For new development/projects is Javascript or C++ officially recommended in 2018 by the Cocos2d developers?
c++ always 
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There is no preference. Use the language you are more comfortable with.
@tranthor did a joke, but he’s 80% right, because with C++ you have more control over the system. In JavaScript there are too many context switches (JScript <-> C++ <-> Java), which can reduce game speed.
PS: Totally OffTopic, but the app framework Flutter was built to reduce this context switches to a lowest amount. So if you use C++, you are mainly in the same context.
Most folks use c++. Use an IDE or text editor of your choice.
Javascript is next and we provide Cocos Creator for javascript developers.
Lua is last, not very popular, more popular among developers in APAC regions.
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