The March TIOBE Index has revealed an interesting trend: legacy programming languages are growing in popularity among developers. Delphi/Object Pascal is clinging onto a top 10 spot, while COBOL and new entry Ada appear further down the list.
However, Python remains firmly in the number one position, accounting for 23.85% of search engine queries, job postings, and educational references — an 8.22% from March 2024. In January, TIOBE Software CEO Paul Jansen referred to it as the “default language.” It’s simply so popular among non-software engineers working to get into programming.
Top 10 programming languages in March 2025
According to the TIOBE Programming Community index, the following are the top 10 programming languages in March 2025:
- Python: A general-purpose programming language commonly used for back-end development and data science. A good programming language for beginners.
- C++: Very similar to C, with the addition of classes and objects. C++ is well-suited for game and system development. It may be relatively difficult to learn.
- Java: An exceptionally good language for AI, app, and web development. Java requires relatively advanced skills to learn.
- C: A programming language often used in app and system development. Its syntax is similar to other popular languages, making it a useful branching-off point for beginner developers.
- C#: Used in app, game, and web development, C# is an object- and component-oriented programming language similar to the C and Java language families.
- JavaScript: A scripting language often used for app, game, and web development as well as web servers. JavaScript is simpler and more flexible than Java, which makes it inappropriate for some programming tasks but often easier to learn.
- Go: Go is a relatively easy-to-learn language that is good for back-end development and working with APIs and web services.
- SQL: A programming language intended to be used to store and process information in databases.
- Visual Basic: A programming language with a drag-and-drop user interface good for front-end and full-stack development.
- Delphi/Object Pascal: Object Pascal is an object-oriented programming language spun out of the Pascal language by Apple developers and often used with the Delphi compiler.
Notable movements in the top 10 list in March
Go and Visual Basic both climbed one position, reaching seventh and ninth respectively, indicating a return to their rankings from January. SQL dropped to eighth place, while Delphi/Object Pascal is barely holding on to a top ten spot after only entering it at the start of the year. Further down the board, Ada experienced similar growth in popularity, rising from 24th place to 18th place year-over-year.
The following were the top 10 programming languages in February 2025:
- Python
- C++
- Java
- C
- C#
- JavaScript
- SQL
- Go
- Delphi/Object Pascal
- Visual Basic
Top 10 programming languages in January 2025
The top 10 programming languages in January 2025, according to the TIOBE Programming Community index, are:
- Python
- C++
- Java
- C
- C#
- JavaScript
- Go
- SQL
- Visual Basic
- Fortran
Top 10 programming languages in December 2024
The top 10 programming languages in December 2024, according to the TIOBE Programming Community index, are:
- Python
- C++
- Java
- C
- C#
- JavaScript
- Go
- SQL
- Visual Basic
- Fortran
Top 10 programming languages in November 2024
The top 10 programming languages in November 2024, according to the TIOBE Programming Community index, are:
- Python
- C++
- Java
- C
- C#
- JavaScript
- Go
- Fortran
- Visual Basic
- SQL
Top 10 programming languages in October 2024
The top 10 programming languages in October 2024, according to the TIOBE Programming Community index, are:
- Python
- C++
- Java
- C
- C#
- JavaScript
- VisualBasic
- Go
- Fortran
- Delphi/Object Pascal
What is the TIOBE Index?
The TIOBE Index is an indicator of which programming languages are most popular within a given month. Its proprietor, TIOBE Software CEO Paul Jansen, notes the index is not a prize for the “best” language or a list of in which programming language the most code has been written; instead, he uses popular search engines to determine which languages are most used among professional programmers, programming courses and third-party vendors.
