In the tech world, there is a constant flow of changes and keeping up with them means the choice for tools and technologies which are the most appropriate to invest your time in. In 2025 the best programming language or technology stack to learn really depends on your personal aims, hobbies, and apps you are going to create.
The interest in Java is dropping. February 2025 TIOBE programming community index. C++, which has long been the cornerstone of system programming and performance-critical applications, has officially overtaken Java to take second place in the TIOBE programming language popularity index. A new report from the Java vendor Azul claims that 88% of companies are considering moving off of Oracle Java to another alternative as a result of rising costs and restrictive policies from Oracle, among other issues.
The growing trend in the world of software development: speed matters. C++, Go, and Rust are gaining popularity because the need for computing power increases faster than speed of CPUs is increasing, sothere is a growing interest to the fast programming languages. While C++ is establishing itself, other fast languages are making significant strides. Go continues its top 10 ranking, while Rust has reached an all-time high.
Python still holds its place at the top of the programming world. Since the number of trained experts in the software industry is not enough to cover the growing need, professionals from many other fields are taking over programming skills with the help of Python. This ensures that Python maintains its position even as speed continues to be emphasized in programming language choices. Programs written with Python are often notoriously slow and inefficient. Python 3.14, due out later this year, is set to receive a new type of interpreter that can boost performance by up to 30% with no changes to existing code. Write Python like it’s 2025 and check Python Libraries That Will Make You Feel Like a Data Wizard.
There are also innovative alternatives to the popular languages are gaining steam—and one of them could be the perfect fit for your next project. Top programming languages to learn in 2025: Python, JavaScript, Rust, and more – maybe also Go. Check out also those 11 cutting-edge programming languages to learn now or decide it is better for you to not going to learn a new programming language this year.
Microsoft is actively pushing Visual Studio Code extensions for many uses and even replacing existing separate tools. GitHub Copilot is advertised as your AI pair programmer tool in Visual Studio Code. Check the Best VS Code Extensions to Boost Your Productivity.
Best Backend Frameworks for 2025: A Developer’s Guide to Making the Right Choice The stakes for choosing the right backend framework have never been higher. With the explosion of AI-powered applications, real-time processing requirements, and microservices architectures, your framework choice can make or break your project’s success.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating at an astonishing pace, quickly moving from emerging technologies to impacting coding a lot AI tools have come heavily to the coding. Coders use AI to help their coding in many ways. You can write code quickly. How to refactor code with GitHub Copilot. How To Build Web Components Using ChatGPT. There are also warnings that Using GitHub Copilot is one sure-fire way to never actually learn how to do coding.
The web has come a long way from static HTML pages to dynamic and highly interactive applications. When traditional JavaScript-based web apps struggle with performance-intensive tasks, WebAssembly (WASM) promises to enable near-native performance on the web. Read Why WebAssembly (WASM) is the Future of High-Performance Web Apps.
JavaScript in 2025 will see advancements in serverless architectures, integration with WebAssembly, adoption of microfrontends, and more. JavaScript is also a fighting field. Deno filed a petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to cancel Oracle’s trademark in November 2024. Oracle will not voluntarily release its trademark on the word “JavaScript”. Building Modern React Apps in 2025 – A Guide to Cutting-Edge Tools and Tech Stacks
The open source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment Node.js will soon support TypeScript by default, without extra configuration. Node 23 will be able to run TypeScript files without any extra configuration. Express is an extremely commonly used web server application framework in Node.js.
Open Source in 2025: Strap In, Disruption Straight Ahead article takes a look for new tensions to arise in the New Year over licensing, the open source AI definition, security and compliance, and how to pay volunteer maintainers. For good news check out Top Open Source Projects to Watch in 2025 and 13 top open-source tools you must use for your next big project in 2025.
The Mobile Development Tech Stack for 2025 selection is important because the right tech stack can make or break your mobile app. The mobile development tech stack for 2025 is rich with opportunities.
Must-Know 2025 Developer’s Roadmap and Key Programming Trends article says that in the world of coding trends, one thing is clear: classic languages like Java, Python, and JavaScript are still important, but they’re being joined by new favorites such as Go and Rust. And when you ask “Is JavaScript or Python 2025?” the answer is rarely simple – and could be that you need both.
Here are some points:
Python’s Growth in Data Work and AI: Python continues to lead because of its easy-to-read style and the huge number of libraries available for tasks from data work to artificial intelligence. Tools like TensorFlow and PyTorch make it a must-have.
JavaScript and Its Ongoing Role in Building Website: JavaScript (and by extension, TypeScript) is the basic building block. JavaScript is still essential for web work, running both the parts you see on a site and the behind-the-scenes work, but many coders are now preferring TypeScript for business projects. Try building a small web app using React.
The Rise of Go and Rust: For those looking at future coding languages 2025, Go and Rust are getting a lot of attention.
Java, C++, and C#: The Reliable Favorites: Even in 2025, there’s no ignoring that languages like Java, C++, and C# are still important. Java continues to be a top choice for large business applications and Android app development, while C++ is key in systems work and game development.
There are several shifts that every aspiring coder should keep in mind:
Adding Artificial Intelligence to Coding: The future of coding is closely linked with AI
Building for the Cloud: With cloud computing becoming common, languages that handle many tasks at once and run fast (like Go and Rust) are more important than ever.
The Need for Full-Stack Skills: Coders today are expected to handle both the front part of websites and the back-end work. JavaScript, along with tools like Node.js and modern front-end libraries, is key.
Focus on Safety and Speed: With online security becoming a big issue, languages that help avoid mistakes are getting more attention. Rust’s features that prevent memory errors and Go’s straightforward style are good examples.
Keep Learning and Stay Flexible: One thing that never changes in tech is change itself. What is popular in 2024 might be different in 2025.
Here’s a simple table that sums up some facts in plain language:
| Language | 2025 Trend | Main Advantage | Resource Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python | Leads in data work and AI | Easy to read, lots of tools | GeeksforGeeks |
| JavaScript | Essential for building websites | Works everywhere on the web | Snappify |
| TypeScript | Becoming popular in large projects | Helps catch errors early | Fullstack Academy |
| Go | Growing quickly in cloud computing | Fast and handles many tasks at once | Nucamp |
| Rust | New favorite for safe, low-level coding | Prevents common memory mistakes | The Ceres Group |
| Java | Still important for big business and Android work | Runs on many types of systems | Wikipedia |
Best Dev Stacks to Learn in 2025lists the top development stacks for 2025 to be:
1. MERN Stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js)
2. MEVN Stack (MongoDB, Express.js, Vue.js, Node.js)
3. JAMstack (JavaScript, APIs, Markup)
4. T3 Stack (Next.js, TypeScript, tRPC, Tailwind CSS, Prisma)
5. Flutter Stack (Flutter, Firebase)
6. PERN Stack (PostgreSQL, Express.js, React, Node.js)
7. Django Stack (Django, PostgreSQL, React/Angular)
8. DevOps Stack (Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, Terraform)
9. AI/ML Stack (Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, FastAPI)
10. Blockchain Development Stack (Solidity, Ethereum, Hardhat)
11. Spring Boot + React Stack
10 hot programming trends — and 10 going cold
Hot: Repatriation
Not: Cloud bills
Hot: AI partners
Not: Human pair programming
Hot: Rust
Not: C/C++
Hot: Wasm
Not: Interpreters
Hot: CPUs
Not: GPUs
Hot: Zero-knowledge proofs
Not: Digital signatures
Hot: Trustworthy ledgers
Not: Turing-complete ledgers
Hot: GraphQL
Not: REST
Hot: Static site generators
Not: Single-page apps
Hot: Database configuration
Not: Software programming
What’s trending in Software-driven Automation (SDA) in 2025? Here are some predictions:
1. Virtual Safe Control – A new and novel concept introduced by CODESYS and SILista, making it possible to implement Functional Safety controller reaching SIL2 or even SIL3 level, using generic hardware with help of software virtualisation. This will significantly decrease cost of hardware and speed up development cycle.
2. Open platforms – This trend started already last year, and now we’re seeing more and more automation vendors coming this way. #ctrlXOS opened the game, and there are other vendors like Phoenix coming the same way with their PLCnext Virtualised.
3. Model-based Design (MBD) – An old concept but not yet fully utilised in development. Maybe because lack of well integrated toolchains in the past. But now we’re seeing more and more industrial players adopting the methodology in their product development.
4. AI, of course, but how? Naturally AI can assist in efficient software development and testing. Also some algorithm optimisation and condition monitoring with AI and ML has been seen.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Vibe coding is getting out of hand
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TZt6thN7AU8
Tomi Engdahl says:
Top 10 Craziest Assembly Language Instructions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz_xJPN7lAY
Tomi Engdahl says:
‘Forbidden’ AI Technique – Computerphile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx4Tpsk_fnM
Tomi Engdahl says:
Vibe coding
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15jzAkdaL8/
Tomi Engdahl says:
My Experience Using Windsurf Editor: The Pros, Cons & Learning Curve
https://medium.com/version-1/my-experience-using-windsurf-editor-the-pros-cons-learning-curve-4da74e1dc0b2
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cursor vs Windsurf IDE: 6 Reasons I Chose Windsurf
Hostbor
https://hostbor.com › cursor-vs-win…
3 päivää sitten — Windsurf utilizes a range of AI models including GPT-4.1, Claude 3.5/3.7 Sonnet, Gemini models, and DeepSeek models. Each model consumes a …
https://hostbor.com/cursor-vs-windsurf-ide-6-reasons/
After using Cursor for quite some time, I’ve recently moved to Windsurf IDE, and the difference has been remarkable.
What is Cursor IDE?
Cursor is an AI-powered code editor developed by Anysphere that integrates large language models directly into your coding environment.
It features an “Agent Mode” that aims to handle complex coding tasks from understanding requirements to implementing changes across multiple files.
I initially chose Cursor because of its sleek interface and powerful AI capabilities powered by models like GPT-4 and Claude.
What is Windsurf IDE?
Windsurf IDE (formerly known as Codeium) is also a VS Code fork designed to create a seamless “flow state” for developers.
Its central AI component is an agent named “Cascade,” built on the philosophy of “Flows = Agents + Copilots” that both collaborates interactively and manages complex tasks autonomously.
OpenAI acquired Windsurf in May 2025, which ensures significant future enhancements and deep integration with OpenAI’s model ecosystem.
The Game-Changing Price Restructuring
On April 21, 2025, Windsurf completely overhauled their pricing structure, which was one of the main catalysts for my switch.
The most immediate benefit I noticed was Windsurf’s straightforward pricing structure.
At $15 per month for the Pro plan (versus Cursor’s $20), I’m getting the same package for 25% less.
Even more importantly, Windsurf eliminated their confusing “flow action credits” system.
OpenAI acquired Windsurf in May 2025 for a reported $3 billion.
This major development means Windsurf will receive significant resources and technical advancements from one of the leading AI companies.
Users can expect deeper ChatGPT integrations and potentially even included access to premium models within the subscription.
In my daily use, I’ve found that Windsurf simply remembers more of my project for longer compared to Cursor.
Cursor constantly frustrated me when it would forget parts of my codebase it had just examined or suggestions it had recently made.
Windsurf’s approach to AI memory seems less aggressive in optimization, which means fewer mistakes and more contextually relevant suggestions.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Codeium/comments/1h3k4uu/help_my_windsurf_editor_is_laggyslow/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Is your code bloated? Slow? Use Windsurf AI optimizes your code, making it cleaner and faster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBFzRC-0OF8
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why I Switched Back to Cursor After Trying Windsurf for a Week
https://medium.com/@harutyunabgaryann/why-i-switched-back-to-cursor-after-trying-windsurf-for-a-week-6de76373d868
Windsurf: First Impressions
To be completely honest, Windsurf made a fantastic first impression. It’s light, launches in a snap, and the UI is crisp and modern. If you’re used to the heavy load times of traditional IDEs or even a sluggish VSCode setup, Windsurf feels like a breath of fresh air.
Performance-wise, it was rock solid. Whether I was navigating large codebases or opening multiple files, Windsurf handled it with ease. I can totally understand why developers rave about its speed — it’s one of the best I’ve seen in this space.
But Speed Isn’t Everything
Despite the smooth experience, something started to feel off by day three.
Autocompletion Fell Short
Cursor’s autocomplete feels like it reads my mind. I’m not just talking about completing a word or method — I’m talking about multi-line suggestions that actually make sense in context. Cursor understands what I’m trying to build and proactively helps me get there.
With Windsurf, autocomplete felt… shallow. It worked, sure, but the suggestions were often generic or just wrong. There were more moments where I had to delete its suggestions than moments it actually helped me move faster.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Windsurf vs. Cursor – which AI coding app is better?
An honest review of Windsurf
https://www.thepromptwarrior.com/p/windsurf-vs-cursor-which-ai-coding-app-is-better
There’s a new AI coding app called Windsurf that’s been getting really popular lately.
A lot of people have been saying it’s better than Cursor. So I wanted to test it and find out for myself.
This is going to be an honest review on the pros and cons of Windsurf and how it compares to Cursor.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://codeparrot.ai/blogs/a-guide-to-using-windsurfai
https://www.usesaaskit.com/blog/how-to-set-up-windsurf-ai-code-editor
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.greptile.com/blog/comparing-cursor-vs-windsurf
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ask HN: Cursor or Windsurf?
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43959710
Why Windsurf is the Best Free AI Code Editor You’ve Never Heard Of
https://dev.to/dev_michael/why-windsurf-is-the-best-free-ai-code-editor-youve-never-heard-of-3ofj
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.builder.io/blog/cursor-vs-windsurf-vs-github-copilot
Tomi Engdahl says:
Client-Side vs. Server-Side Processing in Windsurf
Client-Side Processing
User Interface Rendering: All UI elements, animations, and visual feedback are handled locally.
Local Code Indexing: Windsurf performs local indexing of your codebase to understand its structure and provide context-aware suggestions.
Text Editor Operations: Basic text editing, cursor movements, and selection handling happen locally.
Syntax Highlighting: Real-time syntax highlighting is typically processed locally.
Local Caching: Windsurf caches responses and code snippets locally to improve performance.
Request Preparation: Packaging your code context, queries, and history before sending to the server.
File System Operations: Reading local files, monitoring changes, and managing the workspace structure.
Server-Side Processing
AI Model Execution: The core AI models (like SWE-1, Claude, or GPT models) run on Windsurf’s servers.
Code Analysis: Deep semantic understanding of code, pattern recognition, and complex code analysis.
Code Generation: Creating new code snippets, completing functions, or refactoring suggestions.
Natural Language Processing: Understanding your queries and generating human-like responses.
Authentication & Authorization: User account management and access control.
Rate Limiting: Managing the number of requests users can make within certain timeframes.
Telemetry & Analytics: Processing usage data to improve the service (if enabled).
Performance Implications
When you experience “deadline exceeded” errors or “this request is taking longer than expected” messages, the bottleneck is typically on the server side, particularly with the AI model processing. The client is waiting for the server to complete its work, but the server takes too long and eventually times out.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://dev.to/shayy/the-serverless-dream-is-dead-2945
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.howtogeek.com/this-ide-actually-made-me-better-programmer/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://thenewstack.io/python-pandas-ditches-numpy-for-speedier-pyarrow/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250516-the-people-stuck-using-ancient-windows-computers
Tomi Engdahl says:
Peer Programming with LLMs, For Senior+ Engineers
https://pmbanugo.me/blog/peer-programming-with-llms
Programming with LLMs is both promising and frustrating. While these AI assistants can help with coding and debugging, they often waste time too. Yet for senior engineers, pair peer programming with LLMs shows real potential.
This article is a collection of blog posts written by other senior or staff+ engineers exploring the use of LLM in their work, without the usual hype or buzzwords from the usual suspects. I hope you find them useful and inspiring.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.xda-developers.com/vs-code-extensions-i-cant-live-without/
Tomi Engdahl says:
If COBOL is so problematic, why does the US government still use it?
If you’ve gotten cash from an ATM, you’ve interacted with a COBOL-based system. Here’s why this old programming language will probably outlive us all.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/if-cobol-is-so-problematic-why-does-the-us-government-still-use-it/
Tomi Engdahl says:
How vibe coding is tipping Silicon Valley’s scales of power
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/03/2025/how-vibe-coding-is-tipping-silicon-valleys-scales-of-power
In almost every way, Leo Paz is following a well-worn path to Silicon Valley success. The 27-year-old Canadian earned a degree in software engineering, co-founded a startup that was accepted into the vaunted Y Combinator accelerator program, and moved to San Francisco to build it.
But in another way, he’s unlike any of his predecessors: Since landing in the world capital of software development, he’s let AI do all the coding. Paz has been spending 14-hour days instructing large language models to do the work for him, “vibe coding” his sales agent startup Outlit all the way to Y Combinator demo day in April.
“I don’t think YC knew exactly how much code was being written by LLMs,” he told Semafor. It found out earlier this year after a founder survey. “They were kinda shocked,” he added.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hatchworks.com/blog/ai-agents/no-code-workflow-automation-with-n8n/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://composio.dev/blog/i-vibe-coded-gumloop-in-a-weekend/
Tomi Engdahl says:
What professionals really think about “Vibe Coding”
Many don’t like it, but (almost) everybody agrees it’s the future.
https://uxdesign.cc/what-professionals-really-think-about-vibe-coding-e209345e56cd
“Vibe Coding” is everywhere. Tools and game engines are implementing AI-assisted coding, vibe coding interest skyrocketed on Google search, on social media, everybody claims to build apps and games in minutes, while the comment section gets flooded with angry developers calling out the pile of garbage code that will never be shipped.
Patterns in Positive Responses to “Vibe Coding”
Positive responders often embraced vibe coding as a way to break free from rigid programming structures and instead explore, improvise, and experiment creatively.
“It puts no pressure on it being perfect or thorough.”
“Pursuing the vibe, trying what works and then adapt.”
“Coding can be geeky and laborious… ‘vibing’ is quite nice.”
This perspective repositions code not as rigid infrastructure, but something that favors creativity and playfulness over precision.
Several answers point to vibe coding as a democratizing force opening up coding to a broader audience, who want to build without going through the traditional gatekeeping of engineering culture.
Patterns in Neutral Responses to “Vibe Coding”
As shown in the initial LinkedIn poll, 27% of respondents expressed mixed feelings. When going through their responses, they recognised potential and were open to experimentation but they also had lingering doubts about the name, seriousness, and future usefulness.
“It’s still a hype or buzzword.”
“I have mixed feelings of fascination and scepticism.”
“Unsure about further developments.”
Patterns in Negative Responses to “Vibe Coding”
Many respondents expressed concern that vibe coding implies a casual, unstructured approach to coding. This was often linked to fears about poor code quality, bugs, and security issues.
“Feels like building a house without knowing how electricity and water systems work.”
“Without fundamental knowledge… you quickly lose control over the output.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Less TODO, more done: The difference between coding agent and agent mode in GitHub Copilot
We’ll decode these two tools—and show you how to use them both to work more efficiently.
https://github.blog/developer-skills/github/less-todo-more-done-the-difference-between-coding-agent-and-agent-mode-in-github-copilot/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://auth.hostinger.com/register?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fhorizons.hostinger.com%2F%3FdeviceId%3D285841ea-e0bd-4187-9ec6-393556b8ac82%26autofill_prompt%3DOver%2Bthe%2Bair%2Bupdate%2Bservice%2Bfor%2BIoT%2Bdevices%2Bupdate&promo=horizons
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://dev.to/wimadev/the-moment-i-let-go-of-clean-code-4ofp
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://dev.to/teamcamp/code-charts-and-checklists-dev-workflows-that-ship-faster-2b2b
Tomi Engdahl says:
Claude-powered coding tools are poised to transform programming
A deep dive into the powerful tools that were made possible by Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
https://www.understandingai.org/p/claude-powered-coding-tools-are-poised
Tomi Engdahl says:
“Learn to Code” Backfires Spectacularly as Comp-Sci Majors Suddenly Have Sky-High Unemployment
“Every kid with a laptop thinks they’re the next Zuckerberg.”
https://futurism.com/computer-science-majors-high-unemployment-rat
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://johnnysswlab.com/an-optimizing-compiler-doesnt-help-much-with-long-instruction-dependencies/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/05/ubuntu-25-10-rust-sudo-rs-change
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://dev.to/dev_kiran/top-5-open-source-tools-you-should-be-using-52g0
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://dev.to/anthonymax/10-open-source-gems-to-become-the-ultimate-developer-59k0
Tomi Engdahl says:
Top 10 Best AI Coding Agents for Vibe Coders 2025
https://dev.to/therealmrmumba/top-10-best-ai-testing-tools-for-vibe-coders-2025-4ai3
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.marktechpost.com/2025/05/24/optimizing-assembly-code-with-llms-reinforcement-learning-outperforms-traditional-compilers/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://dev.to/platypus98/9-development-tools-every-developer-should-watch-in-2025-199
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://realpython.com/python-control-flow/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://machinelearningmastery.com/10-python-libraries-that-speed-up-model-development/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Is the job market for software developers collapsing?
Concerns persist that artificial intelligence (AI) could render software developers obsolete, particularly with tools like GitHub Copilot and Cursor streamlining certain programming tasks. While these tools undoubtedly boost efficiency—Microsoft’s CEO has estimated that AI could write 30% of all code—the precise impact on productivity remains challenging to quantify.
https://lemire.me/blog/2025/05/27/is-the-job-market-for-software-developers-collapsing/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.infoworld.com/article/3993482/ai-didnt-kill-stack-overflow.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microsoft’s chief product officer has a message for coders, after company laid off over 2,000 software engineers
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/microsofts-chief-product-officer-has-a-message-for-coders-after-company-lays-off-over-2000-software-engineers/articleshow/121487301.cms
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Build RAG Applications Using Model Context Protocol
RAG applications built on MCP can bypass the overhead of embeddings and vector search — retrieving live, authoritative information on demand.
https://thenewstack.io/how-to-build-rag-applications-using-model-context-protocol/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.marktechpost.com/2025/05/31/a-coding-guide-to-building-a-scalable-multi-agent-communication-systems-using-agent-communication-protocol-acp/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://web.dev/blog/baseline-vscode
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://madhukarkumar.medium.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-vibe-coding-tools-2bd35e2d7b4f
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.qodo.ai/learn/vibe-coding/tools/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Vibe Coding War Gets Ugly
Vibe coding is no longer a fringe experiment—it’s quickly becoming the future of app development.
https://analyticsindiamag.com/global-tech/vibe-coding-war-gets-ugly/