There is so much flame going around the community about this mythical thing called The Best Programming Language. Just google any 2 programming languages with the word ‘versus’ in between of them, and you will be confronted with countless religious battle between intelligent human beings called programmers.
You can just look around. Your programming circle of friends. Your officemates. There is a high percentage that at least one of them is bragging and preaching about a programming language like a cult leader or something. And wait there’s more! Sometimes they are not satisfied and they will bash other languages to make their language look even more beautiful.
“You can do anything with Java dude! All your problems will be solved if you use it!”
“Ruby on Rails is the best bro! PHP is for the prehistoric web developers!”
“C++ is all you need pal! Those Java guys are just those who failed to learn C++.”
And countless craps about their cult.
Actually, these wars are pointless. It is like fighting over which is the best ball between a tennis ball and bowling ball. Tennis ball is the best choice if you are playing tennis (Thank you Captain Obvious). Only stupid one will use a bowling ball during a tennis game and shouts with all his heart, “I love bowling balls! They are the best for tennis games!”
Are you really going to use that bowling ball?Honestly there is no such thing as best programming language. The choice of language merely depends on the problem and constraints that you are currently facing. Don’t write compilers using PHP. And if you want to maintain your sanity please don’t try to write web apps using Assembly. Programming Languages has their own strengths, weaknesses, and purpose. Understand them before making a choice. Don’t just choose a language because it’s your favorite one.
Bruce Lee once said that you should be water my friend.
“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Epic words Bruce Lee.
Sticking to one language is not mastery. It is failure to constantly learn and adapt. Like water, we should be formless and ready to adapt on whatever the problem requires. If the problem needs to be solved within a short time frame, use the language that you are most comfortable with. If you are solving a problem just for fun, try something out of this world like Brainfuck. Adjust bro. Don’t use hammer to solve all your problems.
So if you are one of those guys who worships a programming language like a teenage girl worshiping K-pop bands. STOP THAT sh*t!
(searching for K-pop images…)
Oh my…Did I just say something negative about K-pop bands?! Forget that sh*t! I freaking love K-pop!!
Kidding aside.
Programming is not about mastering one language and using it as your only tool. Be water my friend. Use the right tool for the right problem.
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Or don’t waste your sanity writing anything in Assembly. Kidding :))
Again you’re right. There is no best programming languages. If we did have one, there wouldn’t be any other programming languages. All of them were created for a reason. Almost all of them were built to improve on the previous languages and adapt to modern trends or technologies. Like you said, each has it’s pros and cons.
“Sticking to one language is not mastery. It is failure to constantly learn and adapt.”
It’s true. You shouldn’t stick to one but you should master at least one (IMO). Especially in the case of work or career (at least here in Canada) where specialty (and experience) of a particular language is very much needed.
Maybe try to learn languages or technologies that compliment your mastered/preferred language. Maybe like Javascript as your frontend and use something else for the backend, you get the drift. (If anyone cares to learn JS you can try http://www.codecademy.com/courses I’m about to try to learn JS).
But it’s not really your point, your point is that you shouldn’t be narrow minded or stubborn enough to choose a language when it’s not called for. Choose the one the would best fit/work within the scenario or circumstances.
Just my 2 cents.
Thanks for sharing codeacademy! :)
Yeah. I think we should master at least 1 programming language. But we should not stick to death with it :)
Python is the best! why? because I said so :))
Hey pats,
This may support your claim.
http://www.blog.pythonlibrary.org/2011/12/07/python-voted-best-programming-language-3-years-running/
:)
Exactly :D
Mastery is good, specially when you’re really a “Master” where you can solve everything using only one language. There are lots of general-purpose yet powerful languages out there. But, I got a quote from a friend: Don’t be a master of any programming language, be a master of algorithm. They are all just syntax. Solve any problem by algorithm and convert that algorithm to any language. That’s better. And besides, you’re always be on demand. :)
Another thing is, there is no “best” programming language. They all serve their purpose.
I cannot agree on all the things that you’ve said bro.
Mastery is either bad or good. It depends on your perspective. Just my opinion.
I agree on what your friend said. Be a master of algorithm. Learn to solve problems, not to code. However, I do not fully agree that they are all just syntax. Sometimes, you need to grasp a new concept and even a NEW WAY OF THINKING when migrating from one language to another. If you are a hardcore Haskell Programmer, then you shifted to C++ or Java. You need to adjust your way of thinking. You need to think of Objects not functions. It is not easy changing the way you think. Especially if you are new to that paradigm or concept.
Thank you for the input bro! :)
Thanks for sharing this Karl, i totally agree on you here. Absolute true. Be water my friend.
I have a question that i hope you could answer. If you have the talent in graphic designing would you choose it over programming?
It is not a matter of choosing between the two Kent. Listen to your passion.
I didn’t choose programming to be my career. Programming chooses me.
@GHOST… Hey – I started programming with Machine Code. Assembler is cool!!
In anycase, you use the relevant tool for the job. Nowadays would you use Excel to write a book ? No. You’d use Word (or vi if you’re a masochist), and it’s just the same for programming languages.