As we reach mid-December, it's time to reflect on the year that is ending. The Java and Python development world has seen many changes throughout 2024, and here are the highlights. Enjoy!
Java Updates: Versions 22 and 23
In the past year, there were the usual two Java updates: versions 22 and 23. Java 22, released in March 2024, did not receive long-term support. This release included around 2300 closed tasks and 12 JEPs.
Java 22 brought several important updates aimed at enhancing flexibility, simplifying code, and expanding functionality for developers. Key features include:
Unnamed Variables and Patterns: this allows developers to skip unused elements in loops or conditions, improving code readability and efficiency.
String Templates (Second Preview):simplifies mixing text with expressions, especially useful for creating SQL, XML, or JSON.
Stream Gatherers (Preview):a new API for advanced stream operations, enabling specialized intermediate transformations like grouping elements by specific criteria.
Java 23, released in September 2024, included around 2400 closed tasks and 12 JEPs. This version focused on boosting developer productivity, improving code performance, and simplifying workflows. Notable updates are:
Enhanced Primitive Type Patterns: improves working with primitive types in switch and instanceof expressions.
Markdown Documentation Comments: documentation can now start with /// to use Markdown.
Module Import Declarations (Preview): allows importing entire modules at once, reducing verbosity in code.
Python Updates: Version 3.13
The highly anticipated Python 3.13.0 was released in fall 2024, featuring numerous new functions and optimizations compared to Python 3.12. Highlights include:
Improved REPL: enhances the interactive environment for working with multi-line code, making development easier.
Enhanced Error Messages: Python now suggests corrections for spelling mistakes in function arguments, simplifying debugging, especially for beginners.
Experimental JIT Compilation: compiles Python code to machine code "on the fly" during program execution, significantly speeding up performance.
Java and Python in Rankings: Still in the Top Five
Java maintains a stable position in the top five programming languages. According to the TIOBE index, Java is currently ranked 3rd, up one spot from December last year. This impressive stability is notable for a language that is now 29 years old.
According to the TIOBE index, Python continues to hold the top position and is expected to be named the language of the year, says Paul Jansen, the company's CEO.
In the PYPL index, Python and Java similarly occupy the 1st and 2nd spots, respectively.
Python remains one of the most loved and desired languages according to the latest Stack Overflow survey. It's used for a variety of tasks, including data science, machine learning, web development, and automation, making it a versatile choice among developers.
Technologies and Tools Used by Java Developers
Java 8 and Java 11 remain quite popular, with 24% and 18% of surveyed developers still using them, according to a major JRebel study. Meanwhile, 23% of developers have adopted the more modern Java 17.
When it comes to frameworks and tools, Java developers favor dominant technologies like Tomcat, Spring Boot, and Jenkins.
Tomcat: 36% of respondents use Tomcat as the application server for their main application.
JBoss/Wildfly: 15% of developers prefer JBoss/Wildfly.
WebLogic: 12% use WebLogic.
Various factors influence these preferences.
Similarly, the results for microservices frameworks show that 67% of developers use Spring Boot over alternatives like DropWizard (11%), Quarkus (8%), Micronaut (5%), and Vert.x (1%).
In CI/CD technologies, Jenkins remains the most popular, used by 37% of developers. TeamCity usage has doubled compared to 2023, now at 10%. Other technologies have maintained their utilization levels: GitHub Actions (17%), Travis CI (9%), Circle CI (8%), and Bamboo (7%).
State of the Python Ecosystem: Frameworks and Popular Releases
Regarding Python versions, over 70% of Python developers use one of the last three releases, specifically 3.10, 3.11, and 3.12, according to a recent study by Talk Python and the Python Software Foundation.
*There is no fresh data on the usage of the latest Python version yet, as it was only released in October 2024.There are three frameworks whose usage significantly surpasses others: Flask, Django, and FastAPI. They are nearly equal in popularity.
However, a deeper look reveals that while they are similarly popular, they are used differently across various disciplines. For instance, 63% of web developers use Django compared to 42% who use Flask. On the other hand, data analysts prefer Flask and FastAPI over Django (36% and 31% vs. 26%).
And that's a wrap on the year for Java and Python. What was the most significant event for the Java community in 2024?
According to the TIOBE index, Python continues to hold the top position and is expected to be named the language of the year, says Paul Jansen, the company's CEO.
In the PYPL index, Python and Java similarly occupy the 1st and 2nd spots, respectively.
Python remains one of the most loved and desired languages according to the latest Stack Overflow survey. It's used for a variety of tasks, including data science, machine learning, web development, and automation, making it a versatile choice among developers.
When it comes to frameworks and tools, Java developers favor dominant technologies like Tomcat, Spring Boot, and Jenkins.
Similarly, the results for microservices frameworks show that 67% of developers use Spring Boot over alternatives like DropWizard (11%), Quarkus (8%), Micronaut (5%), and Vert.x (1%).
In CI/CD technologies, Jenkins remains the most popular, used by 37% of developers. TeamCity usage has doubled compared to 2023, now at 10%. Other technologies have maintained their utilization levels: GitHub Actions (17%), Travis CI (9%), Circle CI (8%), and Bamboo (7%).
There are three frameworks whose usage significantly surpasses others: Flask, Django, and FastAPI. They are nearly equal in popularity.
However, a deeper look reveals that while they are similarly popular, they are used differently across various disciplines. For instance, 63% of web developers use Django compared to 42% who use Flask. On the other hand, data analysts prefer Flask and FastAPI over Django (36% and 31% vs. 26%).
And that's a wrap on the year for Java and Python. What was the most significant event for the Java community in 2024?
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