Hey everyone, John here! Welcome back to the blog. Today, we’re going to do something a little different. Instead of diving deep into one specific piece of AI, we’re going to be detectives and look at a big survey that gives us a sneak peek into the world of the people who build all the apps, websites, and software we use every day. These amazing people are called developers.
Think of it like a census, but specifically for the tech world! A company called Devographics just released their “The State of Devs 2025” report, where they asked nearly 9,000 developers from all over the globe about their work, their lives, and the tools they use. It’s a fascinating look behind the curtain, and we’re going to break it all down in a way that’s super easy to understand. Ready? Let’s get started!
What Are the Most Popular Tools in a Developer’s Toolbox?
First up, let’s talk about the most fundamental tool for any developer: the programming language. If you want a computer to do something, you can’t just talk to it in English. You have to use a special language it understands. That’s what a programming language is—a set of instructions and rules to build software.
So, which languages are the most popular right now? The survey gives us a clear picture. Here are the top players:
- JavaScript: Used by a whopping 83% of developers!
- TypeScript: A close second at 75%.
- CSS: Used by 70%.
- HTML: Right behind at 69%.
- Python: A very popular language, in fifth place with 31%.
- Java: An older, very established language, used by 17%.
Lila: “Wait a minute, John. I see HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and TypeScript are the top four. They sound so similar! What’s the difference between them? Are they all used to build the same things?”
That’s a fantastic question, Lila! It can be confusing because they often work together, especially when building websites. Let me break it down with an analogy. Imagine you’re building a person:
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language): This is the skeleton. It provides the basic structure and content of a webpage. It’s the bones—the head, the arms, the legs. It tells the browser, “This is a heading,” “This is a paragraph,” “Here’s an image.”
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): This is the style and appearance. It’s the clothes, the hair color, the makeup. CSS takes the boring HTML skeleton and makes it look good. It controls the colors, fonts, layout, and spacing. Without CSS, the web would be a very plain and ugly place!
- JavaScript: This is the brain and muscles. It makes the webpage interactive and dynamic. If HTML is the skeleton and CSS is the look, JavaScript is what makes the person able to walk, talk, and react. When you click a button and something happens, or see a cool animation, or fill out a form online—that’s usually JavaScript at work. It’s the language of interactivity on the web, which is why it’s number one!
- TypeScript: This one is a bit like a smarter, more careful cousin of JavaScript. It’s actually built on top of JavaScript but adds stricter rules. Think of it like having a helpful editor who checks your grammar and spelling before you publish a book. It helps developers catch errors early, which is incredibly useful for building large, complex applications. That’s why so many developers who use JavaScript also use TypeScript.
The Great Computer Debate: Which Operating System Do Developers Prefer?
Okay, so we know what languages they’re writing, but what kind of computer are they writing on? This comes down to the Operating System, or OS for short. The OS is the main software that manages your entire computer. It’s the boss that tells all the other programs and hardware what to do. The most famous ones are Windows, MacOS (for Apple computers), and Linux.
For decades, there’s been a friendly (and sometimes not-so-friendly) rivalry between them. So, who wins in the developer world? The results might surprise you!
- MacOS: The clear winner, used by 57% of developers.
- Windows: In second place with 28%.
- Linux: Used by 15% of developers.
Lila: “Wow, that is surprising! I have a Windows computer, and I feel like most people I know do too. Why do so many developers prefer using MacOS?”
You’re right, Lila. In the general public, Windows has a much larger market share. But in the developer community, things are a bit different. While we can only guess the exact reasons, there are a few popular theories. Many developers love MacOS because, under its beautiful surface, it’s built on a system called Unix. This is a very powerful and flexible foundation that is great for programming and using command-line tools. Fun fact: Linux is also a “Unix-like” system, which is why many developers like it, too. For a long time, Windows was very different, though it has made huge strides in recent years to be more developer-friendly. Plus, let’s be honest, many people just love Apple’s design and how all their devices work together seamlessly. And if you want to build apps for iPhones or iPads, you pretty much have to use a Mac.
How Do Developers Stay Organized and Communicate?
Building software isn’t a solo sport; it’s usually a team effort. And big projects can get messy fast! That’s why developers rely on special apps to keep their projects on track and to communicate with their teammates. The survey asked about these, too.
Keeping Track of Everything: Productivity Apps
To manage huge projects with thousands of tasks, you need more than a sticky note. Here’s what developers are using to stay organized:
- Jira: The most popular, used by 56%.
- Notion: A flexible tool used by 30%.
- GitHub Projects: Used by 21%.
- Trello: A visual board-style tool, used by 12%.
Lila: “John, I’ve heard of Trello, which is kind of like digital sticky notes on a board. But what on earth is Jira? Why is it so popular?”
Great question, Lila! Think of Jira as a super-powered, industrial-strength to-do list for massive teams. Imagine you’re building a car. You have thousands of parts and hundreds of steps. Jira lets you create a “ticket” for every single task, like “Design the steering wheel,” “Test the brakes,” or “Fix the squeaky door.” Each ticket can be assigned to a person, given a deadline, and tracked as it moves from “To Do” to “In Progress” to “Done.” It’s especially good for tracking bugs—those annoying errors in software. It helps make sure nothing gets lost or forgotten, which is critical in complex projects.
Staying in Touch: Messaging Apps
Of course, teams also need to talk to each other! Here are the most-used messaging apps in the developer world:
- Slack: The king of workplace chat, with 63% using it.
- WhatsApp: Very popular, at 50% (likely for smaller teams or quick chats).
- Discord: Originally for gamers, now used by 39% of developers.
- Microsoft Teams: Used by 38%, often in larger companies that use other Microsoft products.
But Who ARE These Developers? A Peek into Their Lives
Technology isn’t just about code and computers; it’s about the people who create it. This survey also gave us a fascinating glimpse into the demographics, salaries, and well-being of developers. Let’s take a look.
Money Matters: How Much Do Developers Earn?
This is always a hot topic! The survey found that the average yearly income for developers worldwide was about $91,553. Of course, this changes a lot depending on where you live. The highest earners were in:
- The United States, with an average of $143,646.
- Israel, with an average of $128,611.
And here’s some good news: despite a lot of talk in the news about a “tech downturn,” only 9% of developers said their income actually went down in the past year. This suggests that the demand for skilled developers remains very strong.
Happiness at Work
Are developers happy in their jobs? According to the survey, 44% reported being happy, which includes 18% who said they were very happy. This is a pretty positive sign for the industry, although it also shows there’s room for improvement.
Challenges in the Workplace
It’s not all sunshine and high salaries. The tech world still faces significant challenges with fairness and inclusion. When asked about discrimination, the most commonly reported factors were:
- Age: Reported by 12% of developers.
- Gender or Gender Identity: Reported by 11%.
This is a sober reminder that there’s important work to be done to make the tech industry a welcoming place for everyone.
A Glimpse into Personal Lives
The survey also asked a few personal questions, which help paint a more complete picture of the developer community:
- Gender: 82% of the survey respondents identified as men, 15% as women, and 3% as non-binary or gender non-conforming. This highlights the ongoing gender imbalance in the tech field.
- Smartphone Choice: It’s nearly a 50/50 split! 53% said their main mobile phone is an Android, while 47% use an iOS device (an iPhone).
- Family Life: A majority of developers, 64%, reported having no children.
What Do We Think About All This?
My take (John): For me, it’s always fascinating to see the hard data behind the tech world’s curtains. The complete dominance of JavaScript and its ecosystem is staggering, and it shows just how central the web is to everything we do. The data on job satisfaction and income is encouraging, but the numbers on discrimination are a crucial reminder that technology is a human industry, with human challenges that we all need to work on solving.
Lila’s take: This was really cool! I just use my phone and laptop every day without thinking about it. Now I know that the website I’m on was probably built with JavaScript, likely by someone using a Mac! It makes the whole world of technology feel less like some abstract, magical thing and more like something built by real people. Seeing the stats on their happiness and challenges makes it all feel much more human.
This article is based on the following original source, summarized from the author’s perspective:
JavaScript, MacOS lead usage in worldwide developer
survey