Microsoft’s .NET Language, C#, Narrows Gap with Java in Tiobe Popularity Index
Microsoft’s C# language is steadily gaining ground on Java in the Tiobe index of programming language popularity, indicating that C# might soon surpass Java. The latest Tiobe index for October 2023 shows that the gap between the two languages is narrowing, with Java holding an 8.92% rating and C# close behind at 7.71%, a difference of just about 1.2 percentage points. Tiobe, a software quality services company, predicts that under the current trend, C# could overtake Java within a few months.
Java, which had long been the top language in the Tiobe index, has seen its position decline in recent years, now ranking behind C, Python, and C++. Both C# and Java are object-oriented and type-safe languages, used in similar domains, and have been direct competitors for two decades. One significant factor contributing to Java’s decline, according to Tiobe, is Oracle’s introduction of a paid license model for Oracle Java, which has likely driven some developers to look for alternatives.
In contrast, Microsoft has taken a more developer-friendly approach with C#, making it free and open source. Additionally, Java faces competition from Kotlin, a language fully compatible with the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that offers ease of use and is also free. Despite these challenges, Java remains a crucial language in enterprise computing. The recent release of Java 21 and the upcoming Java 22 highlight its ongoing relevance. Furthermore, free open source binaries of Java are still available via OpenJDK.
The Tiobe index measures the popularity of programming languages by evaluating the number of skilled engineers, courses, and third-party vendors associated with each language. This assessment is based on search engine results from Google, Bing, Yahoo, and others.
Object-oriented, type-safe C# and Java, famous for offering portability via the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), have been used in similar domains and thus have been competitors for two decades now, Tiobe said. Tiobe cited Oracle’s introduction of a paid license model for Oracle Java as one reason for Java’s decline.
Microsoft took the opposite approach, making C# free and open source, Tiobe said. Further, Java must also deal with Kotlin, a fully compatible direct competitor on the JVM that is easier to use and free of charge, along with Java not having changed much in recent years, Tiobe said. Nevertheless Java remains a critical language in enterprise computing, with Java 21 just released last month and Java 22 due next March. And free open source binaries of Java still are available via OpenJDK.
While Java’s position may be slipping in the index, it continues to be a mainstay in the enterprise software landscape, backed by a robust ecosystem and continued updates. However, C#’s increasing popularity, driven by its free and open-source nature, as well as Microsoft’s extensive support, suggests a dynamic shift in the programming landscape. As C# gains traction, it presents a compelling option for developers, further intensifying the competition between these two long-standing rivals.