Stack Overflow’s 2023 Developer Survey Reveals User Satisfaction Gap Between Rust and Other Popular Languages Like JavaScript and Python
For the eleventh consecutive year, JavaScript has maintained its position as the most commonly used programming language among developers, according to Stack Overflow’s annual developer survey. This year’s survey reflects the ongoing dominance of JavaScript in the web development landscape, where it continues to be an essential tool for building interactive and dynamic web applications. Nearly 90,000 software developers from around the world participated in the survey, which was conducted in early May, showcasing the widespread reliance on JavaScript across various projects and platforms.
In addition to being the most used language, JavaScript also ranks as the most desired language among developers, with many expressing a keen interest in further exploring its capabilities. Following closely behind in this category is Python, which has consistently garnered popularity due to its simplicity and versatility in data science, web development, and machine learning. However, while JavaScript and Python are widely adopted, it is Rust that has captured the admiration of developers. Approximately 85% of those who have worked with Rust expressed a desire to continue using it in the future, significantly outpacing the interest shown for JavaScript and Python, which stand at 58% and 66% respectively.
Rust’s high admiration rating is indicative of its growing reputation for safety and performance, particularly in systems programming. Its emphasis on memory safety without sacrificing speed makes it an attractive choice for developers looking to build reliable applications. Additionally, the survey revealed that TypeScript and Zig are also among the most admired languages, further emphasizing the trend toward languages that enhance developer productivity and safety.
In terms of usage statistics, the survey shows that HTML/CSS follows JavaScript as the second most commonly used language, with Python claiming the third spot this year, overtaking SQL, which fell to fourth. This shift highlights the increasing relevance of Python in various domains, including web development and data analysis. TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing, rounds out the top five languages, reflecting its rising adoption among developers looking for enhanced tooling and error detection.
The survey also yielded significant insights into database usage, with PostgreSQL surpassing MySQL to become the most commonly used database among respondents. This change signals a growing preference for PostgreSQL’s advanced features and capabilities, particularly in complex data environments. Meanwhile, Amazon Web Services (AWS) continues to dominate the cloud platform landscape, far outpacing competitors like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, which occupy second and third place, respectively.
Overall, the Stack Overflow 2023 Developer Survey illustrates the dynamic nature of programming language preferences and the evolving landscape of development tools. As developers increasingly seek languages that not only meet their functional needs but also enhance their overall satisfaction, Rust’s rise in admiration showcases a shift toward prioritizing developer experience and application safety in programming choices.