It’s not unexpected that certain programming languages gain more popularity while others fade into obscurity in a field with over 700 known languages.
It’s common knowledge that C, Java, Python, and JavaScript have been used to develop countless applications and have become widely recognized industry standards after standing the test of time.
It’s clear why these languages have reached success; they benefit from institutional support through a company or foundation, as well as a large and active community that consistently generates new resources like textbooks and audiobooks. Most importantly, they are efficient in accomplishing their intended function.
What about the other 680 languages utilized for computer programming? Have all their users been acknowledged and assumed to be inactive? Is their significance fated to dwindle with time? The answer is negative.
It’s Not Solely About Quality
The programmers who use a language determine its future. Its size isn’t a deciding factor, but rather, its supporters’ commitment is. For a language to persevere through the years, even if it’s only used by a small yet devoted group, that community must be deeply dedicated.
While R is a powerful mathematical language, its complexity may hinder those who are unfamiliar with how it operates. When compared to other industry leaders like MatLab, it may be viewed as burdensome and time-intensive to utilize.
The thriving community of R is what makes it a fantastic language. It consists of academics from a range of fields, including mathematics, biology, and psychology, who have all aided in developing its vast library.
It’s evident that the libraries include some of the most sophisticated approaches, despite their limitations. For instance, the psych library is unparalleled when it comes to the quality of psychometric instruments it provides. Furthermore, it incorporates other widely-used languages like Python, which serve a comparable function.
PHP is widely regarded as a sophisticated system that commands praise from its dedicated user group. As one of the more distinctive programming languages, it has retained its popularity due to two main factors.
We had limited options for backend technology when PHP initially gained popularity, so everyone adopted the simplest solution available.
Subsequently, other web development platforms like NodeJS and various Python frameworks such as Django and Flask have emerged. Nevertheless, PHP continues to be the most broadly employed for backend programming. What accounts for this?
Data demonstrates that 79% of websites are constructed utilizing PHP, thereby making it a fundamental aspect of the internet’s architecture. Despite some developers’ disapproval of the language, its endurance has demonstrated its dependability, and as a result, it’s advisable not to switch the backend to another system.
Secondly, we take into account the local population. Examining the PHP repository can offer us an idea of the number of individuals who are dedicated to the language and are actively participating in its development. Instead of working with a novel language that requires self-education, working with an established language that has an enthusiastic, cooperative, and interactive community makes for a more agreeable experience for a developer.
Creating a Niche for Oneself
Other programming languages have persisted due to the specific demands they meet in the market or the innovative solutions they provide. Objective-C and Swift provide an appropriate example of this.
Both Swift and Objective-C have attained widespread adoption and backing from Apple, making them ideal for creating apps and other items within the iOS ecosystem. Despite neither being frequently utilized beyond this, this is not a significant concern given Apple’s robust presence in the mobile industry.
Clojure, a functional programming language for the Java platform, is a noteworthy example. Considering that Java is often acknowledged as a prosperous object-oriented programming language, it may seem peculiar that the programming community requires a functional language. Nonetheless, skilled programmers exhibit a strong allegiance towards Clojure.
Certain programming languages achieve success owing to their capability to accomplish a task that no other language can fulfill, rather than due to their widespread usage or easy comprehensibility.
When evaluating against other scripting languages, LUA may not provide the equivalent speed or functionalities, but it does possess a distinctive benefit in terms of user-friendliness and ease of operation. This renders it a suitable option for rapidly generating scripts without requiring an extensive time investment.
This instance exemplifies that a programming language need not be versatile to be prosperous; it just needs to execute its specific objective efficiently.
Can a Programming Language Cease to Exist?
In the IT industry, it is frequently presumed that specific less-used languages are no longer employed because of their lack of widespread renown. Nevertheless, this is not always true. As long as there exist individuals who possess expertise in the language and computers that are capable of running it, it is still active and functional.
Apple has made substantial endeavours to urge developers to embrace Swift, but there remain multitudes of proficient Objective-C programmers who opt to utilize this language. The time and resources dedicated to Objective-C are not squandered.
Despite COBOL yielding millions of lines of code each year, if one were to ask 99% of software engineers where to start, very few would even consider employing COBOL.
COBOL, which originated in the 1960s, is still employed for numerous vital systems worldwide. It is especially prevalent among financial institutions, so if you have recently utilised a credit or debit card, you can acknowledge COBOL for making it feasible.
Despite the popularity that Ruby on Rails brought to the language, the accelerated expansion of the web development industry in recent years has resulted in a decline in Ruby’s impact.
What Does This Imply for You Personally?
When commencing any novel project, it may be alluring to adopt a familiar approach. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that the most prevalent language may not inevitably be the ideal alternative for your particular assignment.
Veteran programmers frequently evade the most conventional languages since they have built their careers around them, but experience obstructed by their restraints and biases. This is why they turn to alternative, yet equally potent, programming languages.
We have accomplished tremendous triumphs with C++, and the language itself will always be an unwavering component of our development toolkit. Nevertheless, we should make use of the chance to investigate Rust since it has the potential to uncover concealed treasures amidst its intricate and enigmatic attributes.
