Research
December 12, 2023

Adopting Cloud Computing: Discovering the Top Programming Languages for Microsoft Azure

Nowadays the importance and popularity of cloud computing is only growing, thousands of enterprises, from small to large ones, embrace cloud computing. In the middle of all this hype about cloud adoption, Microsoft Azure has become the leading choice for businesses, as it provides developers with various tools and services to make scalable and efficient solutions. So the last question that still stands is which programming language should developers choose for projects with Microsoft Azure? 

In this article, we’re diving into top languages like Python, Java, JavaScript, .NET and Go to help you discover how these languages seamlessly integrate with Azure and empower you to build innovative and reliable solutions in the cloud. But first of all, let’s define the importance of Microsoft Azure for developers. 

Daria Stashenko

Significance of Microsoft Azure for Developers

The importance of Microsoft Azure in the IT industry can’t be underestimated, but which value does it bring to developers? Azure was initially created to streamline the development of modern applications. You can host your whole application on the Azure platform or enhance on-premises applications with Azure services. Microsoft Azure supports today’s most widely used programming languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, .NET and Go. The main advantages of Azure for developers are SDK (Software Development Kit) library and high compatibility with development tools, like Visual Studio, Eclipse, VS Code, and IntelliJ. Now, let’s explore what options Azure provides for application development.

Hosting applications on Azure

Azure has capabilities to host every element of your application stack, including web applications, APIs, databases, and storage services. It offers various hosting models, such as containers or virtual machines. With Azure fully managed services your applications are empowered to take advantage of high availability, security and scalability features, which are integrated into the Azure platform.

Integrating cloud services into existing on-premises applications

On-premises applications can enhance their functions with the integration of Azure services. For example, an application can utilize Azure Blob Storage for cloud-based file storage, Azure Key Vault for secure management of application secrets, or Azure AI Search to implement full-text search capabilities. These Azure services are fully managed and can be easily integrated into your existing applications; they don’t require changes in the current architecture of applications or the deployment model.

Architectures based on container

Microsoft Azure offers a number of container-based services to make your application’s modernization smooth and seamless. Whether you require a private registry for storing your container images, you want to containerize an existing application for easier deployment, build applications based on microservices, or manage containers on a large scale – Azure provides customized solutions to meet your specific needs.

Modern serverless architectures

Azure Functions streamline the process of constructing solutions for event-driven workflows, whether it’s responding to HTTP requests, managing file uploads in Blob storage, or processing events in a queue. With Azure Functions you focus only on writing the code needed to handle your specific event, without concerns about servers or a framework code. Additionally, you get the benefit of using more than 250 connectors for simple integration with other Azure and third-party services, providing solutions for your most challenging integration errors.

Python

Python is a high-level computer programming language that is usually used to build software and websites, perform data analysis, and automate tasks. Being a general-purpose language, Python can also be used to create different types of programs. It supports several programming paradigms, including object-oriented, functional programming, and structured.

Why Python for Microsoft Azure?

By choosing Python for Azure you can take advantage of a powerful and flexible cloud platform that matches with Python’s versatility and popularity in the developer community. The combination of Azure’s services and Python’s capabilities provides a robust foundation for building modern, cloud-native applications. Well then, let’s dive into Microsoft Azure’s capabilities for Python.

 Azure Capabilities for Python

Development of Web Applications in the Cloud

You can create improved web applications faster with Azure-managed application platform that was designed specifically for Python. Also, can link your applications to data with Azure services tailored for both popular relational and non-relational databases, including SQL and NoSQL databases.

DevOps Techniques and Tools

Easily develop and solve problems in your Python applications with Visual Studio Code. Azure and  Visual Studio Code seamlessly integrate with GitHub, which allows developers to use the full DevOps lifecycle for Python applications.

Azure Data Science and Machine Learning Services

Easily create, train, and deploy models using Azure services for data science and Python machine learning, directly from any Python development environment.

JavaScript

JavaScript, also known as JS, is a lightweight interpreted programming language that helps make websites interactive. It allows you to create dynamic content, update information on a page without reloading it, and respond to user actions. JS enables web developers to add cool features like image sliders, form validations, or interactive buttons to your websites. 

Why JavaScript for Microsoft Azure?

When you use Microsoft Azure for JavaScript development, you get access to a strong cloud platform that pairs well with the versatility of JavaScript for building modern, responsive, and scalable applications. Azure services integrate smoothly and seamlessly with JavaScript frameworks and tools, making it easier for developers to create innovative solutions for various needs. Now, let’s uncover Azure Services for JavaScript.

Microsoft Azure Services for JavaScript

Numerous Tools for Successful Development Environment

Azure created a perfect development environment by giving these useful tools:

  1. The Azure Tools extension for seamless integration with Azure services.
  2. Git: Version control system for tracking changes in your codebase.
  3. Node.js: Always prefer the Long-Term Support (LTS) version.
  4. NVM (Node Version Manager): For managing multiple Node.js versions.
  5. Docker Containers: Containerization for consistent runtime across environments.
  6. Azure CLI: Facilitates Azure resource creation and management directly from your command line.
  7. Static Web Apps CLI: Specifically for hosting static web applications.

Azure Cognitive Services for AI and ML 

JavaScript developers can easily integrate Azure Cognitive Services into their applications to enable AI capabilities, which include computer vision and natural language processing.

Azure Functions for Serverless Computing

Azure Functions support JavaScript and it gives developers the ability to create serverless applications. With the help of Azure Functions, you can focus on writing codes without managing infrastructure to create efficient and cost-effective development.

Java

Java is a class-based, object-oriented, high-level programming language and software platform. It’s a safe, reliable, and fast programming language with which you can code everything, including mobile and big data applications, server-side technologies, or enterprise software.

 Why Java for Microsoft Azure?

The choice of Microsoft Azure for Java development makes you combine mobility and versatility of Java with the various capabilities of a leading cloud platform. The integration of Azure services with the strengths of Java enables developers to build reliable, scalable, secure, and efficient solutions for various types of applications. Let’s explore Microsoft Azure tools and SDK capabilities for Java.

Azure Tools and SDK for Java

Azure CLI

The Azure CLI offers a command-line interface for working with Azure resources. You can use it directly in your browser through Azure Cloud Shell or install it on macOS, Linux, or Windows to run commands from your command line interface. This flexibility makes it convenient to manage Azure resources based on your preferred environment.

Apache Maven and Gradle Plugins

Easily deploy Java applications on Azure by configuring Azure plugins in your Maven or Gradle builds. These plugins currently provide support for Azure App Service, Azure Functions, and Azure Spring Apps, optimizing the deployment process for your Java projects.

Azure SDK

Microsoft offers an official Azure SDK for Java, providing libraries and tools for seamless integration with Azure services. This SDK makes the development process easier by  simplifying the work of Java developers in the Azure ecosystem.

.NET

.NET is a framework that helps software developers build and run applications. It provides a set of tools and libraries that make it easier to create various programs starting from simple desktop applications to complicated web services. 

Why .NET Framework for Microsoft Azure?

When you choose Microsoft Azure for .NET development, you get benefits from a cloud platform that deeply understands and supports the .NET ecosystem. Azure offers integrated tools, services and support for .NET languages to make sure that developers get productive and efficient development experience while building a wide range of applications, like web, mobile, or cloud-native solutions. So, let’s dig into Azure resources for the .NET framework.

Microsoft Azure Resources for .NET

Azure SDK for .NET

The Azure SDK for .NET is created to make the integration of Azure services into your .NET applications easier. Doesn’t matter if you manage file uploads and downloads in Blob Storage, handle notifications from Azure Event Hubs, or fetch application secrets from Azure Key Vault, the Azure SDK for .NET offers a consequent and familiar interface, which ensures a seamless experience to interact with various Azure services.

Integration of Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps Services offer integration with the .NET ecosystem and provide a set of tools for source control, continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). This streamlines the development lifecycle and improves collaboration between development teams.

Azure App Services for Web Applications  

Azure App Service simplifies the deployment and management of web applications developed with .NET. It supports various .NET frameworks, including ASP.NET Core and ASP.NET, allowing developers to choose the framework that best fits their needs.

Go

Go or Golang is a programming language  created by Google. It’s a high-level language that was designed to be simple, efficient, and easy to use. Golang is the right choice for building software that needs to be fast and reliable. Go is also known for its simplicity, which makes it easier for programmers to write code that works well and performs in the right way.

Why Golang for Microsoft Azure?

The choice of Microsoft Azure service for Go development can give you various advantages, as Azure is a cloud platform that is well-suited to Go’s performance-oriented and parallel programming features. The combination of Azure’s services and Go’s capabilities provides a reliable environment for building modern cloud applications. Hence, let’s discover Azure DevOps and Dev tools for Go developers.

Azure DevOps and Dev Tools for Go Developers

Enhanced Code with Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code can help you enhance your Go coding experience. Also, you can enjoy benefits from IntelliSense code completions tailored for Go, lining up, integrated debugging, and a range of other features designed to make your coding workflow faster.

Detailed Analysis with Azure Monitor

Get comprehensive near real-time information about health, status, and performance of your applications or resources with the help of Azure Monitor service. You can set up alarms and easily diagnose issues, to proactively manage and monitor your environment.

Access to CI/CD, Agile, and Git   

Visual Studio Team Services is a cloud-based DevOps suite that provides a number of services which include CI/CD pipelines supporting various languages and platforms, effective Agile planning tools, Linux and Windows build agents, and unlimited amount of private Git repositories.

 

The process of cloud migration has high importance and requires careful consideration of whom you should deliver this task. As partners of Microsoft Azure, our experts are ready to help your enterprise go cloud and enjoy all the benefits of cloud migration. Unlock the power of cloud computing today — Book a meeting now!

Sign up for our updates!

Subscribe to our newsletters and get the latest from HYS Enterprise – industry insights, research copies, and actionable business tips straight to your inbox. Be sure to find out first.