Unpacking the Key Programming Trends of 2020: Insights from Top Surveys

Hey everyone! So, 2020 was a pretty wild year for pretty much everyone, and the tech world was no different. We’ve been digging into some of the big surveys out there to see what was actually happening with programming trends. It’s interesting to see what folks were using, what they wanted to learn, and how the whole developer landscape was shifting. Let’s break down some of the main things we found from the programming trends 2020 data.

Key Takeaways

• Python really stepped up its game in 2020, becoming more popular than SQL for developers. That’s a pretty big move!
• The survey showed a clear split in how people learn to code: younger developers lean heavily on online stuff like videos and blogs, while older coders still prefer books and school.
• When it comes to cloud platforms, AWS is still the leader, but Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure are catching up fast. It’s definitely a space to watch.
• Git is basically a must-have tool now, with over 90% of developers using it. If you’re not using Git, you’re kinda out of step.
• While some languages might be seeing a dip in overall usage, like Ruby, they can still be top earners. It shows that popularity isn’t always the only thing that matters for developers.

1. Most Popular Technologies

It’s always interesting to see what tools developers are actually using day-to-day. This year, JavaScript continues its reign as the most used programming language, which makes sense given how much of development is still web-focused. HTML/CSS is right there too, showing that front-end skills are still super important.

Python has also made a significant jump, swapping places with SQL to become the third most popular language. That’s a pretty big deal!

Here’s a look at the top languages developers reported working with:

• JavaScript: 64.96%
• HTML/CSS: 56.07%
• Python: 48.24%
• SQL: 47.08%
• Java: 35.35%

When we look at web frameworks, React.js has officially taken the top spot, surpassing jQuery. It seems like the React ecosystem is really where it’s at for a lot of people building for the web. We’re also seeing strong showings from Angular and Express.

It’s also worth noting that Git is practically universal, with over 90% of developers using it. That’s not really a surprise, though; it’s pretty much a requirement these days. We’re also seeing a lot of adoption for tools like Docker and Kubernetes, which are becoming standard for managing applications. It’s clear that cloud platforms like AWS are also a major part of the development landscape, with many wanting to work with them. You can see how these trends are shaping the future of technology advancements.

2. Worked With vs. Want to Work With

It’s always interesting to see what developers are actually using versus what they’re hoping to get their hands on in the future. This section really highlights the current landscape and where the industry might be heading.

Looking at programming languages, there’s a clear desire among many JavaScript developers to branch out into Go or Rust. That’s a pretty significant number of people looking to explore new territory. On the flip side, if you’re using Dart, chances are you’re coming from JavaScript and want to stick with it. It’s also notable that the only folks wanting to work with PHP seem to be those already using SQL.

When it comes to web frameworks, it looks like developers are pretty happy staying put. Django, Flask, and Spring users seem content with their current tools, with very few expressing a desire to switch to something like ASP.NET. The data also shows that developers interested in Hadoop are typically the ones already working with Pandas or NumPy. Interestingly, there’s a bit of a one-way street with TensorFlow and PyTorch; more PyTorch users want to try TensorFlow than the other way around.

Cloud platforms show a similar trend of loyalty, though there are some shifts. While AWS is a favorite, a good chunk of AWS developers are looking to move into Google Cloud next year. Developers using Heroku or Digital Ocean seem to be aiming for AWS or Google Cloud next, with Azure being a less popular choice for them. It’s a small world, but these movements tell a story.

Here’s a quick look at some popular development environments:

• Visual Studio Code remains the top choice, with a huge percentage of developers using it and wanting to continue using it.
• Visual Studio and IntelliJ are also holding strong positions.
• There’s a noticeable interest in IPython/Jupyter among those who want to work with VS Code, likely due to VS Code’s growing notebook capabilities.

Git is, unsurprisingly, the tool most developers have worked with and want to continue working with. Docker is also very popular in both categories. It’s clear these tools are central to modern development workflows.

3. Most Loved, Dreaded, and Wanted

It’s always interesting to see which technologies developers really enjoy using, which ones they’d rather avoid, and which ones are on their radar for the future. This year, Rust continues its reign as the most loved programming language, a spot it’s held for a while now. It seems like its focus on safety and performance really clicks with developers.

When it comes to what people want to work with, Python is still a big draw, marking its fifth year as the most wanted language. It’s great to see languages like TypeScript and Go also high on that list, showing a clear interest in modern, efficient tools. Developers are clearly looking for languages that offer both power and a good development experience.

On the flip side, while the data doesn’t explicitly list "dreaded" languages in this section, the "want to work with" percentages give us a clue about what’s gaining traction versus what might be falling behind. For instance, seeing languages like Python and TypeScript so high on the "want to work with" list suggests that older or less flexible languages might be less appealing to new projects.

It’s also worth noting the trends in other areas. For databases, Redis is still the top pick for being loved, and PostgreSQL is just barely ahead of MongoDB as the most wanted. On the other hand, IBM DB2 has been the most dreaded for two years running. In the cloud space, AWS is leading the pack, being both the most loved and most wanted platform. It’s a pretty clear picture of where the industry’s attention is focused. If you’re curious about what’s popular, checking out the most popular technologies is a good starting point.

4. Top Paying Technologies

When it comes to what developers are earning, some languages and technologies really stand out. It looks like the folks working with Clojure are bringing home the most cash, with a median salary that’s a good chunk higher than the next in line. F# isn’t far behind, either.

It’s interesting to see how the landscape shifts year to year. For instance, Perl, which was at the top last year, has moved down to fifth place. This kind of movement shows how dynamic the tech world is and how quickly new skills can become highly valued.

Here’s a look at some of the top earners based on the survey data:

Beyond these top performers, other technologies like APL, Groovy, and Crystal also show strong earning potential. Even more common languages like Bash/Shell and PowerShell are paying well, though not at the very top tier. It really highlights that specializing in certain, perhaps less common, languages can lead to significant financial rewards in the development field.

5. Learning & Problem Solving

When developers run into a snag, how long does it take them to figure things out? It turns out, it really depends on what they’re working on. For instance, folks wrestling with software architecture and performance issues seem to take the longest, with almost 30% needing over an hour to sort things out. That’s a pretty big chunk of time!

On the flip side, when it comes to web application development, a good number of developers, around 16.7%, can get past their problems in under 15 minutes. That’s speedy!

Here’s a quick look at how long it takes people to solve problems, broken down by what they’re doing:

• Less than 30 minutes: Nearly half (44.9%) of those working on application quality and security issues fall into this group.
• More than 1 hour: About 29.5% of developers working on software architecture and performance issues reported needing this much time.
• Less than 15 minutes: A notable 16.7% of developers in web application development can resolve issues this quickly.

It seems like the complexity of the task really plays a role in how long it takes to get unstuck. Figuring out how to fix things is a big part of the job, and the time it takes can vary a lot.

6. Developer Profile

When we look at who’s actually doing the coding, the picture is pretty clear. Full-stack developers are the most common group, making up nearly half of all respondents. Back-end developers are right behind them, followed by front-end developers. It’s interesting to see how roles like "designer" have shifted down the list compared to previous years, with system administrators now appearing more frequently.

Most developers are men, with about 91% identifying as such. However, the US has a higher percentage of gender minorities compared to other countries, which is something to keep in mind. We’ve got a ways to go to make sure everyone feels welcome and represented in this field.

Age-wise, the largest group of professional developers falls between 25 and 34 years old, making up almost 40% of the total. The next biggest chunk is the 18-24 age group, showing that a lot of new talent is entering the industry. It’s also worth noting that a significant portion of those over 65 don’t consider themselves professional developers anymore.

Here’s a quick look at the most common job titles:

• Developer, full-stack: 49.47%
• Developer, back-end: 43.73%
• Developer, front-end: 27.42%
• Developer, desktop or enterprise applications: 16.6%
• Developer, mobile: 14.74%

When it comes to how long people have been coding professionally, the data shows a wide range. While many have years of experience, a good chunk are newer to the game. For instance, about 50% of all respondents have been coding for less than a decade, and over a third have less than five years under their belt. This suggests a constant influx of new developers joining the workforce, which is great for innovation. You can find more details on tech trends and developer insights on sites like Stack Overflow.

The majority of developers are men, with the 25-34 age bracket being the most represented.

7. Key Territories

When we look at where developers are located around the world, the United States and India stand out significantly. The US had about 18.3% of respondents, with India following closely at around 12.6%. It’s clear these two countries are major hubs for tech talent.

After that, there’s a noticeable drop, but several European countries show up in the top 10. Germany, the UK, France, and the Netherlands all have a solid presence, indicating strong developer communities in Western Europe. Canada also makes the list, showing North America’s continued importance in the tech landscape.

Here’s a quick look at the top countries:

• United States: ~18.3%
• India: ~12.6%
• Germany: ~6.7%
• United Kingdom: ~5.4%
• Canada: ~3.6%
• France: ~3.3%
• Brazil: ~2.7%
• Poland: ~2.2%
• Netherlands: ~2.1%
• Italy: ~2.0%

It’s interesting to see how the distribution spreads out beyond these top players. Countries like Brazil, Poland, and Italy are also well-represented, showing that development isn’t just concentrated in a few places. Even smaller percentages from countries like Australia, Spain, and the Russian Federation add up, showing a truly global developer pool. Understanding these geographic trends can be helpful for companies looking to hire or for developers seeking opportunities in different regions, perhaps even exploring remote work options with companies in countries like Switzerland.

While the top spots are dominated by a few countries, the data shows a wide reach of developers across the globe. This diversity is a big part of what makes the tech world so dynamic.

8. Developer Roles

When we look at the different jobs developers do, it’s clear that some roles are way more common than others. Full-stack developers are still the most popular group, making up almost half of everyone surveyed. Back-end developers are also a huge chunk, followed by front-end developers. These three roles really dominate the landscape.

It’s interesting to see how things shift year to year. For instance, the designer role has dropped a bit, trading places with system administrators. This suggests a changing focus or perhaps a growing need for infrastructure management.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common developer roles based on the survey data:

• Full-stack Developer: Consistently the largest group.
• Back-end Developer: A very strong second place.
• Front-end Developer: Still a major player in the field.
• Desktop or Enterprise Applications Developer: A significant portion of the workforce.
• Mobile Developer: Showing steady presence.

Other roles like DevOps specialists, system administrators, and database administrators also represent substantial segments of the developer community. Even specialized roles like data scientists and embedded systems developers, while smaller in number, are important parts of the tech ecosystem.

9. Experience

When we look at how long people have been coding, it’s pretty interesting. A huge chunk of folks, over half of those surveyed, started writing their first lines of code when they were between 11 and 17 years old. That’s a pretty young start for many!

Here’s a breakdown of when people first started coding:

• 11 – 17 years: 53.06%
• 18 – 24 years: 24.1%
• 5 – 10 years: 14.08%
• Younger than 5 years: 1.09%
• 25 – 34 years: 5.04%
• 35 – 44 years: 1.58%
• 45 – 54 years: 0.65%
• 55 – 64 years: 0.29%
• Older than 64 years: 0.1%

It seems like getting into coding early really sets people up. Most people learn from online resources, which makes sense given how much information is out there. It’s cool to see how different age groups pick up skills, with younger people leaning on online courses and forums, while older developers might have come up through more traditional school or book learning. This trend highlights how accessible learning new tech, like advancements in portable gaming devices, has become over the years.

10. Education

When it comes to the formal education of developers, the numbers show a strong trend towards higher learning. A significant majority, over 65%, have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree. In fact, looking at all respondents, about 70% have completed some form of higher education, with a bachelor’s degree being the most common qualification.

Here’s a breakdown of the highest level of formal education completed:

It’s interesting to note that while a traditional university path is common, it’s not the only way developers are learning. Many are picking up skills through online courses or certifications, with nearly 40% utilizing these resources. Online forums and even friends or family also play a role in how people learn to code. This mix of formal education and self-directed learning highlights the adaptable nature of the tech field. For those looking to supplement their learning, exploring resources like online coding courses can be a great option.

Wrapping Up the 2020 Trends

Looking back at the developer landscape in 2020, it’s clear things are always shifting. We saw how developers are learning in new ways, with online resources really taking off, especially for the younger crowd. Cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure are still big players, and it’s interesting to see how they’re growing. Plus, the tools and languages people are using and want to use continue to change, showing that staying current is a constant in this field. It’s a dynamic world, and these trends give us a good snapshot of where things stood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the most popular programming tools in 2020?

In 2020, Python became the third most used technology, moving past SQL. Node.js also climbed the ranks, becoming the sixth most popular.

How did developers learn coding in 2020?

Most developers learned to code using online resources like videos and blogs. Younger coders especially favored online courses and forums over traditional books or school.

Which cloud platforms were most used?

AWS remained the top cloud platform. However, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure saw significant growth in usage compared to the previous year.

What’s the difference between ‘Worked With’ and ‘Want to Work With’?

‘Worked With’ shows the technologies developers used in the past year, while ‘Want to Work With’ highlights the tools they hope to use in the upcoming year.

How many developers are new to the profession?

A large portion of developers are relatively new to the field. Over half of those surveyed have been coding for less than ten years, and more than a third have less than five years of experience.

What are the top-paying technologies?

While specific figures vary, some technologies consistently pay well. For instance, Ruby, despite a dip in overall popularity, remained one of the highest-paying languages.