Programming languages are the foundation of all software applications and are used to build everything from small scripts to large-scale apps. Choosing the right programming language is crucial for any project, as it can impact the performance, maintainability, and scalability of the application. That being said, we are all curious to see which languages are popular among developers. 

In this blog, we’ll be looking at the top programming languages as voted by the tech community in the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2022. Whether you are a beginner programmer looking to learn your first language or a veteran looking to grow your skill stack, this article will hopefully provide some helpful insights. 

1. JavaScript

Not surprising to anyone, JavaScript was voted the most popular programming language in 2022. As you know JS is the language of the web, supported by all modern web browsers and capable of building dynamic and interactive websites. 

JavaScript is not just the language of front-end web development, it’s also used and loved by backend devs and full stack engineers as well. In Europe, some of the most desired developers are those with JavaScript knowledge, especially devs with React.js or Node.js skills. So if you’re in the market for a job, it might be time to brush up on some React. 

When it comes to salary, JavaScript developers, on average, skew on the lower end of the scale compared with the top earners: Clojure and Erlang. According to the StackOverflow data, the highest-paid JS developers are Svelte developers. 

Median Salary:  $65,580 

JavaScript is used for:

• Building interactive and dynamic websites and web-based applications
• Validating user input
• Building server-side applications and APIs
• Creating mobile applications
• Manipulating the appearance and layout of a web page in real-time

‍

2. HTML/CSS

HTML and CSS are used to build and style the front end of web applications. They are essential technologies for building web pages and web applications, and they are supported by all modern web browsers.

Like JavaScript, HTML/CSS are top of the list, because they are foundational and used by a huge portion of the community. Despite the popularity, I don’t think you can get a frontend job knowing only HTML/CSS, you’ll have to partner these skills up with JavaScript, C# or PHP at the very least. 

Median Salary:  $63,984

HTML/CSS is used for: 

• Web documents 
• Website development 
• Website design

3. SQL

SQL (Structured Query Language) is popular among developers because it is a standard language for interacting with databases. It is used to create, modify, and query databases, as well as to control access to the data. This means that developers can use SQL to work with a wide variety of databases, regardless of the Database Management Systems they are using.

Median Salary:  $69,108

SQL is used for: 

• Creating and modifying tables in a database
• Inserting, updating, and deleting data in a database
• Querying a database to retrieve specific data
• Setting permissions on database objects and data
• Creating views and stored procedures in a database

4. Python

Python has a simple, easy-to-learn syntax, which makes it a great language for beginners. It also has a large standard library, which includes a wide range of functions and modules that can be used to build a wide range of applications.

Python is commonly used for web development, scientific computing, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. It has a number of powerful libraries and frameworks that support these use cases, such as Django for web development, NumPy for scientific computing, and sci-kit-learn for machine learning.

Median Salary:  $71,105

Python is used for: 

• Web development
• Scientific computing and data analysis
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Desktop applications
• System automation and administration
• Games

5. TypeScript

TypeScript is a typed superset of JavaScript, which means it includes all the features of JavaScript and adds support for static typing. This makes it easier to write and maintain large-scale JavaScript applications, as it helps catch errors before the code is run. TypeScript also includes features like interfaces and classes, which are not available in JavaScript, and it supports JSX, the syntax for embedding XML in JavaScript.

TypeScript is popular because it is designed to be scalable and easy to maintain. It is often used in large-scale applications where the codebase is expected to grow and evolve over time. It’s used by many large companies, such as Asana, Asics, and Airbnb, which adds to its popularity among developers.

Median Salary:  $70,276

TypeScript is used for: 

• Web development
• Mobile development
• Desktop development
• Games
  
  

6. Java

Java is a widely-used language with a long history and a large and active community of users. It is one of the oldest and most widely-used programming languages, and it is used in a variety of applications, including web development, mobile development, and scientific computing. This means that Java has a large ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools that developers can use to build a wide range of applications.

Java is popular because it is a powerful and versatile language that is well-suited for building large-scale, enterprise-level applications. It is an object-oriented language, which means it is organized around "objects" that have properties and methods, and it supports features like polymorphism, inheritance, and encapsulation. 

Median Salary:  $64,572

Java is used for:

• Web development
• Mobile development (especially Android apps)
• Desktop applications
• Embedded systems
• Big data processing

‍

7. C#

C# is a powerful and versatile language that is well-suited for building a wide range of applications. C# is popular because it is a modern language that is constantly being updated and improved. It is developed and maintained by Microsoft, and it is used to build a wide range of applications, including Windows desktop applications, mobile apps, web applications, and games. 

In addition, C# has a large and active community of users, with many open-source libraries and tools available for C# developers. It is also used by many large companies, such as Dell and Intel, which adds to its popularity among developers.

Median Salary: $69,516

What is C# used for: 

• Windows applications
• Mobile development
• Game development
• Web development
• Cloud and distributed systems

Find a programming job! 

Looking at the results from the survey it seems to me that the more popular languages on this list don’t pay as well as those that developers are less fond of. For example, F# and Erlang are rated low in terms of popularity but on the scale of average pay, they top the list. Something to think about if you’re looking to specialise…

Anyway, that covers the top programming languages of 2023! Whether you are skilled in JavaScript, Python, SQL, or any other language, hundreds of companies are hiring in Europe on WeAreDevelopers. Create a profile and let companies apply to you!