November brings another reshuffle to the TIOBE Index, with established programming languages trading places and recent gains proving difficult to sustain.

Several rankings remain separated by slim margins, allowing even modest rating changes to rearrange the leaderboard. With 2026 nearing its end, some of the year’s closest contests remain unresolved.

The TIOBE Programming Community Index measures programming language popularity using search engine results related to skilled engineers, courses, and third-party vendors. Its ratings reflect search-based visibility rather than the number of developers using each language or the amount of code written in it.

Historical trends trace the popularity of programming languages over decades. Image: TIOBE Software.

Python maintains its lead as C strengthens

Python remains first at 20.86%, extending its recovery after several months of weaker ratings.…