Why Developers Are Ditching These Popular Programming Languages
If you’re a developer, it’s likely that you’ve been at least somewhat aware of the recent backlash against JavaScript as the go-to language for web development. While JavaScript isn’t going anywhere, with frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue on the rise, it seems to have fallen out of favor with experienced developers who are interested in building more complex systems or projects. As these developers continue to diversify their skill sets, they’re also migrating to more popular programming languages such as Python and Go.
No. 1 – Java
Java is a versatile and powerful programming language that can be used for developing a wide range of applications. However, developers are increasingly ditching Java in favor of other languages that are more suited to specific tasks. For example, developers may use Python for data science or Swift for developing iOS apps. It’s important to note that just because the popularity of Java has declined does not mean it will disappear altogether. It still remains one of the most popular programming languages for web development and enterprise applications.
No. 2 – Objective-C
Apple’s Objective-C has been on the decline for a few years now, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. According to the TIOBE Index, Objective-C is the second most popular programming language, but it’s also the second fastest declining language. Objective-C is just behind Visual Basic in terms of popularity (Visual Basic came in at number three), but Visual Basic was number one in terms of being on the rise. So while Objective-C may still be one of the more popular languages out there, that popularity is quickly dwindling away with each passing year.
No. 3 – PHP
In recent years, PHP has become increasingly unpopular among developers. This is due in part to its declining popularity as a server-side scripting language, as well as its dwindling support from major web platforms like WordPress. Additionally, many newer languages are now viewed as more user-friendly and easier to learn than PHP. As a result, PHP is now one of the fastest declining programming languages. For example, according to TIOBE Index, PHP’s usage dropped from 14% to 12% over the last five years. If you’re currently learning how to code with PHP or you have a project that requires it, don’t worry – it will still be around for at least another few years!
No. 4 – Visual Basic
Visual Basic has been a popular programming language for years, but its popularity is declining. One reason for this is that it’s a Microsoft-specific language, so it can be difficult to use on other platforms. Additionally, it’s not as versatile as some of the newer languages out there. Finally, it can be challenging to read and write code in Visual Basic, which is why many developers are choosing to ditch it in favor of something else.
No. 5- Assembly language (6502)
Once a mainstay in video game development and low-level system programming, Assembly language is becoming increasingly rare. This is due in part to the declining popularity of 8-bit systems, as well as the rise of more high-level languages that are easier to learn and more productive. Despite its decline, Assembly language still has a loyal following among some developers, and there are even a few new projects that are trying to keep the language alive. The most popular of these projects is Assembly Revival, which aims to create an open source compiler for a wide variety of platforms. Other examples include: 6502 Toolchain, Coco 6502 and NLX.
No. 6 – COBOL
There’s no doubt that COBOL has been around for a long time. It was first developed in 1959 and has been used in mission-critical applications ever since. However, developers are now turning their backs on this aging language in favor of newer options that are more suited to modern development needs.
No. 7 – Delphi
Developers who once relied on Delphi for its visual programming capabilities and ability to create cross-platform applications are now turning to other languages. Delphi’s popularity has declined in recent years, and it is no longer one of the top 10 most popular programming languages, according to the TIOBE Index. The reasons for this decline include the language’s aging syntax, lack of updates and support, and competition from newer languages that offer more features and better performance.
No. 8 – RUBY
One popular programming language that developers are ditching is Ruby. In fact, according to the 2020 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, Ruby is the 10th most popular programming language. However, it’s also the fastest declining language, with a -16.7% year-over-year growth.
