Best High Level Language?

11 years ago

I have been struggling with this question a bit myself, although I have a lot of experience in the field. I started in 1983 learning languages that were then fairly modern. I learned assembly, C, Pascal, FORTRAN, and others. Since graduating in 1985, I have picked up C++, PHP, Python, SQL, and more. My contract work today is in a "Fourth Generation Language", PowerHouse which is essentially obsolete. Nothing approaches Powerhouse for productivity, in my experience.
That said, the most important new languages, for me are PHP, Javascript, and also SQL, which is 'ancient'. SQL is the odd one here while the other two are similar enough to C that they can be though of as a group, for learning purposes.
PHP is the language used by WordPress. That platform is extremely important due to its popularity. With some PHP knowledge, you can build plugins to improve your site's functionality. You may even have a market for your plugin.
SQL is a different type of language but it is practically vital to understand. Anyone could learn the basics in a day.
"Select Name,address,phone from Customer_table where status="ACTIVE" order by Name". This does what you think it would, but it's not pretty:
Bill box 100 555-1212
Carol 123 Main St 555-1291
Zeb 400 Elm 555-2912

My take on object oriented, "OO", programming is that you should know a lot about programming before you bother with it. My favorite quote about OO is that "we use it because we have it". It can make programming more efficient by saving typing time, but it can be avoided through the use of structured design. That is the concept where you build a library of functions that perform standardized work for you. We used to do this all the time with C and other languages. We still do it with PHP and other OO languages, even when objects are used. I think that OO makes some aspects of maintenance programming harder because you need to track down issues differently. I would be willing to be entertain comments on this.
To me, the best language to use now is one that fits your need. If you are working with WordPress, then PHP could be important. Add in Javascript, and even HTML, to round out your skills here.
Almost the entire technical world runs on SQL now. Even many programmers don't know it. It's great to know the basics, and more, so that you understand how things are working. If you have to code business systems using old legacy languages, (like I do), then SQL is vital, (and well paying).
I like the idea of a modern language comparison matrix. I should write one and see what comments come in from others.

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doug111 11 years ago

Yes, SQL is very easy to learn, as least the basic commands of it. I was a COBOL mainframe and miniframe programmer in the 80s and early 90s. Switched over to Oracle PL/SQL in 1996 and have been using Oracle products ever since. Oracle is not very easy to learn in general, but the basic commands of universal SQL nearly anyone can pick up and use in a few days time.
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Chrisrocs

11 years ago

I don't have a tremendous amount of experience in programming, but if you're looking for an OO language to learn that's pretty flexible, you could check out Python or Ruby. Personally I've almost exclusively used Python since learning programming, and it's a very sleek, powerful language. Very popular as well! It all depends on your primary intentions with programming and what you're using the language for obviously.

As javrsmith said, PHP is pretty much the web development, market "standard" for web development (unfortunately, in my opinion) due to wordpress. If that's something that concerns you.

I like the idea of a modern language comparison matrix. I should write one and see what comments come in from others.

This would be really cool, and I could learn a lot from it too.

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TheCrazyCoder

11 years ago

Even with C you can write CMS.

It look like you don't have enough experience - languages and IDEs are just tools. Different tasks require different tools, it is just not time effective to write CMS on C. Support will be way to costly.

First you have to define for yourself which kind of applications you want to write. C# isn't effective for server side apps, because there are no enough libs and "tune-up" tools for this task.

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gamefan

11 years ago

Originally Posted by ActionToCash

It seems there are so many languages. I wish there was some type of comparison grid that showed all of the languages, types, and what their advantages and disadvantages were. Anyone aware of such an infographic?

From what I can tell C# holds the most flexibility to design mobile apps, non-mobile programs, programs that are web based, programs that are not web based, and has the ability to work with sophisticated graphics if desired (i.e. games etc), but also good at non-graphic applications. Microsoft language products can get expensive but sounds like they do just about everything a person would need to have designed?

To me I don't know why anyone would want to learn or use multiple different programming language when you can learn one that does everything? It seems that it would be better to become a master at one or two difficult languages instead of learning all kinds of them. I understand that there are some platforms that already exist, or certain products by specific manufacturers which require a certain proprietary language, or for specific types of interfacing etc, but for software development which ones are best?

To me it sounds like object oriented languages would be the way to go? What are the best high level languages and why?

-Confused...

It depends on what you need. There are 3 major languages in terms of web programming.

1. High end: Java and Oracle database (For big companies)
2. Middle end: C#/ASP.NET and SQL Server. (For middle or small companies)
3. Low end: PHP and MySQL. (For small companies or personal websites.)

If you do mobile programming, that's anothe story...

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TheCrazyCoder

11 years ago

Best comparison are "TOP used" lists.

Go to sourceforge or github and check which is most used language. Then learn 1 or 2 of them, that will cover most of your tasks.

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ActionToCash 11 years ago

Thank you for your responses everyone!

I've been away for a few days, and quite frankly, was surprised to see 5 responses since I didn't think anyone would reply after not seeing any responses after checking on the forum a few times with no responses.

Your feedback has been very appreciated. I found the previous response interesting about the high, medium, and low level languages and the type of applications they would be best suited for (i.e. small biz, medium biz, and large company etc).

Great information.

Kind regards!
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Slade556

11 years ago

From my experience and from what others have told me (programmers), the best thing to do is to learn the basics. Which means learning C#, or something similar but from the C family. It's not mandatory, but many say that helped them a lot, in terms of understanding how programming works.
And, after that, you can go ahead and learn the programming language you need, depending on what you will use your knowledge for.
For instance, say you're looking to get hired by a company, you would need to know which position you need to apply to. Gamefan summed it up just about right, each programming language is good for something, but learning just one that does everything is probably not possible.

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ActionToCash 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Slade556

Gamefan summed it up just about right, each programming language is good for something, but learning just one that does everything is probably not possible.

Yeah - I appreciate the insight. This thread has helped me to think through and understand it better. It's just like iOS vs Android - two completely different platforms that do the same or very similar things. Of course we all know there are always companies that want to make everything their proprietary platforms and languages as well etc. Don't forget companies using legacy equipment, or who's software architect is married to a particular language of days past as well.

Anyway, code on! :-)
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javrsmith

11 years ago

I like the free languages justbasic.com and Quincy C/C++ at Quincy: Simple free C/C++ programming IDE for Windows

These are simple freeware development languages that you can use for anything, but they're great for learning. Justbasic may be a little easier but basic is a little strange compared to C/C++/PHP, etc.

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rts2271 11 years ago

If I was going to start over, I would start with C.
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- javrsmith 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by rts2271
  
  If I was going to start over, I would start with C.
  
  What did you start with?
  
  I started with BASIC then Pascal, then assembly, then C. I loved C, especially on UNIX. I still think in C, if you know what I mean.
  
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  rts2271 11 years ago
  
  I started with BASIC -> PASCAL -> FORTRAN -> COBOL -> JCL -> PERL -> PHP
  
  That's essentially Fortran up to High School then got into COBOL / DB2 / JCL in College when big iron was still the name of the game. Perl in around 96 and starting to build hybridized apps and finally PHP in 2002. I have also picked up C / C++ since then.
  
  I say this from a systems view that not enough PHP developers have a clue about why their program works in relation to the hardware they are working with. As such most PHP apps are horrible and their MySQL implementations are even worse, if that's possible.
  
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  Mercenary development and deployment.
  
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  rts2271 11 years ago
  
  I forgot about BAL V and MASM in the COBOL / JCL college period. I think I have PTSD from them.
  
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SandraSchmidt12

11 years ago

high level language is a programming language with strong abstraction from computer.
1. C:It is the mostly used for developing low level applications as it is consider nearest to the hardware.
2. C++:C++ language was develope in 1983 which is often consider as the object oriented version of the C language.
3. Java: This language support lots of features and capabilities of C and C++. The additional thing in java is that it is pure object oriented language.
4.C#:C# belong to the microsoft family programming language. It combine the robustness of c++ and advance feature of Java.
5.Php: It is most widely used programming language for developing dynamic website.
6.javascript: Javascript is a server side language for developing complex web application.

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kaufenpreis Banned 11 years ago

I wouldn't have said that C++ was low level. Java is certainly portable and a much cleaner language than C++. PHP is great for quick hacky stuff
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yasar

11 years ago

App development language
PHP
node.js
Java

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artemis360

11 years ago

It all depends on what you want to develop. For UNIX, C helped a lot - for the Internet, PHP, HTML, JavaScript, MySQL is perfect. for Windows apps Visual Basic (don't give me crap) is the easiest.

I learned a lot of programming languages in college and do not use all of them today. I think it's good to be exposed to all of the other programming languages.

So to break it down, it all depends on what you want to do. Yes, it's nice to master one. But learning the other languages doesn't mean you can't master those as well. As you will discover, one language compliments the other.

Hope this helps,

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seven4

11 years ago

I think there is no BEST language. There are languages suitable for your needs, or languages that suit you, as a programmer.

Chose one language that suits you and your needs and go with it.
Like, PHP, Ruby, Python, they're used in web development, java is used in android development etc etc