Why so many languages? What if. . .

[hostbreak]

Dear folks I was wondering why there are so many languages for programming and scripting?
What I mean to say is that there are too many languages for such purposes these days and one person is not able to understand all of them.
Instead why don’t we humans have less number of languages which are more powerful?

And why they’ll become more powerful?
Well obviously when there are fewer languages there are more people related to each and when there are more people related to each one they’ll work more on them, thus making them more powerful.

Take a look at this list I mean its huge and still not all of them
HTML, XHTML, Java, C (Sharp), ASP, ASP.NET, Cold Fusion, PHP,JSP, Perl, WML, XML, Python, C, C++, Cool, TCL, XSL, REXX, Ruby, Rails, SVG
I have gathered this list from different sources.

 

[i386]

C, CSharp, and C++ are not the same.

There are varieties in everything.

 

[primacomputer]

The reasons we have so many languages is a combination of using the right tool for the right job and evolution of those tools.

Example 1: perl, python, and PHP are very similar. Perl's oneness with regular expressions makes it a great language for processing data. Python is newer, easier to learn, and in ways an improvement on perl. PHP, like python, is easier to learn, but is geared largely towards websites. It also offers a lot of compiled modules that run faster than their perl counterparts.

Example 2: Someone creates algol, which works fine for a while. Then they need something better so you get pascal. Then Modula 2, then ADA, etc. So you end up with a multitude of languages, but they are largely just improvements on their predecessors. Still each has their advantages and some people still use the old ones.

Having only a few languages makes about as much sense as saying there will only be one type of motor cycle, one type of car, and one type of truck.

 

[hostbreak]

The reasons we have so many languages is a combination of using the right tool for the right job and evolution of those tools.

Example 1: perl, python, and PHP are very similar. Perl's oneness with regular expressions makes it a great language for processing data. Python is newer, easier to learn, and in ways an improvement on perl. PHP, like python, is easier to learn, but is geared largely towards websites. It also offers a lot of compiled modules that run faster than their perl counterparts.

Example 2: Someone creates algol, which works fine for a while. Then they need something better so you get pascal. Then Modula 2, then ADA, etc. So you end up with a multitude of languages, but they are largely just improvements on their predecessors. Still each has their advantages and some people still use the old ones.

Having only a few languages makes about as much sense as saying there will only be one type of motor cycle, one type of car, and one type of truck.

To do different jobs different tools are required? Sounds good for experts, But not good for beginners.

 

[armstrong]

There are languages suited for beginners. Besides, a lot of the newer languages are designed to be used by different levels of users, so simple tasks can be accomplisghed by beginners, and complex ones require experts.

 

[barefoottech]

I COMPLETELY agree with that That's really smart! Java was created to make the a PERFECT version of C++... people got fed up with it and went on to make one that's 10x better, but, people still use C++!

Java 10x Better than C++, In your Dreams
Java is /was only ever intended to be a Stripped Down C++ for interpretive Programming. It can never Hope to be anything more than a simple scripting Language on Steriods.
C++,Objective C, C# and similiar "C" Derived object Oriented Languages leave Java struggling to keep up.
The reason there is many Languages is because no one language can do everthing easily , and there will always be new and improved efforts to develop the perfect language.

 

[primacomputer]

To do different jobs different tools are required? Sounds good for experts, But not good for beginners.

It's actually not that bad. There are tools for beginners. Interpreted languages with friendly IDEs that allow a beginner to develop applications without much study. Once you have a solid base in a few of these moving to the more complicated ones is much easier.

I'm very thankful there are different tools for different jobs that require years of experience to learn. I would hate to have to rely on an amateur mechanic to remove a brain tumour with a crowbar

 

[Zubair1]

well, I think there are only two simply reason one,

different languages have different purposes
and second companies want to make money $$$$