> Programming languages are not that dependent on the number of users as human languages are.
But it's still a significant factor. CTOs base their technology choices (languages and libraries) on the popularity of those.
Common Lisp is one of my favourite languages, yet when programming something with my friends I have to do so in other languages. Why? They simply don't like the syntax. It looks weird and alien to them. No amount of ecosystem, usability and performance improvements will make them ever consider it, and that's fine.
But it's still a significant factor. CTOs base their technology choices (languages and libraries) on the popularity of those.
Common Lisp is one of my favourite languages, yet when programming something with my friends I have to do so in other languages. Why? They simply don't like the syntax. It looks weird and alien to them. No amount of ecosystem, usability and performance improvements will make them ever consider it, and that's fine.