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.

  • @[email protected]English
    57•11 months ago

    Some languages have a obligation to support older versions, provide upgrade guides. They have old baggage in the forms of old systems or processes that they can’t just abandon.

    Sometimes it’s easier to just start over from a clean slate. Experimenting and seeing how it works. If it fails well you haven’t inconvenienced millions of users.

    It’s all about experimenting, trying to see what works, what it’s good with and what it’s not good with. A language like Java can’t just change to experiment things. Some people are also fixed to the style and methodology that Java provides.

    Aside from that, hobby languages are just hobbyist stuff.

    • stephencEnglish
      9•11 months ago

      Quite a few languages that are major players now started as hobby languages.

        • @0x0
          English
          4•11 months ago

          I think PHP has a bad rep 'cos it tried to be everything to everyone… if you maintain a certain standard (i.e. always do the same thing the same way) and avoid deviating it’s actually a pretty cool language.