What I Learned From Stack Overflow‘s Massive Survey of 64,000 Developers

As a full-stack web developer with over a decade of experience in the industry, I always look forward to the annual Stack Overflow Developer Survey results. It‘s a fascinating snapshot of the rapidly evolving world of software development, straight from the keyboards of the programmers who are shaping it. This year‘s survey, which collected responses from over 64,000 developers worldwide, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the technologies, practices, and people driving innovation in the field.

In this article, I‘ll share my biggest takeaways from the 2017 survey results, along with some additional insights and analysis based on my own experiences and observations as a professional developer. Whether you‘re a seasoned coder or just starting to learn the ropes, there‘s something here for everyone who‘s curious about the state of the software development industry.

Web Development Is Eating the World

One of the clearest trends in this year‘s survey is the overwhelming dominance of web development as a specialization. A staggering 72.6% of respondents identified as web developers of some kind, whether front-end (19.8%), back-end (12.0%), or full-stack (63.7%).

This isn‘t surprising given the explosive growth of the internet and the increasing centrality of web applications to our daily lives. As Marc Andreessen famously said, "software is eating the world," and it‘s doing so largely through the web. Everything from shopping to socializing to work and entertainment is moving online, creating an insatiable demand for developers who can build robust, scalable, and user-friendly web applications.

What‘s more, the rise of mobile computing has blurred the lines between web and native app development. Many of the most popular mobile apps are actually hybrid web apps built with frameworks like React Native and Ionic. As a result, web development skills are becoming increasingly applicable across a wide range of platforms and devices.

JavaScript Reigns Supreme, But Python and Rust Are on the Rise

When it comes to programming languages, one thing is clear: JavaScript is still the king. For the fifth year in a row, JavaScript was the most commonly used language among survey respondents, with 62.5% saying they use it regularly. This is hardly surprising given the language‘s versatility and ubiquity on the web, as well as the rise of Node.js as a popular server-side runtime.

However, there are some interesting trends emerging in the language popularity data. Python, which has long been a favorite among data scientists and academic researchers, is gaining ground fast. It jumped from 4th place in last year‘s survey to 2nd place this year, with 51.2% of respondents using it. This may reflect the growing importance of data analysis and machine learning in the software industry, as well as Python‘s reputation for being easy to learn and highly productive.

Another language to watch is Rust, which topped the "most loved" list for the second year in a row. While still a niche language compared to giants like JavaScript and Java, Rust is quickly gaining a devoted following among systems programmers who value its focus on safety, concurrency, and performance. As one respondent put it, "Rust is the future of systems programming."

{{< figure src="https://imgur.com/RJlnLQw.png" caption="Most Popular Programming Languages (Source: Stack Overflow 2017 Developer Survey)" >}}

DevOps and Agile Are the New Normal

Another clear trend in this year‘s survey is the widespread adoption of DevOps and Agile methodologies. Over 75% of respondents said their company practices Agile development to some extent, with Scrum being the most popular framework. Additionally, practices like code review (65%), unit testing (67%), and continuous integration (58%) are now the norm rather than the exception.

This reflects a broader shift in the software industry towards more collaborative, iterative, and quality-focused development processes. As software becomes more complex and mission-critical, organizations are realizing the value of practices that promote code quality, reliability, and maintainability over raw speed and volume of output.

Personally, I‘ve seen the benefits of DevOps and Agile firsthand in my own work. Practices like pair programming, test-driven development, and continuous delivery have helped my teams catch bugs earlier, deliver value to customers faster, and adapt to changing requirements more easily. While there‘s no one-size-fits-all approach to software development, I believe that the principles behind DevOps and Agile are essential for any organization that wants to build high-quality software at scale.

Full-Stack Developers Are in High Demand

As I mentioned earlier, the majority of web developers in this year‘s survey identified as full-stack developers (63.7%). This reflects a growing trend in the industry towards developers who can work across multiple layers of the web stack, from the database and server-side logic to the user interface and front-end interactivity.

There are a few reasons for this trend. For one, the increasing complexity of web applications means that developers need to have a holistic understanding of how all the pieces fit together. It‘s no longer enough to be a specialist in just one area, like front-end development or database management. Companies are looking for developers who can take a feature or product from concept to deployment, and that requires a diverse skill set.

Additionally, the rise of cloud computing and "as-a-service" platforms like AWS and Heroku has made it easier for small teams and individual developers to take on end-to-end development projects. With tools like serverless functions and managed databases, developers can focus on writing code and delivering value rather than worrying about infrastructure and operations.

As a full-stack developer myself, I can attest to the value of having a broad skill set. Being able to work on any part of the stack gives me a lot of flexibility and autonomy in my work, and allows me to take on a wider variety of projects. It also makes me a more valuable team member, since I can help bridge the gap between different specialists and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals.

Developers Are Well-Compensated, But Money Isn‘t Everything

One of the most eye-catching findings from this year‘s survey was the data on developer salaries. The median salary for developers worldwide was $53,000, but that figure varied widely by region. In the United States, for example, the median salary was $100,000, nearly double the global median.

{{< figure src="https://imgur.com/P3UpYF8.png" caption="Developer Salaries by Region (Source: Stack Overflow 2017 Developer Survey)" >}}

Of course, higher salaries often come with a higher cost of living, especially in major tech hubs like San Francisco and New York City. But even accounting for those differences, it‘s clear that software development is a highly lucrative career path. In fact, in the U.S., the average developer salary is nearly three times the national median wage.

However, money isn‘t everything when it comes to job satisfaction. When asked what they value most in a job, respondents consistently ranked factors like work-life balance, company culture, and opportunities for professional development above pure compensation. This suggests that while developers certainly appreciate being well-paid, they also want to work for companies that respect their time, invest in their growth, and provide a positive and supportive work environment.

Personally, I‘ve found that the most fulfilling roles in my career have been those that challenged me to learn and grow, while also allowing me to maintain a healthy work-life balance. While a high salary is certainly nice, it‘s not worth burning out or sacrificing my personal life for. I believe that the best employers are those that recognize the value of their developers‘ time and well-being, and prioritize those things alongside business objectives.

Diversity and Inclusion Remain Significant Challenges

Perhaps the most sobering findings from this year‘s survey relate to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Despite ongoing efforts to improve representation and equity, the overwhelming majority of respondents were male (88.6%) and white (74.8%). Women made up just 7.6% of respondents, while black and Hispanic developers were even more underrepresented at 1.5% and 3.4% respectively.

{{< figure src="https://imgur.com/IybMBHD.png" caption="Developer Demographics (Source: Stack Overflow 2017 Developer Survey)" >}}

These numbers are a stark reminder of the significant work still needed to make the tech industry more diverse and inclusive. While there has been some progress in recent years, it‘s clear that there are still systemic barriers and biases that make it harder for underrepresented groups to enter and succeed in the field.

As a white male developer, I recognize that I have benefited from a great deal of privilege and opportunity that is not equally available to everyone. I believe that it‘s the responsibility of those of us in positions of privilege to actively work to create a more equitable and inclusive industry. This means not only supporting and amplifying the voices of underrepresented developers, but also examining and challenging our own biases and the biases in the systems and structures around us.

Diversity and inclusion aren‘t just feel-good initiatives—they‘re critical to the long-term success and innovation of our industry. Research has shown time and again that diverse teams are more creative, more productive, and better at problem-solving than homogeneous ones. If we want to build the best possible future through software, we need to make sure that everyone has a seat at the table and a chance to contribute their unique perspectives and experiences.

The Future Is Bright, But Challenges Remain

As I reflect on the insights from this year‘s Stack Overflow survey, I‘m struck by both the exciting progress and the persistent challenges facing the software development industry. On the one hand, it‘s clear that the demand for developer talent is higher than ever, and that the tools and technologies at our disposal are more powerful and accessible than ever before. The rise of web development, open source software, and cloud computing have democratized software development in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago.

At the same time, we still have significant work to do to create an industry that is truly equitable, sustainable, and inclusive. We need to do more to break down the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from entering and succeeding in the field. We need to invest in education and training programs that prepare the next generation of developers to tackle the complex challenges ahead. And we need to create workplace cultures and practices that prioritize the well-being and growth of developers, not just the speed and volume of their output.

As a full-stack developer with many years of experience under my belt, I‘m excited to be part of this ongoing evolution. I believe that software has the power to transform industries, solve global challenges, and create new opportunities for people around the world. But I also believe that we have a responsibility to wield that power ethically and responsibly, and to ensure that its benefits are shared equitably.

So let‘s keep pushing forward, learning from each other, and working together to build a better future through software. The insights from this year‘s Stack Overflow survey are a valuable guide and a reminder of how far we‘ve come and how far we still have to go. But with passion, creativity, and a commitment to positive change, I have no doubt that the developer community will continue to shape the world in powerful and transformative ways.