According to Tiobe CEO Paul Jansen, Ada, a system programming language developed in the late 1970s, appears to be outlasting other similarly aged languages such as Visual Basic, Perl, and Fortran. This observation is based on the latest Tiobe language popularity index, which was posted on July 9. Jansen notes that while Python, C#, and Java remain in the top rankings, there is more variability among older languages, with Ada making a significant leap to #9. Jansen attributes this movement to the increasing importance of security in system programming. Despite the popularity of newer languages like Rust and Kotlin, Ada has managed to rise in the rankings. Jansen expresses cautious optimism about Ada’s potential to remain a dominant force in the programming world.
This movement in the language rankings highlights the dynamic nature of the programming landscape. While established languages like Python and Java have maintained their positions, the competition among older languages, such as Ada and Fortran, shows a more volatile trend. Jansen’s comments suggest that the demand for secure and reliable systems is driving interest in languages like Ada, even as newer platforms continue to gain traction in the industry. The recent shift in Ada’s rankings underscores its resilience and relevance in the field of system programming.