2 Technology
Each year we explore the tools and technologies developers are currently using and the ones they want to use.
This year, we included new questions about embedded technology tools and industry-sourced, community-vetted technology options.
2.1Most popular technologies
Programming, scripting, and markup languages
JavaScript has been a mainstay in the developer survey and on Stack Overflow since our first survey. The most popular programming language has been JavaScript every year we have done the survey except for 2013 and 2014, when SQL was the most popular language.
Databases
PostgreSQL debuted in the developer survey in 2018 when 33% of developers reported using it, compared with the most popular option that year: MySQL, in use by 59% of developers. Six years later, PostgreSQL is used by 49% of developers and is the most popular database for the second year in a row.
Cloud platforms
AWS' share of usage amongst respondents is the same in 2024 as in 2023, while Azure and Google Cloud increased their share. Azure has climbed from 26% to 28% usage and Google Cloud went from 24% to 25%.
Web frameworks and technologies
Node.js peaked in 2020 with its highest recorded usage score of 51%. While not as popular, it's still the most used web technology in the survey this year and has increased popularity among those learning to code from last year.
Embedded Technologies
Embedded technologies is a new sub-section of the developer survey this year. 30% of developers are using Raspberry Pi, making it the first most popular embedded technology in the Developer Survey.
Other frameworks and libraries
.NET is the most used among other frameworks and libraries again this year for all developers. Those learning to code are using NumPy and Pandas the most (as they were last year).
Other tools
Docker is used the most by professional developers (59%) and npm is used the most by developers learning to code (45%).
Integrated development environment
Visual Studio Code is used by more than twice as many developers than its nearest (and related) alternative, Visual Studio.
Asynchronous tools
Jira and Confluence top the list for most used asynchronous tools developers use for the third year.
Synchronous tools
Teams is the most popular synchronous tool for professional developers (and overall) while Discord is the most popular amongst those learning to code.
Operating system
Windows is the most popular operating system for developers, across both personal and professional use.
AI Search and Developer Tools
ChatGPT is used by twice as many developers as its next closest alternative, GitHub Copilot. ChatGPT has a popular free option that developers observably like.
2.2Admired and Desired
Programming, scripting, and markup languages
JavaScript, Python and SQL are all highly-desired and admired programming languages, but Rust continues to be the most-admired programming language with an 83% score this year.
Databases
SQLite increased its desired score this year to become wanted by more developers than MySQL compared to last year, increasing from 23% to 27%.
If you're curious about SQLite,listen to our podcast interview with the creator.
Cloud platforms
Hetzner is the most-admired cloud platform for the second year in a row with a 75% admire score, rising from their 70% score last year.
Web frameworks and technologies
73% of developers that used it want to keep working with Svelte. Fun fact: Our team at Stack Overflow used Svelte for the first time in building our 2024 Developer Survey results site. We could go on and on about Svelte,listen to us do just that in a interview with one of our own.
Embedded Technologies
New to the survey this year, Cargo comes in with a very weighty 83% admire score.
Other frameworks and libraries
Ruff is a new addition to technologies listed in the survey this year, and developers love it: 84% of those that use Ruff want to continue using it.
Other tools
Docker users have elevated this tool to most-admired (78%) this year along with being most-desired for the second year in a row.
Integrated development environment
Visual Studio Code is the most-desired (and used) IDE tool (59%) for developers but the most-admired is Neovim (83%).
Asynchronous tools
Markdown wins the popularity contest with developers this year! Not only do users say they admire it more this year than last (84% vs. 82%), but Markdown also received the highest admired score of all technologies on our survey this year.
Synchronous tools
Signal users greatly admire the tool (74% admiration score) despite its being ranked eighth on the list for synchronous tools users want to use.
AI Search and Developer Tools
Most developers who use ChatGPT want to keep using it (75% Admired), while most who use Replit Ghostwrite or Tabnine are least likely to keep using it (36% Admired). If you aren't familiar with Replit,we have an interview for you to familiarize yourself.
2.3Worked with vs. want to work with
Programming, scripting, and markup languages
Those learning to code want to try more languages next year compared to their professional counterparts. On average, each user who is learning to code wants to try 12 other languages in the next year versus users who are professional devs who want to try eight.
Databases
28% of PostgreSQL users would like to use Redis next year.
Cloud platforms
22% of Microsoft Azure users and 24% of AWS users would like to use Google Cloud next year. Google Cloud users would like to use tools that are lesser known next year, such as Supabase, Vercel, and Cloudflare.
Web frameworks and technologies
The top web framework Node.js users want to use next year is React (45%), while not many React users want to use Node.js, but would like to use Next.js (34%). Meanwhile, most Next.js users indicated the only tool they want to work with next year is Next.js.
Embedded Technologies
53% of users who used Arduino this year want to use Raspberry Pi next, but no Raspberry Pi users want to use Arduino next.
Other frameworks and libraries
Developers who used Numpy or Pandas in the last year are interested in trying the most other frameworks or libraries next year: Numpy users are interested in trying 24 and Pandas users are interested in 22 next year.
Other tools
Docker users, of which there are many, are interested in trying Kubernetes, Vite, Terraform, and Ansible next year.
Integrated development environment
74% of respondents used Visual Studio Code this past year, and of those that may want to try a different IDE next year are only interested in Vim or Neovim. Vim and Neovim users are mostly interested in staying put.
Asynchronous tools
Now that's brand loyalty: Obsidian users have no desire to try any other asynchronous tools next year, and nine different groups of asynchronous tools users would like to switch to see why next year.
Synchronous tools
27% of Microsoft Teams users would like to use Slack next year, but the feeling is not mutual: less than 2% of Slack users reported wanting to use Microsoft Teams next year.
AI Search and Developer Tools
Most developers use ChatGPT of all the AI tools, and 74% want to keep using it next year. 41% of ChatGPT users want to use GitHub Copilot next year.
2.4Top paying technologies
Top paying technologies
Erlang developers take the top spot this year for highest reported median salary.
Change in salaries between 2023 and 2024
Nim, Erlang, and Apex developers all saw an increase in the median reported salary in 2024. All other developer technologies reported a decrease in median salary.