Why are there so many programming languages? And why are there still being so many made? I would think you would try to perfect what you have instead of making new ones all the time. I understand you need new languages sometimes like quantumcomputing or some newer tech like that. But for pc you would think there would be some kind of universal language. I’m learning java btw. I like programming languages. But was just wondering.

  • glad_cat@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    44·
    1 year ago

    You can’t easily improve a language and stay compatible with the previous versions. C++ does it but they are crazy.

    you would think there would be some kind of universal language

    It does not exist, but anyone is free to try and invent it. It should be low-level like assembly and high-level like BASIC, functional, object-oriented, and have weird stuff like traits, concepts, and alien features from Haskell. It must also have both the pointers/references of C++, and the borrow checker of Rust. And don’t forget to make it as secure as Ada with pre and post conditions. But it must still be easy to use. Also you will have to write a compiler for every operating system ever (mainframe, server, desktop, iOS, Android, every phone, every tablet), and contain a universal GUI that pleases everyone. It’s literally impossible to do right now.

    Last but not least, Java was supposed to be this universal language that you can run everywhere. It failed and it cannot be run everywhere. It also had to be improved a lot, and it’s missing a fuckton of features from every other language.

    • OmnipotentEntity@beehaw.orgEnglish
      14·
      1 year ago

      easily improve … C++

      I assure you that there is absolutely nothing easy about the C++ standardization process, lol.

    • bleph@lemmy.world
      8·
      1 year ago

      Such an abomination could be created. Just imagine all the over engineering that would be required.

      It would run ANYTHING on ANY platform by incorporating every libc and assembler and VM and dynamic interpreter.

      It runs on EVERY platform and thus it can be adequately tested on NO platform.

    • stephenc@waveform.socialEnglish
      8·
      1 year ago

      I’d call it Paradox Lang, or PL for short. It even has features that are contradictory to each other, you just have to declare which mode you want at the top of every file. Can you imagine. :)

      The only feature it doesn’t have is “lightweight and minimal language”.

    • complacent_jerboa@lemmy.world
      51·
      1 year ago

      It should be low-level like assembly and high-level like BASIC, functional, object-oriented, and have weird stuff like traits, concepts, and alien features from Haskell. It must also have both the pointers/references of C++, and the borrow checker of Rust.

      Hang on a minute. Isn’t that literally just Rust CrabLang?