Most language migrations are driven by hype

Bill Doerrfeld | July 30, 2025

A new study exposes what really drives tech decisions in 2025...


Most developers admit their migrations are driven more by hype than proven outcomes. Today, I’m excited to cover a new report from HostingAdvice.com that surveyed 500 experienced devs on their recent migrations. Catch the exclusive on LeadDev.


The takeaways? Positive end results are 50/50, and the majority of migrations cause more tech debt. Those odds aren't that great. AI seems to be accelerating the rate of migrations, too.


To gauge outcomes before committing to the next flashy thing, experts recommend looking for warning signs, researching public case studies, following usage metrics, and encouraging AI literacy.


Check out the full piece on LeadDev!



Read: Yes, the majority of language migrations are driven by hype

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