C, PHP, and jQuery Still Power the Web Despite Decades of Newer Rivals

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Despite being over 50 years old, the C programming language remains the backbone of system software, running on nearly every server worldwide, with even Rust failing to displace it. On the web backend, PHP continues to power roughly 70% of websites, though younger developers increasingly favor alternatives like JavaScript, Golang, or other emerging languages. In frontend development, JavaScript frameworks such as React, Vue, and Angular are popular, yet jQuery — largely sustained by WordPress — still runs on an estimated 60–70% of active websites. The article highlights that technology popularity and real-world usage are not the same thing, as entire applications are rarely rewritten simply because newer tools emerge. The key takeaway is that developers should prioritize durable, adaptable programming skills over chasing the latest trends.

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