C++ in the Top Favorite Programming Languages According to Stack Overflow 2024

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C++ entered the top three most loved programming languages according to Stack Overflow 2024

The annual Stack Overflow developer survey is one of the most authoritative studies in the IT world. In 2024, more than 65,000 programmers from 185 countries took part. And the results were unexpected for many: C++ took third place in the "most loved programming languages" category, overtaking Python, JavaScript, and Go.

What changed in the ranking?

Last year, C++ was in 6th position. Experts attribute the sharp rise of three spots to several factors:

Release of C++20 and C++23 — the new standards brought modules, coroutines, concepts, and ranges, making the language more modern and convenient.
Growing popularity of high-load systems — game engines, browsers, databases, and financial systems are still written in C++.
Development of embedded systems and IoT — microcontrollers, drones, and smart devices require C++ performance.
Security tools — new security profiles (e.g., in Visual Studio and Clang) reduce the number of vulnerabilities.

Top 5 most loved languages 2024

Rust — 83% positive feedback (leader for 3 years in a row)
Zig — 79% (new entrant to the ranking)
C++ — 72% (8% increase compared to 2023)
Python — 69% (2% decrease)
Go — 68% (stable position)

Why do developers love C++?

According to the survey, the main reasons are:

Performance — C++ allows you to control memory and optimize code down to the assembly level.
Legacy and ecosystem — millions of lines of code in OpenSSL, Unreal Engine, LLVM, TensorFlow, and Linux.
Career prospects — the average salary of a C++ developer in the USA exceeds $130,000 per year.
Community — active forums, conferences (CppCon, Meeting C++) and open-source projects.

What does this mean for Python developers?

Despite the success of C++, Python remains the most used language (43% of respondents). However, the growth of C++ shows that hybrid projects (C++ + Python) are becoming the norm. For example, the NumPy, PyTorch, and TensorFlow libraries are 80% written in C++, with Python used as "glue". Knowledge of C++ opens the way to:

Optimizing critical sections of Python code.
Developing your own C extensions.
Working with high-load systems.

The full results of the Stack Overflow 2024 survey are available on the official website. And for those who want to learn C++ from scratch or deepen their knowledge, PythonLib will soon release a series of articles on modern C++20/23.