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Most Used Programming Languages 2018

 Last Updated on: October 10th, 2018  Ray King  15 Min Read

Di erent people or organizations will give di erent answers when asked what they believe
are the most popular or the most used programming languages. This is because ‘most used’
is something of a subjective term, and one which can’t really be answered without adding
further parameters. For example, we could mean any of the following:

Do we mean the most popular/most used programming languages?

Do we mean the languages that have the most lines of written code in existence?

Or do we mean the languages with the largest GitHub community?

As you can see, it is essential to de ne what we mean by ‘most used’ before we get into our
list of the most common programming languages.

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Obviously, we could list the most used programming languages according to any one of
thousands of sources. For the purpose of this article, we have decided to use the Tiobe
Index, a world-recognised authority when it comes to programming language popularity
that is released monthly by software company Tiobe. All statistics and order of popularity
for this article were taken from the August 2018 version of the list.

What Is The TIOBE Index?

Since we will be basing our language rankings on the Tiobe Index, we need to build at least
a general understanding of how it works and what it takes into account. Basically, the Tiobe
Index takes data from hundreds of di erent sources, compiles it, and spits it out in list form.
The Tiobe Index rankings are based on a number of metrics, including:

The number of experienced engineers in the language worldwide. Obviously, more skilled
developers in a language means that the language is going to be more popular.

The number of courses available for a language. This gives an indication into the demand
for a particular language, the amount of people who are learning it, and how widespread
it is likely to be in the future.

The search engine popularity of the language. Again, this indicates how popular a
language is to the general public. More popular languages are more likely to be used.

The Tiobe language rating is calculated by taking the percentage of programming search
engine hits that belong to that language. For example, the rating for Java is 16.88%, meaning
that 16.88% of all programming language pages in search engines are related to Java. Head
here for a complete explanation of the Tiobe Index.

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As you can see, this is by no means a perfect system. However, we believe that it is the best,
which is why we have used it as a basis for the rest of this article.

Table of Contents [hide]

1 What Makes A Programming Language Popular?

2 What Are The Most Used Programming Languages Of 2018?
2.1 Java
2.2 C
2.3 C++
2.4 Python
2.5 Visual Basic .NET
 2.6 C#
2.7 PHP
2.8 JavaScript
2.9 SQL
2.10 Assembly Language
3 Conclusion – Choosing The Most Useful Programming Language For You

What Makes A Programming Language Popular?

There are a wide range of things that could contribute to a language becoming one of the
most used programming languages. Some nd themselves among the most popular
programming languages simply because they are widespread and versatile. Others are at
the top of the most in demand programming languages list because there is a lack of
experienced developers.

With this in mind, let’s look at some of the major factors which seem to be common among
the most used programming languages of 2018:

Versatility: The top four on our list of popular programming languages – Java, C, C++, and
Python – are all quite versatile languages which can be used for a range of things. This
makes sense, as the most used programming languages are likely to be the ones which
have a number of use cases.

Ease Of Use: Most of the most popular programming languages are quite simple to use.
They usually have relatively simple syntax, large online communities, and are easy to
troubleshoot.

Speed: When it comes to developing things like websites or games, speed is essential. It
therefore makes sense that some of the most in demand programming languages
according to the Tiobe Index are the fastest.

As you will see when we start looking closer at the most used programming languages, it is
very rare for a language with narrow use-cases to be widespread. Usually, languages like
this are con ned to a small niche with few active users.

What Are The Most Used Programming Languages Of

2018?
Now to move onto the most used programming languages of 2018 according to the August
Tiobe Index. We will provide a brief outline of each of the below languages, followed by a
look at their most popular use cases and reasons why they have made it onto the list.
Following this, we will provide scenarios which may help you decide on the best
programming language to learn. In some cases, we will also recommend courses to help
you kick-start your programming journey.

1. Java

At the top of our list of the most common programming languages in the world is an old
favorite, Java. Since the start of the 21st century, Java has rarely lost its position as one of
the top two most popular programming languages. At the current time, it has a rating of
16.88%, slightly above C with 14.97%, but well above third placed C++ which comes in at
7.47%.

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Java is one of the world’s most versatile and exible programming languages. It is used by
companies throughout the world to create desktop apps and for back-end website
development. One of the unique features of Java is that it is able to run on pretty much any
operating system. It is the most popular language when it comes to Android app
development, and it is also favoured among larger websites due to its scalability.

The demand for Java developers is as high as it has ever been. In reality, if you are uent in
Java, you will never be out of work. The huge online community means that it is quite a
simple language to learn – you will always nd help when you run into problems with your
code.

If Java strikes your fancy as the best of the most used programming languages to learn,
then head over to BitDegree. The Learn Java 101 course will provide you with all the
knowledge you need to start building apps and websites with Java. It is suited to beginners,
comes with great walkthroughs, and will teach you exactly what Java does and how you can
use it.

2. C
C is one of the oldest programming languages around. Although it was released decades
ago in 1972, it remains at the top of our list of the most used programming languages due
to its incredible versatility. C has a number of features which put it at the top of this list,
including:

It is super versatile, and is used for everything from mobile game development to car
computer programming.

It is fast, which means that it is arguably the most useful programming language when it
comes to game development.

It has been the basis for a number of other languages, including C# and C++. If you learn
C, you will nd it much easier to learn these other languages.

C was the at the top of the popular programming languages list from the inception of the
Tiobe Index (1987) until the rise of Java in the early 2000s. Since then, it has hovered around
2nd position, regaining the title of the most used programming language brie y around
2013.

Although C can be quite a di cult language to learn, it is obvious that it is also one of the
best. If you would like to give it a go, do some research and nd a reputable course which
teaches the basics in detail.

3. C++

C++ comes in at third on the Tiobe Index with a rating of 7.47%. Although this is well below
the ratings of Java and C, it is still signi cant when compared to other languages on the list.
As another old language – it is almost as old as C – C++ has remained near the top of the
Tiobe Index since its inception.

C++ is used for a number of things, including functional, procedural, and object-oriented
programming. It is super exible, and it can be used to write all sorts of programs. One of
the most common used for C++ is to create applications for used on a range of di erent
devices or platforms. Since it is recognized by most operating systems and browsers, it
really is the perfect language for this.

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Two of the most popular uses of C++ are game development and video editing, which
makes it a popular choice for people who are looking to get into these industries. It is used
by tech giants like LinkedIn, Facebook, NASA, and Microsoft, so there will always be jobs
available for experienced developers.
If C++ seems like an interesting language to learn for you, it is important to realise that it
certainly isn’t one of the easy options. It is a complex language which will require signi cant
time commitments. Do your research and make sure that you choose your courses wisely.

4. Python

Ahh, back to good old Python. A favourite among programming language learners
throughout the world, Python arguably tops the list of the most popular programming
languages to learn rst. It is taught in schools, and many introductory programming courses
teach it because of its simplicity.

Although it was developed in the 1990s, Python has been slowly rising up the Tiobe Index
for years. It broke into the top 5 languages for the rst time a few years ago, and it currently
sits just behind C++.

Python is another very versatile language which is used for all sorts of things. Along with
traditional uses like web development and data analysis, it is becoming increasingly popular
in the elds of Machine learning, arti cial intelligence, and robotics.

As we have already noted, Python is super easy to learn, putting it at the top of the best
programming languages for beginners. BitDegree o ers three courses that are based on
Python. The rst, Learn Python Basics, will teach rst-time programmers everything they
need to know to write Python code. The other two, Learn to Make Python Data Structures
and Python Image Recognition, will help you explore some of the real-world uses of the
language and are more popular among intermediate to advanced Python programmers.

5. Visual Basic .NET

Visual Basic .NET, or VB.NET, is an object-oriented, multi-paradigm programming language
which was developed by Microsoft in 2001. Although it isn’t as common as it used to be,
VB.NET is still a great language for people looking to get into web service application
development.

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It is quite a simple language to learn – as the name implies – and is therefore popular
among beginners. However, the fact that it is simple doesn’t mean that it is weak. In fact,
VB.NET is one of the most powerful languages out there. It is a high level language with very
easy to follow Syntax, and it reads like English.

VB.NET is one of the two major languages, along with C#, that targets the .NET framework.
In most cases, C# is now used instead of VB.NET, so make sure that you do your research
before learning it. Consider what sort of job you might nd with it, and make sure that you
aware that it may provide you with limited opportunities.

6. C#

C# peaked in third place on the Tiobe Index in 2012, and its popularity has been slowly
declining since. However, it still remains one of the most used programming languages due
to its security and robust nature.

It is used to create Windows client applications, XLM Web services, database applications,
client-side server applications, and a whole lot more. It runs on the .NET Framework, like
VB.NET, has a very advanced, easy to use code editor, and makes debugging your code a lot
easier.

As an object-oriented C language, C# can be quite di cult to learn, especially if you have no

previous programming experience. If you already understand the basics of Java, you will
nd C# a lot easier, as they share similar syntax. We recommend choosing a simpler
language like Python or Java to learn rst, and then moving onto C# later.

If you do decide to jump straight into C#, remember to do your research and to take your
time learning. The BitDegree Beginner-Friendly .NET Tutorial provides a brief introduction to
the C# language, and it could be a good place to start for programming beginners.  

7. PHP

Coming in at number 7 on this list, PHP is known as the language of the web. Although
some companies are starting to move from PHP to more modern languages, over 80% of
the websites on the internet still use it. PHP is de nitely among the most in demand
programming languages, and it probably belongs higher on this list.

PHP facilitates back-end web development, allowing developers to build dynamic web
applications complete with MySQL database connections. It is used by high-end developers
throughout the world, which means that learning PHP would be a good place to start your
programming journey. Some of the best features of PHP include:

1. It is very simple to learn, even if you are a complete beginner.

2. It has very understandable, easy to follow syntax.

3. It is exible and user-friendly, allowing you to write even complex code quickly and
e ciently.

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As you can see, PHP would be a great language for you to learn. If you think you would like
to give it a go, head over to BitDegree and have a look at their Learn PHP Online and
Become a PHP Specialist courses.

8. JavaScript

Many people will argue that JavaScript should be higher on this list, and they may well be
right. As a language which has traditionally been used for front-end web development,
JavaScript has exploded in popularity recently as more developers have begun to use it for
back-end development as well. This means that, in theory, JavaScript could be used to
construct the majority of a website.

However, there are people who claim that JavaScript’s sometimes confusing code will result
in it losing a lot of popularity over the coming years. This is de nitely something to keep in
mind when you are choosing a language to learn. Just because JavaScript is one of the most
used programming languages now doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be in the future.
If you believe that JavaScript still has a strong future and want to learn it, consider using
either the Interactive JavaScript Tutorial or the 1 Hour Video JavaScript Tutorial on
BitDegree.

9. SQL

SQL is di erent from a lot of the languages on this list in that it has a very speci c use case –
to facilitate the analysis of consumer, sales, and other data from huge company databases.
Also known as the Structured Query Language, SQL allows you to interact with databases in
the way that you want to. It is used by pretty much all major eCommerce platforms –
including eBay and Amazon – to inform major business and marketing decisions.

There are plenty of reasons why you should consider learning SQL, including:

There is a high demand for SQL developers, which means that there is good money to be
made.

It is much easier to use than things like Microsoft Excel when it comes to data analysis,
saving you time and money.

It will make you a lot more employable as a programmer. SQL can signi cantly impact
your career path, allowing you to potentially command much higher salaries and better
jobs.

If you like the sound of SQL, have a look at the Interactive SQL Tutorial on BitDegree. This
course will teach you the basics of SQL coding, how to access and manage databases, and
how to analyse the data you have.

10. Assembly Language

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Although it probably doesn’t meet the criteria which de ne a programming language,

Assembly Language is a collection of low level programming languages which are used to
control and program speci c computers or other pieces of hardware. The Assembly
Languages are among the most common programming languages simply because they are
very widespread.

They are used in places like scienti c research facilities, medical centers, and various other
places to run simple programs and to control certain devices. Although this probably makes
Assembly Languages among the most useful programming languages, there isn’t any point
learning them unless they are relevant to your work.

Conclusion – Choosing The Most Useful Programming

Language For You
So here we are, at the end of the list of the top most used programming languages. We
looked over a variety of di erent languages, each of which had quite di erent use cases.
Now the big question remains:

How do you choose the most useful programming language for you from this list?

There is no clear answer here. A quick look at any number of popular programming
languages suggests that the best language for one person to learn will not necessarily be
the best language for the next person. Consider the following when deciding on the best
language for you to learn:

What sort of work you want to do. Di erent languages are used for di erent things, which
means that your career choice will guide your choice in programming language.

How much programming experience you have. Harder languages are best left to people
who already have at least some programming knowledge.

Where you want to work. It is important to realise that di erent programming languages
are more in demand in certain parts of the world. Consider this when selecting a
language to learn.

As you can see, there are a plenty of things to think about when it comes to choosing the
right programming language to learn. Starting with a list of the most used programming
language, as outlined above, is a good idea, but remember – the right language for you will
depend on your needs, wants, and commitment to becoming a programmer.

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