January 17, 2025
The History and Popularity of Programming Languages over the Last 40 Years
In our last article “Most popular programming languages in 2024”, we dived into the platform TIOBE and its latest data in relation to the most popular programming languages. We discovered that Python had attracted overwhelming popularity in 2024 because of the exploding demand for AI and data science. Besides Python well-known languages such as C++, C#, Java and JavaScript have maintained their strong positions in the programming language rankings of 2024, proving their long-term popularity.
Today, we will once again draw on index data from TIOBE. This time we will present an overview of shift in programming language popularity over the past 40 years. From 1984 until 2024 to gain a deeper understanding of the historical trajectory of these programming languages. We believe this article is important to understand vital technological milestones that been a big part of shaping the digital landscape as we see it today.
The TIOBE Index is one of the most recognized platforms globally for understanding programming languages and their popularity. It has been trusted and relied upon by developers, businesses, and researchers for many decades. To get a fuller insight into the TIOBE Index, its gauges, and why it still commands such respect within its sectors, we suggest that you refer to the in-depth overview enlisted in the link below.
Most popular programming languages in 2024
The History and Popularity of Programming Languages over the Last 40 Years
In this section, we will go deeper into how programming languages have developed in popularity over the past 40 years. We will look at the period from 1984 up until 2024 as reflected by the TIOBE Index.
Programming Language Popularity Ranking from 1984 to 2024
Programming Language |
1984 |
1989 |
1994 |
1999 |
2004 |
2009 |
2014 |
2019 |
2024 |
Python |
- |
- |
23 |
24 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
C++ |
13 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
C |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Java |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
C# |
- |
- |
- |
13 |
9 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
JavaScript |
- |
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
Go |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
35 |
18 |
7 |
Visual Basic |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
234 |
20 |
8 |
SQL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
100 |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
Fortran |
11 |
9 |
5 |
17 |
14 |
25 |
30 |
29 |
10 |
Ada |
3 |
4 |
7 |
12 |
16 |
26 |
32 |
35 |
24 |
Lisp |
2 |
3 |
6 |
19 |
13 |
17 |
17 |
31 |
30 |
Objective-C |
- |
- |
- |
- |
38 |
27 |
3 |
10 |
35 |
(Visual) Basic |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
41 |
- |
- |
* Average popularity ranking for the 12 months of each year
* "(Visual) Basic" originally encompassed all Basic dialects, including Visual Basic. Since 2011, after splitting these variants into distinct categories (Visual Basic .NET, Classic Visual Basic, etc.), the major implementation, Visual Basic .NET, is now referred to simply as "Visual Basic."
* SQL, despite its age, was only added to the TIOBE Index in 2018 after it was pointed out to be Turing complete, resulting in a relatively short presence there.
1984 would be the year that really mattered for the IT industry and Apple. It was the year when Apple launched the first personal computer called Macintosh, with a graphical user interface (GUI). In its wake, Microsoft rolled out its very first operating system, Windows 1.0, in 1985. This time also marked an era for PCs as we know it today and is symbolic starting point for the 40 years journey.
A broad look at the TIOBE Index trends from 1984 to 2024 reveals that the most popular programming languages have changed dramatically in tandem with available computing resources, evolving software development methodologies, and shifting industry structures.
Back in 1984, the programming language C was dominating. Remarkably, even after four decades, C still ranks near the top of the programming language ranking in 2024. However, Python has now ascended to become the undisputed leader among today’s most popular programming languages.
This long-term trajectory underscores a fundamental pattern: a steady shift from low-level to high-level languages, and eventually toward specialized languages thriving in cutting-edge domains.
Next, let's take a look at the changes of popular programming languages in each decade from the 1980s to the 2020s.
1980s–1990s: The Era of C, Fortran, Lisp, and Ada
Since 1984, the programming language C has proved its importance and efficiency at a time where limited capabilities and resources were available. Meanwhile, languages like Lisp, Ada, and Fortran rose to prominence, particularly in scientific computing and embedded systems. These languages served as the cornerstone of computer engineering and computational science at the time. Today, C is still one of the most popular choices for systems programming.
2000s: The Ascent of Java and C++
Around the late 1990s and early 2000s, the rise of the Internet and object-oriented programming boosted the popularity of Java and C++. While C remained strong, holding the No.1 spot in 2004 and almost maintaining it in 2009, Java surpassed C to claim the top position in the TIOBE index by 2009. C++ enjoyed strong popularity, placing third in both 2004 and 2009 and claimed its status among the most popular programming languages. Meanwhile, as Windows dominated the PC market, Microsoft’s C# saw increasing growth, climbing to sixth place by 2009.
2010s: The Rise of Python
The technologies of data science, AI, and machine learning propelled the 2010s and changed rankings in popular programming languages. Python, ranked seventh in 2014, gushed to third by the TIOBE index by 2019. Its mighty repositories, frameworks, and unmatched versatility in data, AI, and Python scripting all played a big part in this rise.C retained the big number one spot in 2014 and the second place by 2019. During that time, JavaScript became solidified as the de facto front-end development language, whereas Go found its place as a cloud-native. Languages like Objective-C were briefly to spike due to iOS development, soon to yield prominence to the new laurel, Swift.
2020s (until mid-2020s): Python’s Unstoppable Lead and the Enduring Legacy Languages
By 2024, Python had firmly established itself as the leading language in the programming language ranking, leaving its nearest competitors far behind. The unrelenting demand for AI, machine learning, and data science propelled Python to become the industry’s “common language,” bridging developers across countless domains. Meanwhile, legacy languages like C++ and C remain popular mainstays, and Java, C#, and JavaScript—pillars of the 2000s and 2010s—continue to command strong positions.
Languages like Fortran, Ada, and Lisp, developed in earlier eras, still play vital roles in niche sectors where their unique capabilities are indispensable. In the 2020s, cutting-edge technologies coexist with these legacy systems, reflecting the rich and diverse landscape of modern programming languages.
Conclusion
In the 40 years from 1984 to 2024, as technology has evolved significantly, the computing and business environments have also changed dynamically. Following these changes, various programming languages have risen and fallen.
When hardware resources were a constraint, C, Lisp, Ada, and Fortran were widely used, when the demand for commercial enterprise applications expanded, Java was one of the most popular programming languages. And in the AI era of 2024, Python had firmly claimed the top spot in the programming language ranking.
After 2025, which programming languages will become more popular in the ever-innovating IT ecosystem? It will be important to keep an eye on the ever-changing trends in programming languages.
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