The top 10 programming languages (according to 2022’s GitHub Octoverse report)

The top programming languages @ octoverse.github.com

Programming languages are the backbone of software development. Each language has its strengths and weaknesses and is suited to different projects.

This article will examine ten popular programming languages: JavaScript, Python, Java, TypeScript, C#, C++, PHP, Shell, C, and Ruby.

Each language has its strengths and weaknesses and is suited to different projects. We will briefly define each language and mention real-world project types that allow unleashing their true potential.

What are the top 10 programming languages?

JavaScript is a high-level, dynamic, and interpreted programming language widely used for web development, creating interactive user interfaces, and building browser-based games.

JavaScript is often used for building Single-Page Applications (SPAs) and Real-Time Applications. JavaScript is also increasingly being used for server-side development with the help of technologies such as Node.js.

Python is a high-level, interpreted, and general-purpose programming language.

Python is widely used for scientific computing, data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. It is also commonly used for back-end web development, scripting, and automation.

Python is also increasingly being used for mobile app development with the help of frameworks such as Kivy and BeeWare.

Java is a high-level, class-based, and object-oriented programming language.

Java is widely used for building enterprise-level applications, Android mobile apps, and games. Java is also commonly used for creating web-based applications and building cross-platform applications.

TypeScript is a typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript. TypeScript is gaining popularity in front-end development, allowing for a more robust and maintainable codebase.

TypeScript is often used in large-scale enterprise applications and is frequently used with Angular for building web applications. More recently, it has been adopted for any front-end framework (such as React, among others).

The back-end development has adopted TypeScript to provide a much more well-structured and robust API and micro-services code which behaves more accurately than plain JavaScript.

C# is a modern, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft.

C# is widely used for building Windows desktop applications, games, and mobile apps using the Xamarin framework. C# is also commonly used for creating web applications using the ASP.NET framework.

C++ is a high-level, general-purpose programming language. C++ is widely used for building high-performance applications, such as games and operating systems. C++ is also commonly used for creating desktop applications, mobile apps, and financial software.

PHP is a server-side, open-source programming language widely used to build web applications. PHP is often used for building content management systems, e-commerce platforms, and forums. PHP is also commonly used for creating RESTful web services and APIs.

Shell is a command-line interpreter widely used for automating system administration tasks. Shell scripts often automate repetitive tasks, manage system processes, and work files and directories.

C is a low-level, procedural programming language widely used to build operating systems, device drivers, and embedded systems. C is also commonly used for creating high-performance applications, such as games and financial software.

Ruby is a high-level, interpreted, and object-oriented programming language. Ruby is widely used for building web applications, automation scripts, and data analysis. Ruby is also commonly used for creating RESTful web services and APIs.

How are these languages being used?

Each of these languages has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best language for your project will depend on the specific requirements of your project. The official websites for each language are an excellent resource for starting a new language.

Many vast and popular projects have been built using one or more of these programming languages that millions of users use daily. Here is a list of some examples:

JavaScript:

• Facebook: The social networking site is built using JavaScript, React, and PHP.
• YouTube: The video-sharing platform is built using JavaScript, AngularJS, and Python.
• LinkedIn: The professional networking site uses JavaScript, React, and Ruby on Rails.

Python:

• Google: Many of Google’s internal systems and services, such as search and maps, are built using Python.
• Spotify: The music streaming service is built using Python and Node.js.
• Instagram: The photo and video-sharing platform is built using Python, Django and React.

Java:

• Android: The mobile operating system is built using Java.
• Eclipse: The integrated development environment is created using Java.
• Minecraft: The popular video game made using Java

TypeScript:

• Asana: The project management tool is made using TypeScript, React, and GraphQL
• Palantir: the software company is known to use TypeScript in many of its projects, such as its Gotham Platform

C#:

• Windows: The operating system is built using C# and C++
• Unity: A cross-platform game engine is built using C#
• Visual Studio: The integrated development environment is built using C#

C++:

• Windows: The operating system is built using C++ and C#
• Chrome: The browser is built using C++ and JavaScript
• Photoshop: The graphic editing software is built using C++

PHP:

• WordPress: The content management system is built using PHP
• Magento: The e-commerce platform is built using PHP
• Laravel: The web application framework is built using PHP

Shell:

• Linux: The operating system is built using Shell and C
• Git: The version control system is built using Shell
• Kubernetes: The container orchestration system is built using Shell

C:

• Linux: The operating system is built using C and Shell
• GCC: The compiler is built using C

Ruby:

• Ruby on Rails: The web application framework is built using Ruby
• GitHub: The source code management platform is built using Ruby on Rails
• Shopify: The e-commerce platform is built using Ruby on Rails

Please note that these are just a few examples of the wide range of projects built using these languages, and many other large and popular projects also use these languages.

References:

Official websites (if available) for each programming language:

• JavaScript: https://www.javascript.com/
• Python: https://www.python.org/
• Java: https://www.java.com/
• TypeScript: https://www.typescriptlang.org/
• C#: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/
• C++: https://isocpp.org/
• PHP: https://www.php.net/
• Shell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_script
• C: https://www.open-std.org/jtc1/sc22/wg14/
• Ruby: https://www.ruby-lang.org/

List of websites where you can find information about the programming languages used in some of the large projects mentioned:

• Facebook: https://engineering.fb.com/web/facebook-javascript/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/yt/dev/
• LinkedIn: https://engineering.linkedin.com/front-end
• Google: https://opensource.google/projects/python
• Spotify: https://labs.spotify.com/category/engineering/
• Instagram: https://engineering.instagram.com/
• Android: https://developer.android.com/docs
• Eclipse: https://www.eclipse.org/
• Minecraft: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/developers/
• Asana: https://asana.com/engineering/
• Palantir: https://www.palantir.com/technology/
• Windows: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/
• Unity: https://unity.com/solutions/c-sharp
• Visual Studio: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/
• Chrome: https://www.chromium.org/developers/design-documents
• Photoshop: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/technical-guide.html
• WordPress: https://wordpress.org/about/technology/
• Magento: https://devdocs.magento.com/
• Laravel: https://laravel.com/docs/
• Linux: https://www.linux.org/
• Git: https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2
• Kubernetes: https://kubernetes.io/docs/home/
• GCC: https://gcc.gnu.org/
• Ruby on Rails: https://rubyonrails.org/
• GitHub: https://github.com/about
• Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/technology

Images:

• Cover chart: https://octoverse.github.com/2022/top-programming-languages
• JavaScript logo: http://www.edwinnathaniel.com/2016/01/javascript-function-overloading.html
• Python logo: https://www.stickpng.com/fr/img/icones-logos-emojis/cosmetiques-et-marques-de-beaute-sans-cruaute/python-powered-logo-landscape
• Java logo: https://www.stickpng.com/img/icons-logos-emojis/tech-companies/java-logo-landscape
• TypeScript logo: https://mherman.org/blog/developing-a-restful-api-with-node-and-typescript/
• C# logo: https://www.codingame.com/playgrounds/14207/c-professional---processing-text/working-with-strings-and-encoding
• PHP logo: https://logodownload.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/php-logo.png
• Shell logo: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2013/07/13/13/41/bash-161382_960_720.png
• C logo: https://techworm.net/programming/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/c-programming-1.png
• Ruby logo: https://techsore.com/best-programming-language/
• Programming languages collage: https://jonellu-domain.blogspot.com/2021/01/programming-languages-logo-top-10.html

Additional reading:

• 2022’s GitHub Octoverse report: https://octoverse.github.com/2022/top-programming-languages This website inspired this Medium article and served as a source of information for the list of programming languages that I have analysed.
• Stack Overflow: https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey This website provides an annual survey of developers, including information about the most popular programming languages and technologies, demographics, and career information.
• TIOBE Index: https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/ This website provides a monthly index of the most popular programming languages based on the number of search engine results.
• GitHub: https://octoverse.github.com/ This website provides annual data on the most popular programming languages and technologies used on GitHub, including information on the number of pull requests, issues, and contributions.
• RedMonk: https://redmonk.com/sogrady/ This website provides periodic rankings of programming languages based on their popularity in both GitHub and Stack Overflow.
• PYPL: https://pypl.github.io/PYPL.html This website provides a monthly index of the most popular programming languages based on the number of Google search results for tutorials on the language.
• Codecademy: https://www.codecademy.com/articles/what-is-a-programming-language This website overviews different programming languages and their uses and resources for learning each language.