Coders and web developers these days have one distinct advantage over their forebears mere decades ago - they're spoiled for possibilities. There are additional programming languages available now than before.
However, some have pointed out that it isn't how clean the code is that now hallmarks the expert from the amateur - code has a tendency to get cluttered regardless. It seems one of the major difference makers these days lies in knowing which language is best for what purpose.
As programming languages gain flexibility and are developed with compatibility in mind, it can sometimes surprise people to know that many still "specialize" in certain functions or have features that others don't have. This can usually be traced back to their origins and the decisions made while these languages were initially designed. While software development companies might have little practical use for a programming history lesson, knowing what one language was meant to do can help in deciding whether or not to use it for a project.
Java was a language meant for networking applications and will see a lot of focus as one of the "cores" of the upcoming Windows build. For most consumers, this is the language powering various little applications on the Internet, as well as the heart of a number of cross-platform programs from a variety of developers. The syntax is familiar to anyone who has dabbled in C and has a similarly high degree of allowed reuse of code, though has problems with efficiency. While its speed has improved over time, many developers still find that Java is problematic to code for and lacks the efficiency of other languages available.
C and C are two of the most popular languages, with the former having a particularly strong grasp on game programming. Programmers often find C-based programs run faster, while C is typically more efficient to code, with a structure that allows for a lot of code to be reused. There has been some debate between whether or not the repeatability of C makes up for how difficult it can be to code for it, and whether there are any subtle advantages offered that outweigh the superior performance of C. It should also be noted that C has the option to be coded in C style if necessary.
In contrast to most other languages, Fortran is most preferred by scientists and researchers, as well as anyone else that needs very precise values in their calculations. This is because it allows for a large number of high-value variables to be included, limited only by the memory of the machine. This makes it highly-prized among engineers, who require detailed precision in their number-crunching and mathematical models. However, for other applications, many programmers find it lacking. It lacks flexibility and the code itself must be written within a certain structure that increases the difficulty.
PHP is primarily used for website design, but unlike Java, was never meant to see use in other areas. It is simplistic and designed to appeal to even amateurs, who are known to pick up the basics with very little instruction. It was built for rapid deployment and design of websites and it shows; the language tends to lack utility for making anything else.
Pascal is often seen as a "student's language" because of its simplicity, which has led to a very low number of programs written with it industrially. It is easier to use than most other languages, but handles advanced techniques and concepts poorly. However, a more robust version called Delphi has received a push as language that can be used for industrial-grade programs.
Other languages not mentioned here have their own strengths and weaknesses, along with those that were designed for very specific purposes. Python, for example, is a fairly popular language that has gained traction in the gaming industry, while RGSS is intrinsically tied with the RPG Maker series. Since each language has its own capabilities, choosing one properly can make a project easier or harder.
However, some have pointed out that it isn't how clean the code is that now hallmarks the expert from the amateur - code has a tendency to get cluttered regardless. It seems one of the major difference makers these days lies in knowing which language is best for what purpose.
As programming languages gain flexibility and are developed with compatibility in mind, it can sometimes surprise people to know that many still "specialize" in certain functions or have features that others don't have. This can usually be traced back to their origins and the decisions made while these languages were initially designed. While software development companies might have little practical use for a programming history lesson, knowing what one language was meant to do can help in deciding whether or not to use it for a project.
Java was a language meant for networking applications and will see a lot of focus as one of the "cores" of the upcoming Windows build. For most consumers, this is the language powering various little applications on the Internet, as well as the heart of a number of cross-platform programs from a variety of developers. The syntax is familiar to anyone who has dabbled in C and has a similarly high degree of allowed reuse of code, though has problems with efficiency. While its speed has improved over time, many developers still find that Java is problematic to code for and lacks the efficiency of other languages available.
C and C are two of the most popular languages, with the former having a particularly strong grasp on game programming. Programmers often find C-based programs run faster, while C is typically more efficient to code, with a structure that allows for a lot of code to be reused. There has been some debate between whether or not the repeatability of C makes up for how difficult it can be to code for it, and whether there are any subtle advantages offered that outweigh the superior performance of C. It should also be noted that C has the option to be coded in C style if necessary.
In contrast to most other languages, Fortran is most preferred by scientists and researchers, as well as anyone else that needs very precise values in their calculations. This is because it allows for a large number of high-value variables to be included, limited only by the memory of the machine. This makes it highly-prized among engineers, who require detailed precision in their number-crunching and mathematical models. However, for other applications, many programmers find it lacking. It lacks flexibility and the code itself must be written within a certain structure that increases the difficulty.
PHP is primarily used for website design, but unlike Java, was never meant to see use in other areas. It is simplistic and designed to appeal to even amateurs, who are known to pick up the basics with very little instruction. It was built for rapid deployment and design of websites and it shows; the language tends to lack utility for making anything else.
Pascal is often seen as a "student's language" because of its simplicity, which has led to a very low number of programs written with it industrially. It is easier to use than most other languages, but handles advanced techniques and concepts poorly. However, a more robust version called Delphi has received a push as language that can be used for industrial-grade programs.
Other languages not mentioned here have their own strengths and weaknesses, along with those that were designed for very specific purposes. Python, for example, is a fairly popular language that has gained traction in the gaming industry, while RGSS is intrinsically tied with the RPG Maker series. Since each language has its own capabilities, choosing one properly can make a project easier or harder.
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