Source URL: https://developers.slashdot.org/story/24/11/04/0235235/python-overtakes-javascript-on-github-annual-survey-finds?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: Python Overtakes JavaScript on GitHub, Annual Survey Finds
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Summary: The “State of the Octoverse” report from GitHub highlights significant trends in programming languages, the rise of data science and machine learning, and global contributions to generative AI projects. Python’s ascendance in popularity, the boost in Jupyter Notebook usage, and the increasing interest in AI agents mark pivotal shifts in the developer landscape. The report also underscores the growing importance of non-English regions in software development and the impact of tools like GitHub Copilot.
Detailed Description: GitHub’s latest report presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of programming and development trends within its ecosystem. The major takeaways are as follows:
– **Programming Language Popularity**:
– Python has overtaken JavaScript as the most popular programming language on GitHub as of 2024.
– Rust is also gaining traction among systems programming languages.
– **Surge in Data Science and Machine Learning**:
– The usage of Jupyter Notebooks has seen a dramatic increase, up by 92%.
– This growth emphasizes a notable focus on data science and machine learning initiatives within the GitHub community.
– **Growth of Generative AI Contributions**:
– There is a reported 59% increase in contributions to generative AI projects, reflecting a broader industry shift.
– GitHub documents that a growing share of these contributions is coming from outside the United States, indicating a diversification of the developer pool.
– Countries such as India, Germany, Japan, and Singapore are noted for significant increases in project contributions.
– **Projected Developer Growth**:
– India is on track to become the largest developer population on GitHub by 2029, showcasing a trend of increasing developer engagement in high-population, non-English regions.
– The broader trend has seen annual growth outside the U.S. since 2013, now accelerating rapidly.
– **Noteworthy Initiatives**:
– GitHub’s “For Good First Issue” initiative connects contributors to digital public goods, promoting social and sustainable development.
– A significant 34% of contributors to these projects started after using GitHub Copilot.
– **Overall Growth in Projects**:
– GitHub currently hosts 518 million projects, marking a year-over-year growth of 25%.
These insights highlight critical shifts in the programming and development landscape, with profound implications for security and privacy professionals. The increasing prevalence of machine learning and AI tools necessitates a reevaluation of security protocols, compliance measures, and collaborative practices within diverse global developer communities. As developers move toward more natural language interactions with code, ensuring secure engagements and protecting sensitive data in this evolving environment will be paramount.