The best array programming languages, according to hackers
7 array programming languages were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 4 earn the Hacker Approved badge.
Top picks
The three most recommended array programming languages with the badge. Each figure is 2 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Terse, short code
People recommend J for its terse array-based syntax, free open-source implementation and learning materials; critics find its tacit syntax and symbols hard to learn and remember.
Easiest entry into array languages
Recommended as an easy entry to array languages, with a visual, interactive tutorial and fun audio and graphics. Critics doubt it suits large projects.
Well documented, better than K derivatives
Recommended as a well-documented, APL-style array language with a high-performance implementation. Caveat: it is new and its notation is unlike standard math notation.
All 7 array programming languages, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | J programming language | 23 | 10 | 70% | 8 | — | Approved |
| 2 | Uiua | 20 | 4 | 83% | 9 | — | Approved |
| Tied 3 | BQN | 11 | 2 | 85% | 8 | — | Approved |
| Tied 3 | K programming language | 11 | 5 | 69% | 5 | — | Approved |
| 5 | kdb+ q | 7 | 1 | 88% | 5 | — | — |
| 6 | l runtime for k and q | 6 | 6 | 50% | 1 | — | — |
| 7 | Lil programming language | 5 | 1 | 83% | 5 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same array programming language in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to array programming languages that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
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