25 Most Popular Programming Languages Used by DevOps Engineers in 2025

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Key Takeaways
• Background: Why DevOps Engineers Need Multiple Languages
• The 25 Most Popular Programming Languages for DevOps Engineers
• Real-World Examples
• Conclusion
• Next Steps
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Overview

DevOps professionals rely heavily on automation, scripting, and infrastructure-as-code. But the real power behind DevOps success? Programming languages. From writing CI/CD pipelines to configuring cloud environments, DevOps pros must master languages that support speed, scalability, and system integration. This blog explores the 25 most popular programming languages shaping the DevOps landscape today.

Key Takeaways

• DevOps engineers use a mix of scripting, compiled, and domain-specific languages.

• Language choice depends on use cases like automation, containerization, cloud provisioning, or monitoring.

  
  

• Python, Bash, and Go are among the most universally adopted.

• Emerging languages like HCL and Cue are growing rapidly with IaC (Infrastructure as Code).

• Mastery of a few core languages is better than learning all.

Background: Why DevOps Engineers Need Multiple Languages

DevOps isn’t about just deploying code — it's about orchestrating entire ecosystems. That means writing automation scripts, managing infrastructure, analyzing logs, and even building internal tools. This variety of tasks requires diverse language fluency:

• Scripting for quick automations

  
  

• Compiled languages for performance-critical tooling

• Markup languages for declarative infrastructure

Top organizations like Google, Netflix, and Meta use a combination of languages to support their DevOps workflows. Let's break down the most in-demand ones.

The 25 Most Popular Programming Languages for DevOps Engineers

Real-World Examples

• Python + Terraform: Automate AWS provisioning with Python scripts that trigger Terraform modules.

• Go + Kubernetes: Build custom Kubernetes controllers using Go for advanced automation.

• Bash + Jenkins: Automate backups and environment setups directly in Jenkins pipelines.

• Groovy + Docker: Use Groovy in Jenkinsfiles to run Docker-based builds.

• YAML + GitHub Actions: Define entire CI/CD workflows declaratively in YAML files.

✅ Conclusion

DevOps is a language-diverse discipline. There's no single language to rule them all. Successful engineers focus on:

• Scripting languages like Bash and Python for quick automation

• Infrastructure languages like HCL and YAML for cloud provisioning

• High-performance languages like Go and Rust for tooling

Understanding when and where to apply each language is what sets top DevOps engineers apart.

 Next Steps

• Learn Python and Bash if you’re just starting — they're foundational.

• Explore Go if you're working with Kubernetes or building internal tools.

• Get familiar with YAML, HCL, and JSON for infrastructure and configuration.

• Use hands-on labs or platforms like WebAsha, Katacoda, or DevOps playgrounds to practice.

FAQs

What programming languages do DevOps engineers use the most?

Python, Bash, Go, YAML, and HCL are among the top languages used by DevOps engineers.

Why is Python popular in DevOps?

Python is easy to write, supports powerful libraries, and is excellent for scripting, automation, and tool integration.

Is Bash still used in DevOps today?

Yes, Bash is critical for shell scripting, system automation, and Linux-based tasks in DevOps.

What is HCL, and why is it important?

HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language) is used in Terraform for writing infrastructure-as-code in a clean, readable format.

Is Go better than Python for DevOps?

Go is faster and better for building CLI tools and Kubernetes-related tasks, while Python excels in scripting and flexibility.

Can DevOps be done without coding?

Basic DevOps can use no-code tools, but scripting and coding are essential for scalability and automation.

What role does YAML play in DevOps?

YAML is used to define configurations in CI/CD pipelines and Kubernetes deployments due to its simplicity and readability.

What’s the difference between JSON and YAML in DevOps?

JSON is stricter and widely supported by APIs, while YAML is more readable and favored in configuration files.

Is Rust used in DevOps?

Yes, Rust is emerging in DevOps for creating high-performance and safe tooling, especially in infrastructure.

What DevOps tools are built using Go?

Docker, Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Terraform are all built using Go.

Why is Groovy used in Jenkins?

Groovy is the default scripting language for Jenkins pipelines (Jenkinsfile), enabling customized build automation.

Should a DevOps engineer learn JavaScript?

Yes, especially if you're working on web-based dashboards or serverless workflows in DevOps.

Is PowerShell necessary for Windows-based DevOps?

Absolutely. PowerShell is the go-to scripting language for managing Windows environments.

What is Rego used for in DevOps?

Rego is used in Open Policy Agent (OPA) for enforcing policy-as-code in Kubernetes and cloud-native environments.

Why is Go preferred for Kubernetes?

Kubernetes is written in Go, and its custom controllers and operators are best built using Go for compatibility and performance.

Is learning Perl still useful in DevOps?

While not as popular as before, Perl is still found in legacy systems and quick text processing tasks.

What is Cue, and how does it help DevOps?

Cue is a configuration language that helps validate and simplify complex YAML/JSON configurations, reducing human error.

Which language is best for writing CI/CD pipelines?

Groovy (Jenkins), YAML (GitHub Actions), and Python (custom scripts) are all commonly used for writing pipelines.

Can PHP be used in DevOps?

PHP is rarely used in core DevOps but may be involved in legacy systems or backend-related deployments.

How is Scala used in DevOps?

Scala is used in DevOps when working with big data tools like Apache Spark within the data infrastructure.

What’s the role of Kotlin in DevOps pipelines?

Kotlin is often used in Gradle scripts for Android CI/CD automation in mobile DevOps pipelines.

Is Elixir good for DevOps tools?

Elixir’s concurrency and fault tolerance make it ideal for building real-time monitoring tools in DevOps.

Why is C/C++ still relevant in DevOps?

These languages power agents and performance-critical infrastructure tools used in telemetry and monitoring.

Is R ever used in DevOps?

R is occasionally used in DevOps for statistical monitoring, log analytics, and anomaly detection.

How does Lua fit into DevOps workflows?

Lua is embedded into systems like NGINX for dynamic configuration scripting and high-speed customization.

Do DevOps engineers use C#?

Yes, especially in environments using Microsoft Azure and Windows Server-based infrastructure.

Should I learn multiple languages for DevOps?

Yes, but focus first on Python, Bash, and YAML. Add others like Go or HCL based on your specific needs.

What language is best for Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?

HCL (for Terraform), YAML (for Ansible/Kubernetes), and JSON are the most common in IaC.

Which languages are needed for Kubernetes automation?

YAML (configs), Go (custom controllers), Bash (scripts), and Python (scripts/integration) are key.

Can I use TypeScript in DevOps?

Yes, TypeScript is useful for building internal tools, frontends, and some cloud functions in DevOps.