting language for websites and web apps. Examples: Facebook, WordPress, Wikipedia.
Advantages: Great for server-side web development that requires accessing information from a server. Has large number of users who contributed to creating frameworks, libraries, and automation tools. Easy to use.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable security, lost its popularity to JavaScript and Python.
Swift
Used For: Both client-side and server-side development, developing applications for Mac computers and Apple’s mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Advantages: Modern language, fast (faster than Python and Objective-C), easy to read, write and maintain.
Disadvantages: Suitable only for newer versions of iOS 7, lacks stability and third-party resources.
Objective-C
Used For: iOS applications that were written in the past and still need maintaining. Examples: Apple Music, iTunes.
Advantages: Interoperability with C++ language, has dynamic features, good support for writing Binary Frameworks.
Disadvantages: Lacks namespacing, explicit pointers, and complex syntax.
R
Used In: Statistical software products for healthcare, banking, consulting government. Examples: Mediawiki.
Advantages: One of the best programming languages for data analytics. R is extensible and runs on many operating systems like Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
Disadvantages: No rigid programming guidelines of older and more established languages.
Each programming language has something to offer depending on your need.
Our team of professionals offers business analysis services to help you choose the right technology for your project.
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