Programmers: What is your favourite programming language, and why?
What is your favourite language? Your choice can be based on usefulness, fun, ease, or any other criteria, given you explain why.
I think my *current* favourite is C#. I'm sure that'll change one day. I used to love Java, but since I started using C#, I've found how silly some of the features of Java are. C# is not only easy and intuitive, but it's fun, and has a LOT of useful features; for example: working with dates is a breeze.
So what is YOUR favourite language?
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M$5 Answers
The BEST language... is the one that works best for you. The one that easiest for you to get the job done.
I've always espoused that it really doesn't matter what language you use as long as you have a foundation in logical (programatic) thinking. The rest is just flipping bits...
My favorite language overall is 6502 assembly. It was my first, real deep programming experience (talking about flipping bits).
My current favorite MODERN language would probably be Objective C. I love seeing my stuff on my iPhone in a relatively easy way.
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M$
- untyped, no extra brackets, easy to read, concise
- simple namespace management for building large complex apps as easily as simple small ones.
- optional and keyword args
- lists and dictionaries - gotta love split()
- hundreds of useful libs - all in python
But then I'm a lisp programmer originally - and can't stand the idea of allocating my own memory - after all isn't the computer supposed to be better at counting than I am...
(oh yeah and Qt for User Interfaces)
In summary:
downside is C# and java are practically identical and C# includes a UI toolkit (but have to be careful if want Cross platform)
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M$
I would also say Matlab, but some consider it not to be a real programming language because its primarily for mathematics. It's very user friendly and simple. I guess so that the mathematicians can use it!
Will have to check out C# soon tho!
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M$
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M$
"Often people, especially computer engineers, focus on the machines. They think, "By doing this, the machine will run faster. By doing this, the machine will run more effectively. By doing this, the machine will something something something." They are focusing on machines. But in fact we need to focus on humans, on how humans care about doing programming or operating the application of the machines. We are the masters. They are the slaves."
Or, as he also said:
"For me the purpose of life is partly to have joy. Programmers often feel joy when they can concentrate on the creative side of programming, So Ruby is designed to make programmers happy."
It is also that it borrows the best ideas from other programming languages (e.g. true OO, closures) and combines them in a concise, readable way.
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M$
The following from your comments is right on the button. I have programmed and designed for better than 30 years and almost nobody starts from scratch. We have changed languages so much it makes you wonder what the strategy is. Anyway this sentence is right on!
"I've always espoused that it really doesn't matter what language you use as long as you have a foundation in logical (programatic) thinking. The rest is just flipping bits..."
In other words, if I can get from point A to point Z efficiently, then who cares if I use COBOL, ASP.NET, C or even whale songs to get there? That is unless you work for a company that determines the new direction of programming.