Tracking the most popular programming languages, databases and software development tools in whoishiring discussion threads.
For most months, this post examines technologies across the sprectrum of software development, from languages to frameworks to products. And, that data is all still here for you to examine as well. But, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the state of Programming Languages specifically as their trends can often be obscured in the overall analysis.
React reached new heights in June with a mention in over 28% of postings, easily taking the top spot for the thirteenth month in a row. The highest ever for a technology was 32% for JavaScript nearly four years ago. Can React challenge it? With React's adoption on the web and for mobile app developments with React Native, it presents an attractive platform for many developers to explore. But, front-end technologies have a history of being replaced for the hot new thing, so how long can React stay on top?
In another sign of JavaScript's ubiquity, Node.js became the second JavaScript related technology to surpass mentions of JavaScript itself. Node.js took the #4 spot in May, its first time in the top 5, and just ahead of JavaScript. React was the first to do so, and React also continued its streak of wins, taking the top spot for the 12th month in a row, sustaining its rank for a complete year.
The Go Programming Language (golang) made its first appearance in the Top 10 and is now the third most popular programming language in the rankings. Go jumped over both Java and Ruby this month. First released in 2012, Go has climbed steadily as its popularity grows, and was mentioned in over 10% of postings in April.
React cruised to its tenth win in a row in March, continuing to show its dominance in the tech hiring marketplace. Python maintained its normal spot at #2 as well. React and Python both maintained more than a 20% share of postings, opening up a large gap between these 2 and the rest of the field. Also interesting is to see the movement after those two, as JavaScript fell back significantly from third to fourth and nearly further.
As React wins its ninth month in a row, it appears that we're settling in for a bit of stability at the top of the rankings. The one trend of note in the top 10 is Postgresql entering the top 5, but it has been there before, so it's not a strong threat to keep climbing higher.
React continues its win streak into the new year with a strong showing again. With 8 wins in a row and another near 25% rate of mention, what will it take for another technology to catch React?
React reached the #1 spot in the rankings back in June, overtaking Python, and has not let go since. December marks React's seventh win in a row. More than just win though, React had its largest margin of victory and came close to being mentioned in 25% of the postings.
It appears that Blockchain growth has now extended into hiring demand for software developers with Blockchain skills. After noticing Upwork's Q3 Report (via @thenewstack) highlighted Blockchain as its 2nd fastest growing skill, I explored what the trends looked like in the Hacker News data and found the results were significant enough to add Blockchain, Bitcoin and Ethereum to the HN trends, beginning with this analysis of November's "Ask HN: Who is Hiring" thread.
Postings in October's "Ask HN: Who is Hiring" thread were up over 12% from September as fall hiring kicked into high gear. In fact, this was the 2nd highest posting month of all time, behind only this past Februrary. In previous years, November usually surpasses October, so it will be worth watching next week to see if hiring can remain hot.
These charts show what's popular and trending in programming languages, frameworks and technologies used to develop modern software applications as indicated by Hacker News activity. Using the HN Search API and a dictionary of software terms, all of the the comments (job postings) in the "whoishiring" submissions from April 2011 to the latest month were processed to count the number of times each software term was mentioned.
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