Overview of the programming languages

 

This article should give you an overview of the different programming languages and should show you that the programming languages themselves are not that different. Here the most common programming languages are briefly introduced and explained, these were taken from the so-called TIOBE index, which measures the popularity of programming languages. With which programming language should start now, is not recommended here even if there is a clear favorite. Which that is and why, you read in this article.

 

  

Programming languages

The following programming languages are briefly explained here:

 

  • Javascript
  • Java
  • C und C++
  • C# (C Sharp)
  • Visual Basic
  • PHP
  • Python
  • Scratch
  • Delphi/Object Pascal
  • Swift
  • SQL
  • HTML & CSS 

 
In the explanation, the language is briefly introduced and it is explained what can be programmed with the respective languages.

This should give you a good overview and you will find the right programming language for your implementation.

You will also get a micro insight into how the language actually looks like, so you will quickly notice that most languages are quite similar.

Only a few languages look completely different. The example which is used here is of course not a working program, it is only meant to give you an excerpt for understanding. But it contains all the basic elements that a modern programming language contains, these basic elements would be:

 

  • Functions / methods
  • Variables / objects
  • Commands / instructions
  • Operators
  • Decisions
  • Grind
  • Comment 

 

If you don't understand them, no problem. You will learn them later anyway, no matter what language you start in.

ATTENTION: Don't choose the language because of its appearance! Choose the language that is most useful to you and with which you can gain long experience. With enough experience, switching to another programming language will be very easy.

Probably the best known language for web applications is Javascript. This language can be used not only to program dynamic websites, but also to create real applications and even games.

 

 

Javascript


Probably the best known language for web applications is Javascript. With this language not only dynamic websites can be programmed, but also real applications and even games can be created.

A huge advantage is that Javascript does not need any additional programs, because it can be easily executed in any common internet browser. And there is another strength:

The fact that Javascript can be executed in the browser means that apps can also be programmed for mobile devices. The Javascript program is simply started within a browser that the user cannot see.

So it seems that a normal app is used and this app runs just as well on Android and iOS at the same time. The very best thing is that you save yourself double programming work. So this language is actually the favorite for everyone who wants to create as many different computer programs as possible.

For beginners there is the beginner's course, which shows the beginnings of programming in Javascript. 

 

A javascript function that loads and checks any data  

 

 

Java


This programming language has become established on millions of computers and devices.

Java is platform-independent, which means that it runs just as well on Windows as on Linux or Mac OSX. Android also relies on this programming language. So you can program applications, apps and games with Java.

Java is a very modern programming language and always includes the latest technical concepts from software development. What is unfortunately missing in the mobile area is mostly the support for Apple devices, so that you have to write separate source code for it.

So these languages are best suited for the backend in large web applications. If you are stuck with Javascript, you should definitely look at Java.

 

 

C and C++


C and C++ are the primitive rocks in this collection of programming languages.

Almost all of today's operating systems have their origins in C. Even today, programming is still done in C and C++ and the code still runs in our operating systems. C++ is the extension of C by the object-oriented approaches. In C++ it is therefore possible to use classes and objects.

C and C++ are suitable for hardware-oriented programming, since these languages are translated into machine code. Operating systems, applications and games can be realized with these languages and are very performant. Due to the fact that you have to take care of memory handling and access yourself, it can be a bit complicated for beginners.

Here an example in C (C++ is similar):

 

 

C# (C Sharp)


C# is the consistent further development of C++ by Microsoft. It is very similar in structure to Java, but has little to do with Java. With C# (C-Sharp) you can write applications with the .NET framework and also games for PC and XBox are possible with the XNA framework.

This language is object oriented like Java. The possibilities to use C# programs on other platforms were limited until 2014. Meanwhile there is a platform-independent variant through .NET Core, which makes it possible to use C# programs on several platforms. So you are no longer limited to Windows and you don't have to use special frameworks like mono anymore.

The code snippet in C# looks something like this

 

 

Visual Basic


Often titled as a beginner's language. The first version BASIC was actually intended as an entry level language for beginners. Today, Visual Basic is used as a language for applications in the .NET framework.

But you can also find Visual Basic in the office world. Whenever you need small additional functions for Word, Powerpoint or Outlook etc., you can write small macros with Visual Basic that can do great things for you. In this language it is best supported by the manufacturer (e.g. you can also create Excel files with Javascript).

Visual Basic looks like this:

 

 

PHP


PHP is a language that is used in connection with website programming. The main purpose of PHP is to output a web page and everything that happens in the background on the web server (so called backend).

Here you can influence which part and content of the website is displayed by the PHP program. The PHP program is always started on the web server on which the website is hosted.

Especially popular: Queries on databases to display certain data on a website. In combination with Javascript/HTML/CSS PHP is a very powerful language.

The code looks like this with PHP:

 

 

Python


Python is very popular with beginners and was developed from a hobby project. The name does not refer to the snake species, but to the comedians Monthy Python.

With Python you can write a lot of scripts up to complete web servers. To what extent the programs are executable on different platforms depends on whether there is an executable Python version on the respective device and operating system.

Enclosed is the code snippet for Python:

 

 

Delphi/Object Pascal


Pascal is one of the oldest programming languages and was developed in Switzerland. With the further developments ObjectPascal in connection with Delphi one could write desktop programs for PC and notebooks. Many ideas from ObjectPascal and Delphi were taken over in C#.

Unfortunately there are not so many known libraries for ObjectPascal anymore, so the language is slowly losing importance.

The syntax looks like this:

 

 

Swift


This language has been specially developed by Apple for Apple devices.

And this should be taken literally, because to program Swift you need XCode which is only available for the operating system macOSX.

So if you want to deal exclusively with the Apple platform and already have suitable devices at home, you should take a look at this language.

 

 

Scratch


You just got a fright with the other languages because they are so text-heavy?

Okay, there is at least a little remedy for that as well. Scratch is a language that is purely for learning programming and was developed especially for children and teenagers.

Logically, only relatively small projects can be created with it, but they are very inspiring. Small games, mini movies and even the control of LEGO robots is possible. An example of how to create a game in Scratch can be found in our free Scratch tutorial. The language looks something like this (and here the example program doesn't make sense anymore):

 

 

HTML & CSS


These languages are actually not programming languages, but they are often mentioned together with other programming languages.

These are important if you want to create websites and web applications. With HTML you describe the structure and content of your website and with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) you define how this HTML structure should be displayed.

If you want to start programming websites, the point you have to tackle is HTML and CSS. Logically, you cannot show the example program in HTML/CSS.

 

SQL


SQL is a language with which you can make database queries. With it a database can be created, filled and read out again.

Also this language is often used in connection with websites. For example to display an article in a webshop.

With SQL it is important to learn how a database works and how to use it. Databases are the "performant" alternative to files, but they have some specialities that you have to understand first.

Conclusion to the programming languages
This is only a small overview of programming languages that are still in use today.

Of course there are many more languages. Javascript has a clear advantage, because you can create all kinds of computer programs with one language and you don't need more than one browser.

Scratch is then the variant for children and young people who have not yet had much experience with computers.

What would you create with which programming language?