JavaScript is the preferred computer language in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to a new survey of developers in that region by Evans Data Corp. Over 60 percent of developers use JavaScript and that usage has outstripped all 3GL and scripting language use, including Java.

Part of the language’s growth is due to the increased use of AJAX, which is used by 38 percent of developers – a 30 percent increase in the last year, according to EDC.

“Web 2.0 is a powerful dynamic that is sweeping the Internet,” said John Andrews, president and CEO of Evans Data Corp. “We’re seeing a lot of excitement about rich Internet apps, mashups, and AJAX in all regions, but especially so in EMEA, and this is spurring the growth in JavaScript use.”

The comprehensive survey of 350 professional software developers in EMEA was conducted in November 2007 and has a confidence level of 5.24 percent. The survey covered every major area of development: Platform use, migrations, languages, web services, SOA, OSS, technology adoption, tools and more.

Other findings include:

• Two-thirds of EMEA developers report that at least some of the applications they’ve worked on are multi-threaded. Additionally, half are either currently working on a multi-threaded app or expect to within six months.
• A third of EMEA developers are currently working on projects involving virtualization or expect to be within six months. Consolidation and cost savings are the major reasons for virtualization.
• Almost half of EMEA developers said they use agile development techniques some of the time.
  
  

• Google Searching for Java Innovators
• Job Trends: JSF Catches Swing
• Where To Find Senior Flex Developers?