TIOBE language index shows the rise of JavaScript

The latest Programming Community Index, published by TIOBE Software shows a recent rise in the popularity of JavaScript. For the first time since the index was established, JavaScript has surpassed both Python and Perl in popularity. In contrast, Google's JavaScript contender Dart is at position 78 in the ranking. Similarly, Google's Go language also dropped out of the top 50.

The TIOBE index is no indication of the quality of programming languages, but it aims to reflect their popularity by trying to determine how many lines of code are written in the respective languages. The data for the index is based on the number of jobs and training courses available for each language and is collected through search engines such as Google, Baidu and Bing and web sites such as Amazon and YouTube.

The low ranking of Dart and the fall of Go out of the top 50 may reflect Google's difficulties in getting traction for their open sourced languages. Although Go was well received at first, it has yet to capture any significant mind-share among developers.

As was the case last year, Java is still the most popular language with C also holding at the number two spot. Behind them, C# and C++ have switched places with C# now being the third most popular language. Apple's Objective-C has displaced PHP in the number five spot, most likely owing to the rise of the iOS platform in the marketplace. While Basic is holding at seven, JavaScript is now in the eighth place with Python and Perl bringing up the rear in the top ten.

(fab)