Love, Hate, and Controversy: JavaScript, Java, and Perl in the Developer Ecosystem
JavaScript and Java emerge as polarizing figures in JetBrains’ State of Developer Ecosystem 2022 report, showcasing both popularity and disdain among developers surveyed. This comprehensive study, based on insights from over 29,000 developers worldwide, provides a nuanced view of programming language preferences and trends.
According to the report, Java holds a notable position as one of the most favored languages among developers, alongside Kotlin, C#, Python, and Rust. Its widespread adoption and robust ecosystem contribute to its enduring popularity. Conversely, Java also ranks among the least favorite languages, reflecting ongoing critiques about verbosity and boilerplate code.
JavaScript, the cornerstone of web development, remains the most widely used language, with 65% of respondents utilizing it in the past year. Its flexibility and ubiquity in both frontend and backend development underscore its indispensability despite being frequently cited as a least favorite language due to quirks and inconsistencies.
Among the languages earning the dubious distinction of being least liked, JavaScript and Java stand out alongside PHP, C, and C++. Perl, however, emerges as the absolute champion of unpopularity, disliked by a staggering 96% of its users, according to the survey findings. This disparity highlights the varied experiences and preferences within the developer community.
The report also underscores the rapid growth of TypeScript, Microsoft’s statically typed superset of JavaScript, which has seen adoption rise significantly from 12% in 2017 to 34% among respondents. This trend reflects a preference for type safety and enhanced tooling capabilities without sacrificing the familiarity of JavaScript.
Looking forward, the survey reveals that half of all developers are planning to adopt new languages, with Go, Rust, Kotlin, TypeScript, and Python emerging as top contenders. Python, in particular, continues to strengthen its position, closing the gap with JavaScript and surpassing Java as the primary language of choice for many developers, driven by its versatility and extensive libraries.
In conclusion, JetBrains’ State of Developer Ecosystem 2022 report provides a comprehensive snapshot of programming language dynamics and developer sentiment. Despite the love-hate relationship with languages like JavaScript and Java, their integral roles in software development remain indisputable, reflecting the diverse needs and evolving preferences of the global developer community.