My "Mount Rushmore" of programming languages

Here is my “Mount Rushmore” of programming languages. It’s subjective of course, based on my personal taste, historical impact, influence, and longevity.

PHP – The Web's Original Builder

When the web started to evolve from a collection of static pages into a vibrant ecosystem of dynamic applications, PHP was the workhorse that made that transition possible.
This server‑side scripting language powered early platforms like WordPress and Facebook's first incarnations. Even today PHP is responsible for three quarters of the internet’s server‑side code according to W3Techs , and over 43% of all websites use WordPress, which is itself written in PHP.

PHP has grown far beyond the language I learned when building my first data‑driven web apps. Modern versions (PHP 7 and later) doubled performance, added scalar type hints, return types, a Just‑In‑Time (JIT) compiler and features like enums, fibers and readonly properties. The upcoming releases of PHP 8.4 and 8.5 bring property hooks, asymmetric visibility and a pipe operator that enables functional‑style chaining. It’s no longer the quirky tool it once was - today’s PHP offers a robust ecosystem of frameworks (Laravel, Symfony), package managers (Composer) and even a dedicated foundation supporting its development.

Personal take: PHP taught me how to think server‑side and build templates that render HTML with data. It’s still my go‑to when I need to spin up a quick API or content management system. The syntax might feel old‑fashioned sometimes, but its community and tooling keep it relevant.

For readers interested in diving deeper, check out the official documentation at php.net and explore frameworks like Laravel.

JavaScript – The Language of the Browser and Beyond

No modern web application exists without JavaScript (or a language that transpiles to it). It’s the scripting language that turns static HTML and CSS into interactive experiences. The MDN Web Docs describe JavaScript as the third layer of the web, enabling developers to implement complex features like dynamic content updates, interactive maps and animated graphics. When you see a web page do more than just display information, JavaScript is likely at work.

While JavaScript began as a browser language, it has grown into a full‑stack ecosystem. The Node.js runtime allows developers to write server‑side code in JavaScript, unifying frontend and backend development. Frameworks like React, Vue and Angular power user interfaces, while Express and NestJS simplify server implementations. You can even build mobile apps with React Native or desktop apps with Electron.

Personally, JavaScript is the language I’ve used most. From adding simple event listeners to building large single‑page applications, its flexibility and ubiquity make it a constant companion. The ecosystem is always evolving - TypeScript, JSX, and Next.js have all improved developer productivity - but the core language remains indispensable.

Explore JavaScript basics and advanced techniques at MDN Web Docs. If you're curious about server‑side JavaScript, the official Node.js website is a great starting point.

C# – Modern Productivity and Versatility

C# (pronounced C‑Sharp) was Microsoft’s answer to Java and has since evolved into a modern, cross‑platform powerhouse. Originally introduced in 2000, C# and its .NET framework now support web, desktop, mobile, cloud and even game development. Educative’s 2026 overview explains that .NET and C# remain highly relevant because of cross‑platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android), exceptional tooling like Visual Studio, performance advances from the JIT compiler, and deep integration with Azure cloud services.

Unity, one of the world’s most popular game engines, uses C# for scripting. This has made C# a go‑to language for indie and AAA game developers. The .NET ecosystem has also expanded with ASP.NET Core for building web APIs, .NET MAUI for cross‑platform mobile/desktop apps and Blazor for client‑side web apps. According to a report on .NET adoption, around 25.2% of software developers use the .NET framework and roughly 34.2% of all websites and web apps run on .NET.

My first developer job was at a Microsoft‑focused company, so I cut my teeth on C#, ASP.NET and MS SQL. I appreciate C#’s expressive syntax, strong type safety and the quality of its tooling. Features like LINQ, async/await and pattern matching make it productive and enjoyable.

To learn more, explore Microsoft’s official documentation at learn.microsoft.com/dotnet or dive into game development at Unity.

Python – Readable, Versatile and AI‑Driven

Python revolutionized programming by prioritizing readability and simplicity. The Zen of Python (PEP 20) reminds us that “Simple is better than complex… Readability counts”. Its clear syntax makes it ideal for beginners and experienced developers alike. The language’s design hides unnecessary boilerplate so you can focus on problem solving. By 2026 Python remains central to AI and machine learning, data analysis, automation, web development and cloud engineering.

Python’s popularity in data science stems from powerful libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, TensorFlow and PyTorch. These tools provide out‑of‑the‑box capabilities for handling large datasets, performing statistical analysis and training neural networks. Major AI platforms including OpenAI and Google Cloud offer Python‑first SDKs, further cementing its status as the go‑to language for machine learning.

I came to Python later in my career, initially using it for scripting and glue code. It quickly became my favorite tool for automating tasks and experimenting with AI models. The community is welcoming, and the ecosystem is massive - from web frameworks like Django and Flask to cloud automation tools like Ansible.

For a deep dive into Python, visit the official site at python.org or explore AI libraries through TensorFlow and PyTorch.

Conclusion

Choosing a personal “Mount Rushmore of programming languages” is inherently subjective. My selections reflect the languages that shaped my career and continue to influence modern software development. PHP gave the early web its dynamism and still powers most sites today. JavaScript turned the browser into an application platform and now spans the stack. C# modernized object‑oriented programming with an expansive ecosystem across devices and industries. Python emphasized readability and became the lingua franca of AI and data science.

What would you change on your own Mount Rushmore? Share your thoughts and favorite languages in the comments!