---
title: 'Top 10 Dying Programming Languages | Programming Languages Losing Popularity | Simplilearn'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=D8eZnTj4nDY'
video_id: 'D8eZnTj4nDY'
date: 2026-10-22
duration_sec: 593
channel: 'Simplilearn'
---

# Top 10 Dying Programming Languages | Programming Languages Losing Popularity | Simplilearn

> Source: [Top 10 Dying Programming Languages | Programming Languages Losing Popularity | Simplilearn](https://youtube.com/watch?v=D8eZnTj4nDY)

## Summary

This video presents a countdown of the top 10 programming languages that are losing popularity, exploring the reasons behind their decline, their remaining use cases, and modern alternatives. It aims to guide developers in choosing technologies aligned with future opportunities.

### Key Points

- **Purpose of the video** [00:50] — The video will explore why languages lose popularity, where they are still used, and which modern alternatives to consider.
- **Perl's decline** [01:03] — Perl was used for text processing, system administration, and websites, but lost ground to Python and Ruby. Still used in legacy systems and automation.
- **Objective-C displaced by Swift** [02:07] — Swift replaced Objective-C in 2014, but Objective-C remains important for maintaining older Apple apps.
- **Visual Basic 6 replaced** [03:03] — Visual Basic 6 was popular for Windows apps but lost to C#, .NET, and JavaScript as web and cloud became dominant.
- **COBOL's specialized niche** [03:44] — COBOL still runs critical banking, healthcare, and government systems, but fewer developers are learning it.
- **Fortran's limited growth** [04:26] — Fortran remains in high-performance computing but faces competition from Python, C++, and Julia.
- **Haskell's niche status** [05:18] — Haskell is respected for its functional programming but has low adoption due to a steep learning curve and small job market.
- **Ruby's shrinking share** [06:02] — Ruby on Rails declined as JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python took over web dev. Ruby still powers existing apps but fewer select it for new projects.
- **R overshadowed by Python** [06:53] — R lost its dominance in data analysis to Python, which offers broader use in AI and automation.
- **PHP's reduced dominance** [07:33] — PHP still powers WordPress but new projects increasingly use modern frameworks and cloud architectures.
- **Java's plateau** [08:17] — Java's growth has slowed despite its massive ecosystem, with Kotlin, Python, JavaScript, Go, and Rust gaining favor.

## Transcript

>> [music] >> becomes outdated tomorrow? Technology changes faster than ever. Languages that once powered millions of enterprise systems toward newer technologies like artificial
modern development frameworks. From languages [music] that dominated the technologies that built some of the world's biggest platforms, many once facing a [music] decline in demand. But does this mean they are completely dead?
languages are still running critical systems behind banks, governments, and large organizations. However, for new developers starting their careers, [music] choosing the right technology to learn
can make a huge difference. So in this video, we will explore the top 10 dying why their popularity is decreasing, where they are still used, and which modern alternatives developers can consider instead. Let's get started.
Starting our list at number 10 is Perl. Perl was once [music] one of the most popular scripting languages in the world, especially during the early days Army knife of programming languages, [music]
Perl was widely used for text processing, system administration, automation, and building dynamic websites. [music] During the 1990s and early 2000s, many developers preferred Perl because of its powerful [music]
scripting capabilities and flexibility. However, as software development JavaScript, [music] and Ruby started gaining popularity because of their simpler syntax, larger communities, and wider range of applications. Today, Perl
is still used in certain areas like legacy systems, automation, and server [music] management. But fewer companies are choosing Perl for new projects. Developers interested in scripting and automation today often [music] explore
Python because of its strong industry demand and extensive ecosystem. Coming Objective-C. Objective-C played a major role in
decades. Before Swift was introduced, Objective-C was the primary language used to develop applications [music] for iPhones, applications [music] for iPhones, iPads, and macOS. Many popular Apple
applications [music] were built using Objective-C. And thousands of existing apps [music] still contain Objective-C code today. However, in 2014, Apple introduced Swift, [music] a modern programming language designed to be
faster, safer, and easier to learn. Since [music] then, many developers have shifted towards Swift for building new Apple applications. While Objective-C is still important [music] for maintaining older applications, its popularity among
new developers has significantly [music] decreased. For anyone interested in Apple development today, Swift has become [music] the preferred choice. At number eight, we have Visual Basic 6. Visual Basic 6 was one of Microsoft's
most successful programming languages and introduced millions of developers to drag-and-drop interface [music] made it extremely popular for creating Windows desktop applications, business tools, and internal [music] company software.
and internal [music] company software. Many organizations used Visual Basic 6 to build applications that supported their daily operations. [music] However, as technology moved toward web applications, cloud computing,
>> and modern software architectures, Visual Basic 6 gradually lost [music] maintain older applications built using Visual Basic 6, but new technologies like C#, .NET, [music] JavaScript, and cloud-based platforms.
Moving to number seven is COBOL. [music] COBOL is one of the oldest programming COBOL is one of the oldest programming languages created in the late 1950s. decades old, COBOL continues to run many important systems, especially in
health care, and government organizations. Large financial institutions still depend on COBOL because millions of lines of existing code [music] handle critical business operations. However, fewer developers
are learning COBOL today, creating challenges for organizations >> that need professionals to maintain these systems. While COBOL is not disappearing [music] immediately, its use is becoming more specialized as
companies modernize their technology infrastructure. At number six, we have [music] Fortran. Fortran was one of the first high-level programming languages and became [music] widely used in scientific computing, engineering, and
research. Scientists and engineers relied on Fortran because it was highly [music] calculations and simulations. It has played an important role in areas like weather forecasting, [music]
aerospace research, and high-performance computing. However, modern languages like [music] Python, C++, and Julia have become popular alternatives because they [music] developer communities. Fortran
is still valuable in specialized scientific environments, but its overall popularity [music] has declined compared to newer programming languages. Coming in at number five is Haskell. Haskell is a [music] functional
mathematical approach, advanced type system, and unique programming concepts. programming languages and is respected among researchers and experienced struggled to achieve widespread adoption in mainstream software development. One
major reason is its steep learning curve and [music] smaller job market compared to languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript. Today, Haskell is mainly used in specialized areas such as [music] academic research, finance, and
projects where functional programming provides [music] specific advantages. While it remains technically impressive, its demand in the general software industry [music] has decreased. At number four, we have Ruby. Ruby became
extremely [music] popular because of the Ruby on Rails framework, which developers to build applications quickly. Many startups and companies [music] used Ruby on Rails to create websites,
e-commerce platforms, [music] and online services. However, as web development evolved, competition from technologies like JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, [music] and modern back-end frameworks reduced Ruby's
maintained and continues [music] to power several applications around the world. But compared to its peak years, fewer developers are choosing Ruby [music] as their primary programming language. Today, many new web developers
prefer technologies [music] that offer broader career opportunities and stronger industry adoption. Moving to number three is R. R became extremely [music] popular among statisticians, researchers, and data analysts because
capabilities. It is widely known for data visualization, statistical modeling, and academic [music] research. For many years, R was one of the most important tools for analyzing large data sets. However, with the growth [music]
of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data engineering, Python has become [music] the preferred choice for many professionals. Python provides automation, application development, [music] and AI projects. Although R is
general developers has declined. Coming in at number two [music] is PHP. PHP has been one of the most influential programming languages in the [music] history of web development.
[music] and became the foundation for popular platforms like WordPress. For many years, PHP was the [music] go-to language for creating dynamic websites because it was easy to learn, affordable to host, [music] and widely supported.
However, modern web development has shifted toward technologies like >> [music] >> and cloud-based architectures. Although PHP is still widely used and continues to receive updates, many new developers
are choosing [music] other technologies for building modern applications. The language is not disappearing, but its dominance in web development has reduced compared to previous years. Finally, at number one, we have [music] Java.
Now, this might surprise many developers because Java remains one of the most languages in the world. Java has powered enterprise applications, [music] Android development, financial systems, and large-scale software platforms for
decades. [music] However, compared to its peak popularity, Java's growth has slowed. Developers increasingly explore [music] newer languages like Kotlin, Python, JavaScript, Go, and Rust. Modern developers often prefer newer languages
faster development cycles, and better [music] That said, Java is far from disappearing. Its massive ecosystem, enterprise adoption, strong community, [music] and reliability ensure that Java
will continue playing an important role in software development for many years. Programming [music] languages are constantly evolving with the technology >> [music] >> does not always mean it becomes useless.
critical systems [music] around the world. However, for developers starting trends and learning technologies that align with future opportunities can make programming will be shaped by professionals who can adapt, learn
fundamentals with emerging technologies like AI, [music] cloud computing, and automation. Which programming language do you think will become outdated next? Let us know in the comments below. Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to
our channel, and turn on notifications for [music] more technology trends, programming guides, and career insights. Thanks for watching, and we'll see you Thanks for watching, and we'll see you [music] in the next video.