Python, the world’s most popular programming language, is losing market share to more specialized languages like R and Perl. Despite still holding the top spot in the Tiobe index, Python’s popularity has declined over the past six months. The shift suggests that Python is being overtaken by niche languages that cater to specific domains.
R, a statistical computing language, was once outperformed by Python but appears to be gaining momentum, re-entering the top 10 for several consecutive months. Perl, which had declined after years of internal fragmentation, has made a comeback in the scripting realm.
These specialized languages are now attracting skilled engineers and third-party vendors worldwide. The Tiobe index, which assesses language popularity based on online activity, ratings from websites like Google and Wikipedia, and course enrollments, shows Python’s market share decreasing while R and Perl gain ground.
In recent months, Python has seen a decline in its market share, falling from 26.98% last July to 21.81% this month. This shift indicates that other languages are filling the gap left by Python’s broad appeal. As a result, Python is now facing increased competition from more specialized languages like R and Perl.
Ranks 8th this month with a 2.19% rating, while Perl ranks 11th in the index with a 1.67% rating. The Tiobe index top 10 shows a mix of established languages and new entrants, highlighting the changing landscape of programming language popularity.
In contrast, other popular languages like Java, C++, and JavaScript remain in the top 10, but their market shares are declining as well.
Source: https://www.infoworld.com/article/4129615/python-is-slipping-in-popularity-tiobe.html