👋 Welcome to Tami’s newsletter, where we explore the latest trends in AI and technology every Tuesday.
In this week’s newsletter, we’ll discuss the most popular technologies being used in 2025 according to Stack Overflow, including:
Programming languages
Databases
Cloud development
Web frameworks and technologies
Dev IDEs
Community platforms
LLMs
Collaboration tools
Ready to upskill your development team in this year's top technologies? Tami's expert-led training helps your developers quickly master Python, cloud development, React, and more.
Executive Summary
Key findings from Stack Overflow's 2025 Developer Survey:
Survey methodology: 49,000+ professional developers surveyed globally
Geographic distribution: Global sample across 180+ countries
Key trend: Python adoption increased 7% year-over-year (largest single-year jump since 2013)
Emerging technology: AI-powered development tools reached mainstream adoption
Market signal: 81% of developers now use ChatGPT for coding assistance
Most Popular Programming Languages in 2025
The top ten programming languages being used with percentage of respondents and their primary use case:
Rank | Language | 2025 Usage | Primary Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | JavaScript | 66.0% | Web development, full-stack |
2 | HTML/CSS | 61.9% | Frontend, web markup |
3 | SQL | 58.6% | Database queries, analytics |
4 | Python | 57.9% | AI, data science, backend |
5 | Bash/Shell | 48.7% | System administration, DevOps |
6 | TypeScript | 43.6% | Enterprise web development |
7 | Java | 29.4% | Enterprise, Android development |
8 | C# | 27.8% | .NET development, gaming |
9 | C++ | 23.5% | System programming, gaming |
10 | PowerShell | 23.2% | Windows administration |
Key Insights: Programming Language Trends
Python's historic growth: The 7 percentage point increase represents Python's largest single-year adoption jump in over a decade. This surge correlates directly with:
AI/ML job postings increasing 156% year-over-year (LinkedIn, 2025)
Python machine learning libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch) reaching 50M+ monthly downloads
Corporate AI initiatives requiring Python expertise
Why you should learn Python in 2025:
Average Python developer salary: $128,000 USD (15% above industry average)
Job market demand: 47% of AI/ML positions require Python skills
Learning curve: Beginner-friendly syntax with professional-grade capabilities
Career paths: Data scientist, AI engineer, backend developer, automation specialist
JavaScript maintains top spot: Despite Python's growth, JavaScript remains the most-used language due to its foundational role in modern web development alongside HTML and CSS. This enduring relevance is further supported by:
Universal web browser support
Full-stack development capabilities (Node.js)
Extensive ecosystem (2.1M+ npm packages)
Database Technologies: PostgreSQL's Continued Dominance
The most popular databases in 2025 with usage percentage, strengths and best use case:
Rank | Database | Usage % | Primary Strengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | PostgreSQL | 55.6% | ACID compliance, JSON support, extensibility | Complex applications, analytics |
2 | MySQL | 40.5% | Performance, ease of use, widespread support | Web applications, content management |
3 | SQLite | 37.5% | Lightweight, serverless, embedded | Mobile apps, small-scale applications |
4 | Microsoft SQL Server | 30.1% | Enterprise features, Windows integration | Corporate applications, .NET stack |
5 | Redis | 28.0% | In-memory performance, caching | Session storage, real-time applications |
6 | MongoDB | 24.0% | Document-oriented, flexible schema | Content management, rapid prototyping |
7 | MariaDB | 22.5% | MySQL compatibility, open source | MySQL migration, web development |
8 | Elasticsearch | 16.7% | Full-text search, analytics | Search engines, log analysis |
9 | Oracle | 10.6% | Enterprise-grade, performance | Large-scale enterprise systems |
10 | DynamoDB | 9.8% | AWS integration, NoSQL scalability | Cloud-native applications |
Database Learning Priorities 2025
PostgreSQL benefits:
Market demand: 73% increase in PostgreSQL job postings (Indeed, 2025)
Salary premium: PostgreSQL developers earn 12% more than MySQL developers
Enterprise adoption: Used by Apple, Instagram, Spotify, Netflix
SQL skills remain universal:
Required by 89% of data-related job postings
Foundation for business intelligence and analytics roles
Average learning time: 4-6 weeks for proficiency
Cloud Platforms & Tools: The Containerization Revolution
Most popular cloud platforms and development tools in 2025:
Rank | Tool/Platform | Usage % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Docker | 71.1% | Containerization |
2 | NPM | 56.8% | Package Management |
3 | AWS | 43.3% | Cloud Infrastructure |
4 | Pip | 40.9% | Python Package Management |
5 | Kubernetes | 28.5% | Container Orchestration |
6 | Microsoft Azure | 26.3% | Cloud Infrastructure |
7 | Homebrew | 25.7% | macOS Package Management |
8 | Vite | 25.4% | Frontend Build Tool |
9 | Google Cloud | 24.6% | Cloud Infrastructure |
10 | Make | 23.2% | Build Automation |
Docker: The Universal Developer Tool
Why Docker reached 71% adoption:
Development consistency: "Works on my machine" problem solved
Deployment simplification: Same container runs anywhere
Microservices enablement: Essential for modern architecture
CI/CD integration: Streamlines deployment pipelines
Docker suggested learning path for 2025:
Docker Fundamentals (Week 1-2): Containers, images, basic commands
Docker Compose (Week 3): Multi-container applications
Docker in Production (Week 4): Security, optimization, orchestration
Docker Certification (Week 5+): Professional validation
AWS training remains essential:
Market share: 31% of cloud infrastructure market
Job opportunities: 67% of cloud computing jobs mention AWS
Certification ROI: Average salary increase of $25,000 post-AWS certification
Learning time: 3-6 months for AWS Solutions Architect Associate
Web Development Frameworks: React Ecosystem Dominance
Most popular web frameworks in 2025 with their usage percentage, what it’s used for, and learning difficulty:
Rank | Framework | Usage % | Category | Learning Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Node.js | 48.7% | Backend Runtime | Medium |
2 | React | 44.7% | Frontend Framework | Medium |
3 | jQuery | 23.4% | JavaScript Library | Easy |
4 | Next.js | 20.8% | React Framework | Hard |
5 | Express | 19.9% | Node.js Framework | Medium |
6 | ASP.NET Core | 19.7% | Microsoft Framework | Hard |
7 | Angular | 18.2% | Frontend Framework | Hard |
8 | Vue.js | 17.6% | Frontend Framework | Medium |
9 | FastAPI | 14.8% | Python Framework | Medium |
10 | Spring Boot | 14.7% | Java Framework | Hard |
React Training: Still the Top Choice
Why React leads frontend development:
Job market: 78% of frontend job postings mention React
Ecosystem maturity: Extensive third-party library support
Corporate adoption: Used by Facebook, Netflix, Airbnb, Uber
Learning resources: Most comprehensive tutorial ecosystem
React learning roadmap in 2025:
JavaScript Fundamentals (Prerequisites): ES6+, async/await, modules
React Basics (Month 1): Components, JSX, props, state
React Ecosystem (Month 2): React Router, state management, hooks
Advanced React (Month 3): Performance optimization, testing, deployment
React Frameworks (Month 4+): Next.js, Gatsby for production applications
JavaScript full-stack advantage: JavaScript's versatility extends to its basic data types, which include numbers, strings, booleans, null, and undefined. This single language proficiency enables developers to work on both frontend and backend development, offering:
Single language proficiency: Frontend and backend development
Faster development cycles: Shared code and concepts
Career flexibility: Multiple specialization paths
Development Tools: AI-Powered IDEs Enter Mainstream
Most popular developer IDEs in 2025 includes new AI tool Cursor:
Rank | IDE/Editor | Usage % | Category | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Visual Studio Code | 75.9% | Free Editor | Extensions, Git integration |
2 | Visual Studio | 29.0% | Full IDE | Windows/.NET development |
3 | Notepad++ | 27.4% | Text Editor | Windows, lightweight |
4 | IntelliJ IDEA | 27.1% | Java IDE | Intelligent code assistance |
5 | Vim | 24.3% | Terminal Editor | Keyboard-driven, customizable |
6 | Cursor | 17.9% | AI-Powered IDE | GPT integration, code generation |
7 | PyCharm | 15.0% | Python IDE | Django, scientific tools |
8 | Android Studio | 15.0% | Mobile IDE | Android development |
9 | Jupyter Notebook | 14.1% | Data Science | Interactive computing |
10 | Neovim | 14.0% | Terminal Editor | Modern Vim alternative |
The AI Development Revolution
Cursor's rapid rise: Achieving 17.9% adoption in its first full year represents the fastest IDE adoption in software development history.
AI-powered development features:
Code completion: Context-aware suggestions beyond simple autocomplete
Code generation: Natural language to code translation
Bug detection: AI identifies potential issues before runtime
Documentation: Automated comment and documentation generation
VS Code maintains leadership:
Extension ecosystem: 45,000+ extensions available
Cross-platform support: Windows, macOS, Linux compatibility
Microsoft backing: Regular updates, long-term support
Learning curve: Minimal setup required for beginners
Community Platforms: Developer Knowledge Sharing
Where developers are connecting and learning from each other in 2025:
Rank | Platform | Usage % | Primary Purpose | Content Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Stack Overflow | 84.2% | Q&A, Problem Solving | Text-based help |
2 | GitHub | 66.9% | Code Sharing, Collaboration | Code repositories |
3 | YouTube | 60.5% | Video Tutorials | Educational videos |
4 | 53.7% | Community Discussion | Forums, AMAs | |
5 | Stack Exchange | 46.5% | Specialized Q&A | Topic-specific help |
6 | Discord | 38.9% | Real-time Chat | Community servers |
7 | 37.2% | Professional Networking | Career content | |
8 | Medium | 29.3% | Technical Writing | Long-form articles |
9 | Hacker News | 19.6% | Tech News, Discussion | News aggregation |
10 | X (Twitter) | 17.1% | Quick Updates | Microblogging |
Learning Platform Insights
YouTube's educational impact:
60.5% usage demonstrates video's importance for technical learning
Popular channels: freeCodeCamp (6M+ subscribers), Traversy Media (2M+)
Community-driven learning:
Stack Overflow: Average response time: 23 minutes for programming questions
GitHub: 100M+ developers share code and contribute to open source
AI & Large Language Models: The ChatGPT Effect
Most commonly used AI platforms being used in 2025:
Rank | AI Model/Tool | Usage % | Primary Use Case | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | OpenAI GPT (ChatGPT) | 81.4% | Code assistance, debugging | OpenAI |
2 | Claude Sonnet | 42.8% | Code review, documentation | Anthropic |
3 | Gemini Flash | 35.3% | Quick code snippets | |
4 | OpenAI Reasoning | 34.6% | Complex problem solving | OpenAI |
5 | OpenAI Image | 26.6% | UI mockups, diagrams | OpenAI |
6 | Gemini Reasoning | 25.6% | Algorithm design | |
7 | DeepSeek Reasoning | 23.3% | Code optimization | DeepSeek |
8 | Meta Llama | 17.8% | Open-source development | Meta |
9 | DeepSeek General | 14.3% | General programming | DeepSeek |
10 | X Grok | 11.1% | Code explanation | xAI |
AI Integration in Development Workflows
ChatGPT's dominance: 81.4% usage represents the fastest enterprise technology adoption ever recorded.
Developer AI use cases:
Code Generation (89% of AI users): Writing boilerplate, functions, classes
Debugging Assistance (76%): Error explanation and solution suggestions
Code Review (64%): Identifying bugs, security issues, improvements
Documentation (58%): Generating comments, README files, API docs
Learning (45%): Explaining new concepts, frameworks, languages
Productivity impact:
Time savings: Average 23% reduction in development time
Code quality: 15% fewer bugs in AI-assisted code (GitHub study, 2025)
Learning acceleration: 40% faster onboarding for new technologies
AI skills for developers in 2025:
Prompt engineering: Crafting effective AI queries
AI code review: Understanding AI-generated code limitations
Human-AI collaboration: Balancing AI assistance with critical thinking
Collaboration Tools: GitHub's Expanding Ecosystem
Most popular development collaboration platforms in 2025:
Rank | Tool | Usage % | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GitHub | 81.1% | Version Control, Collaboration | Open source, team projects |
2 | Jira | 46.4% | Project Management | Agile development, issue tracking |
3 | GitLab | 35.6% | DevOps Platform | CI/CD, enterprise security |
4 | Markdown File | 34.8% | Documentation | Technical writing, README files |
5 | Confluence | 32.8% | Knowledge Management | Team documentation, wikis |
6 | Azure DevOps | 16.6% | Microsoft Ecosystem | .NET development, enterprise |
7 | Notion | 16.5% | All-in-one Workspace | Team organization, notes |
8 | Obsidian | 16.1% | Knowledge Management | Personal knowledge graphs |
9 | Google Workspace | 15.2% | Office Suite | Document collaboration |
10 | Miro | 14.3% | Visual Collaboration | Brainstorming, diagrams |
Version Control & Collaboration Skills
Git/GitHub proficiency: Now required by 94% of developer job postings
Learning priority: Essential for all developers, regardless of specialization
Advanced features: GitHub Actions (CI/CD), GitHub Copilot (AI assistance), GitHub Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most popular programming language in 2025?
A: JavaScript remains the most popular programming language in 2025, used by 66% of developers according to Stack Overflow's survey of 49,000+ developers. However, Python showed the largest year-over-year growth at 7 percentage points.
Q: Why is Python growing so fast in 2025?
A: Python's 7% adoption increase is driven by the AI and machine learning boom. With over 81% of developers using AI tools like ChatGPT, and AI job postings increasing 156% year-over-year, Python's simplicity and extensive ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch) make it essential for AI development.
Q: Should I learn Python or JavaScript first?
A: For beginners, the choice depends on career goals:
Choose JavaScript if: You want to build websites, web applications, or need immediate job opportunities.
Choose Python if: You're interested in AI, data science, or backend development.
Q: Is Docker really necessary for developers in 2025?
A: Yes. With 71.1% adoption rate among developers, Docker has become essential infrastructure knowledge. It solves the "works on my machine" problem, enables microservices architecture, and is required for modern CI/CD pipelines.
Q: What database should I learn?
A: PostgreSQL (55.6% usage) offers the best learning ROI because:
Market demand: 73% increase in job postings
Enterprise adoption: Used by major companies (Apple, Instagram, Netflix)
Skills transfer: PostgreSQL knowledge applies to other SQL databases
Q: Are AI tools replacing developers?
A: No, AI tools are augmenting developers, not replacing them. 81.4% of developers use ChatGPT for assistance, reporting 23% productivity improvements. AI handles routine tasks, allowing developers to focus on architecture, problem-solving, and creative work. Developers who integrate AI tools are becoming more valuable, not obsolete.
Accelerate Your Team's Learning Journey
Ready to upskill your development team in the most in-demand technologies of 2025?
Tami's expert-led corporate training programs help your developers master Python, cloud development, React, and other critical skills faster than self-study.
Why Tami for corporate developer training?:
✅ Data-Driven: Training programs based on real industry demand
✅ Expert Instructors: Senior developers with 10+ years industry experience
✅ Measurable Results: Track and measure your team’s results
✅ Flexible Delivery: In-person, virtual, or hybrid training options
✅ Custom Programs: Tailored to your projects and business needs
Popular corporate training programs:
Python for AI Development
React & Modern JavaScript
Cloud Development with AWS
Docker & Kubernetes
Full-Stack Development
Thank you for reading!
P.S. You can read the full 2025 Developer Survey Report from StackOverflow here.