When you’re new to the world of software development, one of the most daunting tasks is deciding which programming language to dive into. There exists a multitude of languages, each supporting various programming paradigms and possessing its unique intricacies.
This list continually expands as new languages emerge, while some older ones fade into obscurity, overshadowed by the popularity of more contemporary web-based languages.
Whether you’re just starting in this field or seeking to refine your skills, it’s invaluable to be aware of the web programming languages currently in high demand. Consequently, we have compiled a roster of the top web development languages poised to dominate the scene in 2024.
Top Web App Development Language in 2024
1. JavaScript
JavaScript has maintained its status as one of the most popular programming languages in the field of web development for a significant duration. Consistently, for a decade now, JavaScript has held its position as the most widely utilized programming language.
According to the results of the StackOverflow Developer Survey in 2023, a significant 63.61% of professional developers engage in programming using JavaScript.
What attributes contribute to the extensive adoption of JavaScript? There are several compelling reasons behind this phenomenon. Firstly, JavaScript stands out as a robust and adaptable language that receives continuous implementation support from various web browsers.
Its versatility extends to both back-end and front-end web development, making it compatible for use on both client and server sides, thus allowing it to function seamlessly across a wide range of platforms, from web browsers to powerful servers.
Additionally, JavaScript boasts an array of framework libraries that empower developers to construct intricate applications with minimal resource overhead. Moreover, the intuitive nature of JavaScript package managers facilitates the swift and straightforward sharing of code among development teams, thereby enhancing the efficiency and speed of communication within teams.
Lastly, a pivotal development occurred with the introduction of Node.js in 2009, which granted developers the capability to code in a unified language, enabling both front-end and back-end development to occur within a single programming language.
✍ Use cases
- Embedded systems
- System Programming
- Scientific computing
- Developing libraries and tools for other languages
✍ Pros
- Fast and efficient
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Low-level hardware access
- Large community
- Popular and easy-to-find resources
✍ Cons
- Limited abstraction
- No built-in error handling
2. Python
According to the RedMonk rankings, Python has secured the second position among the most favored web development languages. These rankings from RedMonk rely on data from StackOverflow (discussions) and GitHub (code). Remarkably, this marks the first instance since 2012 when Java hasn’t been one of the top two preferred languages for web application development.
As of February 2023, the TIOBE index reveals that Python has now claimed the top spot among the most popular programming languages. Java has slipped to fourth place, an occurrence not witnessed in nearly two decades. The explanation for this shift can be attributed to the surge in machine learning interest among developers, drawn to Python for its user-friendly syntax and support for multiple programming paradigms.
Python boasts an extensive library of software components that can seamlessly integrate into code and be scaled up for robust applications. This flexibility opens up numerous development opportunities, spanning from web and desktop applications to managing system operations.
Due to its syntax, which resembles the English language, Python is often recommended for newcomers to software development. Learning and writing code in Python demands significantly less effort when compared to other web application languages.
✍ Use cases
- Machine learning
- Data Science
- Statistical analysis
✍ Pros
- Cross-Platform compatibility
- Extensive range of libraries
- Powerful graphics
- Large & helpful community
✍ Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Bespoke data structures
- Memory management with large data sets
3. Java
Java is consistently forecasted to exit the roster of premier languages for web development. Yet, each year, this prediction fails to materialize. A whopping 10,314 companies have affirmed their utilization of Java, with industry giants like Google, Instagram, Netflix, and Amazon prominently featured among them.
Java’s enduring prominence in enterprise application development is virtually assured, primarily due to its robust security features, an essential prerequisite for any organization. Furthermore, Java presents an approachable, adaptable, and reusable codebase that yields user-friendly interfaces for applications. Bolstered by a multitude of libraries at its disposal, Java stands out as one of the most apt languages for constructing enterprise applications.
Java boasts another key advantage: a remarkable degree of platform independence, thanks to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) feature. Notably, numerous popular programming languages, including Kotlin, Scala, and Groovy, employ the JVM as their runtime environment.
Java remains in a state of continuous updates, with a new iteration every six months, even in the face of calamities and pandemics. Despite the absence of any rivals in terms of stability and trustworthiness, “Java, the immortal,” continues to maintain its unwavering position among the top-tier languages for web application development.
✍ Use cases
- Enterprise applications
- Desktop applications
- Mobile development (Android)
- Web applications
- Big data
✍ Pros
- Cross-platform
- Highly versatile
- Secure and stable
- Suitable for large applications
✍ Cons
- Relatively complex syntax
- Slow execution times
4. PHP
As reported by W3techs, PHP commands a usage share of 76.9% across all websites. Within this substantial share, notable entities like Wikipedia, Facebook, and Tumblr proudly feature. PHP stands as an open-source language, offering an extensive array of built-in tools and supplementary modules, making it a favored choice for constructing both dynamic and static websites. Due to its extensive history, PHP benefits from a vast user base that has contributed frameworks, libraries, and automation tools, streamlining the development process.
PHP boasts a gentle learning curve, making it approachable for newcomers. It facilitates the creation of high-quality web applications within tight timeframes, ensuring ease of maintenance and debugging down the road. Despite facing stiff competition from the languages mentioned above, the demand for PHP-savvy developers remains substantial.
✍ Use cases
- Session and cookie management
- E-commerce applications
- Desktop applications
- Content management systems
✍ Pros
- Easy to learn
- Large and active community
- Great documentation
- Highly performant
- Cross-platform
✍ Cons
- Inconsistent syntax
- Weak support for OOP
- Lacks strict typing
5. Go
The programming language Go, while relatively new, has experienced substantial growth in popularity in recent years. It stands out as one of the fastest-growing programming languages today, offering abundant opportunities for both novice developers embarking on their careers and experienced professionals looking to enhance their technical expertise.
Go originated from the minds of Google employees who designed it to tackle the expansive challenges faced by Google itself. This unique pedigree has contributed to its widespread adoption among companies dealing with significant scaling issues.
What sets Go apart is its remarkable combination of speed and efficiency. It’s a statically typed compiled language that manages to provide the flexibility and ease of use typically associated with dynamically typed, interpreted languages.
It boasts a straightforward learning curve, facilitates interoperability, and enjoys extensive support from the developer community. While Go may not offer an extensive array of features, especially when compared to languages like C++, it excels at addressing the most common programming requirements.
✍ Use cases
- Web applications
- Systems programming
- Big data
- Cloud computing
- Machine Learning
✍ Pros
- Simple syntax
- Cross-platform
- Fast execution (compiled vs. interpreted)
- Garbage collection
- Supported by Google
- Concurrency
✍ Cons
- Relatively new, so limited in libraries
- The steep learning curve for some concepts
- No inheritance
6. TypeScript
Over the past few years, TypeScript has experienced a significant surge in popularity. We observe that TypeScript has risen to the 7th position in GitHub pull requests as of the 2nd quarter of 2023, seemingly out of nowhere. Beyond receiving support from tech giants like Microsoft and Google, there are other compelling factors contributing to TypeScript’s widespread adoption.
TypeScript is built upon JavaScript, enhancing the development experience at all scales. In simple terms, TypeScript is JavaScript with static typing, available whenever you require it. According to research, TypeScript can identify 15% of JavaScript bugs.
When compared to JavaScript, TypeScript code is more amenable to refactoring, enabling developers to rectify errors and rewrite code with greater ease. Moreover, transitioning code written in languages like C#, Java, or PHP to TypeScript is considerably smoother compared to doing so with JavaScript.
✍ Use cases
- Client-side development
- Server-side development
- Mobile app development
- Game development
✍ Pros
- Early bug detection
- Improved code readability
- Frameworks/Libraries support
- Ability to use modern JS features
- Advantage for job candidates
✍ Cons
- It takes longer to write code
- It can give a false sense of security
7. Ruby
Ruby is one of the leaders among the most paid development languages, as sometimes it might take effort to find experienced specialists using this language in some markets. It’s not a mainstream language, but one of the most efficient.
Companies such as GitHub, Airbnb, Hulu, and others use Ruby. As of 2023, the Ruby on Rails ecosystem has one of the most popular communities on GitHub – over 4,6k contributors. In comparison, the most popular Python framework, Django, has 2,3k.
The language is famous for its flexibility, security, and relatively short development period.
✍ Use cases
- Web development
- Data Science
- Automation
- Command-line tools
✍ Pros
- Clear and readable syntax
- Designed with productivity in mind
- Supports metaprogramming
- Active online community
✍ Cons
- Lack of static typing
- Prioritizes developer productivity over performance
- Version compatibility issues
8. Rust
Mozilla developed Rust for systems programming. Often compared with C and C++, Rust offers low-level control with an emphasis on memory and thread safety. It’s become very popular very quickly, with developers voting it the most-loved language for eight years in a row.
Rust is commonly used for systems software, like operating systems, device drivers, and network protocols, not to mention web apps and command-line tools. Overall, Rust is a powerful and modern programming language quickly gaining a strong reputation.
✍ Use cases
- Operating systems
- Game engines
- Web browsers
- Embedded systems
✍ Pros
- Cross-platform support
- Fast and highly performant
- Large and active online community
- Interoperability with C and C++
✍ Cons
- Compilation can be slow for large projects
- Steep learning curve
- Limited libraries and tools
Conclusion
Based on our analysis, these programming languages will be in high demand in 2024. Certainly, this roster can be expanded since there is only a one-size-fits-all solution for some programmer or business.
Before selecting a programming language, we strongly advise conducting thorough research on your target market and audience, defining the features your application should encompass, and then determining the type of application you intend to create.
We are more than happy to offer you a complimentary consultation regarding the optimal choice of web application development language and stack for your project. Which programming language do you believe is the most suitable for web applications? We would greatly appreciate your input in the comments section below.