TIOBE Programming Language Index News (August 2024): Python gains its “hegemony”

Python, the number one programming language in the TIOBE Programming Language Community Index in August, strengthened its position at the top.

Python rose from 16.12% of points in July to 18.04% in August, a big jump. This follows an equally remarkable year-over-year gain of 4.71%. Overall, the top 10 saw some movement near the bottom, with SQL continuing its upward momentum that began in May.

The TIOBE programming community index shows trends in programming languages ​​based on search volume.

Python approaches record lead over C++

“This is probably Python’s next step toward becoming the most popular programming language ever,” wrote Paul Jansen, CEO of TIOBE Software, in the monthly edition of the TIOBE Index.

Python has an 8% lead over the second language on the list, C++. Jansen said that this difference is “almost a record.” To break that record, the difference between the two languages’ rankings would have to reach 9.55%, which was Java’s lead over C in November 2016.

“In summary, Python’s hegemony is now undeniable,” Jansen wrote.

“Is there a new language that will soon approach Python?” Jansen wrote. “Possible candidates Rust and Kotlin are quickly approaching the top ten of the TIOBE index, but it will be a long time before they become a real threat to Python.”

Rust is in 14th place. Kotlin is in 18th place, which is a significant year-on-year improvement from 27th place, which it held in August 2023.

When TechRepublic asked about Python’s popularity in March, Jansen attributed it in part to the “incredible demand for new developers,” who often seek out Python because it’s one of the “languages ​​with gentle learning curves.”

Other changes in the TIOBE index in August

C++ and C remained in second and third place in August. Further up the index, SQL rose from 10th to 7th. Fortran moved into 10th place, dropping from 9th for the venerable language.