Ten Programming Languages for Web Development in 2024

The Best Web Development Languages

This is a list of the most reliable web development choices regarding their importance and popularity compared to other programming languages:

1. JavaScript/TypeScript

JavaScript is the number one most popular language in this domain. It’s also the only language used for front-end development, back-end development, and mobile app development.

TypeScript is a modern, strongly typed language for developing large applications. It’s a superset of JavaScript and compiles plain JavaScript to be used in browser development with Node.js or by itself.

TypeScript quickly gains traction because of its powerful features, such as implementing static types that describe your code and enabling IDEs with code completion.

Popular web frameworks for front-end development:

• Angular
• Vue.js
• React

Angular, VueJS, and React are some of the popular JS-based frameworks for front-end web development. Angular is an open-source, client-side web application framework that Google mainly maintains. Vue is an alternative to Angular that aims for simplicity. Finally, React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. Vue.js and React are known for their support of functional programming, while Angular is much more object-oriented.

Node.js, a powerful JS-based web platform, is one of the most popular technologies that allow you to run JavaScript on the backend. It has a massive community and a wide range of libraries and frameworks that simplify development tasks for everyone.

Popular Node.js web frameworks for back-end API development:

• Express
• LoopBack
• Restify

Mobile app development is also possible with React Native or NativeScript. Both are based on JavaScript and allow you to use the same language in your mobile app that you would typically use for web development.

It’s no wonder that JavaScript is one of the best web development languages. Most web developers already know how to code with JavaScript, and many already know at least one framework like Angular or React.

2. HTML/CSS

HTML (or HyperText Markup Language) is probably the oldest programming language for web development, next to CSS. HTML has been in existence since the beginning of web development. Although most of its syntax has changed since its first release, it has never fallen out of fashion. HTML and CSS are only used for front-end development, but they’re must-know programming languages for any web developer.

Although you can create great web applications with JavaScript and various frameworks, you should also know how to use plain HTML for creating layouts and prototyping. It’s still an essential part of modern web development because any framework is useless without a strong HTML foundation.

CSS is another strong programming language for web development. While it isn’t a full-fledged programming language like JavaScript, it still requires knowledge of different syntaxes and concepts like variables and loops.

It is a language that you can use to style your web pages and applications in a way that best fits their purpose. If you want to make your web applications look professional and feel like native apps, CSS Flexbox is something you should familiarize yourself with. CSS3 allows you to add animations and gradients quickly and efficiently.

Web developers who know how to use HTML and CSS well will always be in demand, making these programming languages one of the top choices for web development in 2023.

3. Python

In terms of popularity, Python is often considered a close second to JavaScript in the domain of developing a web page. It has a much smaller community than JavaScript, but it’s still one of the best programming languages for creating web pages. On the general level, Python is always the first face of the most popular coding languages.

Python is a highly versatile language used for Web Apps, Machine Learning, DevOps, and more advanced application types like video games.

Python is excellent as a first language for beginners to start a programming career since it’s one of the easiest back-end languages to learn. Its syntax is short and straightforward, which makes it easy to read. It also has advanced features typically found only in statically typed languages, such as type hinting and destructors.

Popular web frameworks for back-end API development:

• Django
• Flask
• Web2py

There are a lot of frameworks you can use with Python, depending on your preferences. For example, Django is quite popular among beginners since it’s relatively simple to learn, and there are many tutorials online to get started.

Another framework worth mentioning is Flask, which is somewhat similar to Django but not as popular. However, it’s still great for building simple web apps with Python.

Web2py is a web framework that allows developers to build large web applications with minimal effort. In addition, it’s scalable and efficient, which makes it an excellent choice for both small and large projects.

Python is excellent for web development because it’s simple to learn and powerful at the same time. It’s also a perfect language for data science and machine learning, which makes it even more valuable in the future.

4. C#

It’s no surprise that C# is one of the most popular programming languages for web development.

Microsoft’s .NET Core is the most popular platform for C# since it provides a standard library and an optimized runtime environment. Popular languages like F# and VB.NET are also part of the .NET framework. These languages can be used instead of C#, depending on your preferences.

Microsoft is one of the major IT companies, so its framework, C#, will always be in demand. It’s a general-purpose language used for desktop and server applications, video games, and web development.

The most popular framework for web development with C# is ASP.NET Core, an open-source web framework. It’s an excellent alternative to Java-based frameworks and can help you build dynamic web applications.

C# is a good programming language for mobile app development. The Xamarin framework allows C# to be used for Android and iOS development.

Both C# and .NET are thriving in popularity. This is partly due to Visual Studio Code, Microsoft’s free, open-source code editor. It can be used on Windows, Linux, and OS X. Using VS Code makes it easier for developers to write C# code since it has excellent support for the language and other popular technologies.

C# will always be in demand because it’s the preferred language for Microsoft developers. I recommend looking at C# if you’re serious about pursuing web development as a career because it’s the language of many frameworks and successful projects. It also has a wide range of job opportunities, so that learning C# will open more doors for you than other web development languages.

5. Ruby

Ruby is another popular programming language that’s also easy to learn. It was inspired by Perl and Python, which means it has a familiar syntax for people learning web development.

Popular web frameworks for back-end API development:

• Ruby on Rails
• Sinatra

One of the most commonly used Ruby frameworks is Rails, which is excellent for beginners because it has many built-in web development features.

The Rails framework has been around for more than a decade, and it’s still one of the most popular frameworks.

Another framework for Ruby is Sinatra, which provides a DSL (Domain Specific Language) to make it easier for developers to build web applications. It’s also considered a microframework because it does not include all features found in larger frameworks like Ruby on Rails.

Ruby on Rails is used to create both small and large applications for startups and established companies. It’s pretty popular among entrepreneurs, which adds even more value to this programming language in 2023.

In addition to web development, Ruby is also an excellent choice for mobile app development. The RubyMotion framework allows developers to create native iOS and Android apps with their Ruby skills.

6. PHP

PHP is another popular programming language that’s used for web development. It’s more widespread than Python or Ruby, which is a good choice for beginners. In the past, PHP was used in almost every open-source web application. However, the programming language is not as popular as it once was.

Despite some of its drawbacks, PHP is still a viable option for back-end web development. It’s the language of many popular content management systems (CMS) like WordPress and Joomla!.

Popular web frameworks for back-end API development:

• Laravel
• Symfony
• Yii2 Framework

The Laravel framework is excellent for beginners because of its built-in features. Most of your time will be spent writing code, so you won’t need to rely on external libraries and plugins. In addition, it’s an open-source framework and has a vibrant community, which helps it stay up-to-date with the latest technologies.

Symfony is also an open-source framework that can be used for web development and mobile app development. It’s an excellent choice if you want to create large applications with multiple users. Symfony has been around for over 15 years and maintains a strong community of developers, making it one of the more popular frameworks of 2017 and 2018.

Yii2 is another open-source framework that’s built on the success of Yii, which was one of the most popular frameworks in 2011. It can be used for small websites to extensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

One of the best parts of learning PHP is plenty of job opportunities, particularly for web developers who can build dynamic websites quickly and easily.

7. Java

Java is another popular programming language, primarily because it’s used by big companies like IBM, Oracle, and Google. However, it’s not limited to web development – you can also use Java for Android app development, data science, game development, and 3D printing, among other things.

It’s an object-oriented language like C#, so it’s pretty popular among developers already familiar with C# because they can easily transition between the two.

Popular web frameworks for back-end API development:

• Spring
• Play
• Web Logic

Spring is an excellent Java framework for building enterprise web applications. Many organizations use it to create secure, scalable, and reliable frameworks that meet their needs.

Play Framework is an open-source web framework for building REST APIs and web applications. It offers high productivity and full-stack flexibility, and it’s easy to learn, so you can quickly get started with Java web development.

Web Logic is an enterprise Java web application framework used by organizations that require a scalable and high-performance solution. It offers web development support for all types of businesses.

Java is one of the more advanced web development languages on this list, but that’s not necessarily bad. However, it requires more time to learn, which is why I recommend it for developers who are serious about pursuing web development as their career.

8. GoLang

GoLang, or simply Go, has become very popular due to its ease of use and high performance. GoLang is not a fully object-oriented programming language like the others on this list because there is no type hierarchy in this language. However, it does have types and still supports an object-oriented style of programming.

GoLang is a compiled language, so it can have fast speed and low memory usage. Therefore, if you are working on a system with high traffic, GoLang could be an excellent option.

GoLang has a vast collection of libraries that make it easy to develop web applications from scratch. In addition, some open-source frameworks can be used for web development, which is great if you’re creating a new application that needs to be quick and effective.

Popular frameworks for API development:

• Gin
• Echo
• Go-JSON-Rest

Gin is a framework written in GoLang that is used for writing APIs and web servers. It’s straightforward to learn, making it an excellent choice for developers who are just getting started with GOLang web development.

Echo is one of the more popular frameworks that’s built on top of GOLang. It’s often used by developers looking for a simple, low-level web framework that’s easy to learn.

Go-JSON-Rest is an open-source framework written in GoLang. It makes it easy to create custom APIs that integrate with databases, web services, and other types of back-end applications. It’s also very lightweight and straightforward to learn so that you can get up and running quickly.

GoLang is an excellent choice for developers who enjoy simplicity in their programming languages. It has a low learning curve, and it’s easy to understand, making it an ideal option for quickly building web applications.

9. Kotlin

Kotlin is a high-level programming language that’s gaining popularity for its compatibility with Java. It can be used for web development, Android app development, server-side scripting, and more.

Kotlin is a statically typed language and operates on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It is easier to integrate with existing Java projects. It also has advanced features like null-safety, which helps developers avoid common runtime errors.

Popular web frameworks for back-end API development:

• Spring Boot
• Ktor
• Vert.x

Spring Boot is a common framework for creating REST APIs and microservices in Kotlin. It’s very easy to set up, and it comes with many features that help developers create robust and scalable applications quickly.

Ktor is an open-source framework for building asynchronous web services and APIs in Kotlin. It is lightweight and easy to use; that’s why it is a good choice for developers who want to build high-performance applications.

Vert.x is an event-driven framework that supports both Java and Kotlin languages. It’s used for building reactive web applications and microservices that require scaling and high performance.

10. Rust

Rust is a systems programming language that’s becoming increasingly popular for back-end web development. It offers low-level control over system resources and memory, thus making it suitable for applications that require high performance.

Rust has gained traction among developers who are looking for an alternative to C/C++. It provides features like thread safety, error handling, and zero-cost abstractions while maintaining high performance.

Popular web frameworks for back-end API development:

• Rocket
• Actix-web
• Warp

Rocket is a web framework designed for building fast and secure server-side applications in Rust. It comes with built-in security features, namely SQL injection prevention, cross-site scripting protection, and more.

Actix-web is another popular choice for building high-performance web applications in Rust. This framework offers various features like middleware, routing, and support for asynchronous programming.

Warp is a lightweight framework that’s known for its simplicity and flexibility. It provides a minimalistic interface that allows developers to build web APIs quickly without sacrificing performance or security.

Overall, Rust is an excellent choice for developers who are looking to build high-performance web applications with low-level control. It’s also a great language for those who want to explore system programming and learn how to manage system resources efficiently. Therefore, if you are interested in creating fast and secure web applications, Rust is definitely worth considering.