Top Five Programming Languages Used In Google Cloud Platform

Dolly Aswin
Google Cloud - Community
4 min readApr 23, 2024

For developing applications on Google Cloud Platform (GCP), you’ll most likely need to learn at least one programming language. However, the specific language you choose depends on your application’s goals and your own background.

While GCP offers some no-code or low-code options, building custom applications typically requires writing code. For very simple applications, you might explore visual development tools offered by some GCP services. However, these tools may have limitations in functionality compared to custom coding.

What is The Best Programming Language For GCP?

There is no one best programming language for GCP. Choose the one that aligns with your project’s needs and your own learning preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore different options as you delve deeper into GCP development.

Consider Your Application’s Goals

  • Web development
    Python, Java, Node.js, Go, PHP (depending on complexity).
  • Data science and Machine Learning
    Python is dominant language in this field.
  • Serverless functions
    Python, Go and Node.js.

Think About Your Experience Level

  • Beginner-friendly
    Python is known for its readability and ease of learning.
  • Object-oriented experience
    Java might be a good choice if you’re familiar with object-oriented programming concepts.
  • Fast development
    Go is known for its speed and simplicity, making it ideal for rapid development.

Remember, GCP is flexible and supports a variety of languages. Explore the options that best suit your project and your experience level.

Top 5 Programming Languages Used In GCP

Here is a list of popular programming languages used in GCP along with their integration ease with various GCP services:

Top 5 popular programming languages used in GCP

Integration Ease Explanation

  • Easy
    Language has built-in support or official libraries for the GCP service.
  • Moderate
    Requires some additional setup or libraries for integration.
  • Hard
    More complex integration process, might involve custom code.

DevOps & Automation

Ease of integration depends on the specific tools you use within GCP and the language itself. Many popular DevOps tools offer plugins or SDKs for multiple languages.

Data Science & Machine Learning

While all languages can be used for data science and machine learning on GCP, some have more mature ecosystems of libraries and frameworks. Python is particularly strong in this area with TensorFlow, PyTorch, and other data science libraries.

General Recommendation Programming Languages For GCP

GCP is versatile and supports a wide range of languages. Explore the options that align best with your project’s needs and your experience level.

1. Python

Arguably the most popular choice overall and a versatile and beginner-friendly language. Python is beloved for its readability, vast libraries, and ease of use. Widely used for web development (App Engine, Cloud Run), data science (TensorFlow, Machine Learning), scripting (Cloud Functions), and data engineering. Integrates seamlessly with GCP services.

2. Java

A powerhouse for enterprise applications, Java offers strong performance and security features. It’s widely used for backend development on GCP and integrates seamlessly with GCP services like App Engine.

3. Go

Developed by Google itself, Go is a natural fit for GCP. It’s known for its speed, simplicity, and concurrency capabilities, making it ideal for building scalable and performant cloud-native applications on GCP. Great for microservices and serverless functions (Cloud Functions). Integrates well with GCP services due to its design and Google’s backing.

4. Node.js

JavaScript’s dominance extends to the cloud. Node.js is a popular option for backend development on GCP, particularly for web applications, due to its ability to handle asynchronous tasks efficiently. Popular for real-time and web applications. Suitable for App Engine’s flexible environment and Cloud Run. Integrates well with GCP services through community packages.

5. PHP

A veteran in web development, PHP is still a solid option for building web applications on GCP. It’s often chosen for its large community and mature frameworks like Laravel. Ultimately, the decision of whether to use PHP depends on your project’s specific requirements, your development team’s skills, and the desired functionalities. If you have a strong foundation in PHP and your project aligns well with its capabilities, it can be a productive choice for development on GCP.

Don’t hesitate to experiment and find the language that brings the most efficiency and productivity to your GCP application development and aligns best with your project’s goals. Remember, the best language is the one that empowers you to build, deploy, and scale your application effectively on GCP!

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