When I first looked at the question, I decided to first write down my initial thoughts. I believed that depending on what the needed result is for a project, different programming languages would be more useful than others. So yes, in a way, the choice of programming language does matter depending on which language will output the best results when using it. However, I do understand people will have preferences in programming languages, and if someone knows how to use a language efficiently and effectively, then they should use the language they are most comfortable working with. Programming languages will get updated though, as seen through languages such as C++ get updates. So it’s hard for me to say with the large amount of languages to choose from what is exactly missing from the current set of tools. It may be easier to one day have one programming language that somehow does it all, but I find the diversity of languages to be helpful because people think in different ways when programming. One for of syntax for a programming language may fit someone’s thought process more than others. I think the future will have possibly less programming languages, but a diverse enough amount that people will have a choice. Also, I feel people will still be implementing and crafting their own programming languages, especially if the hipster mode of thought persists into the future.
Now, upon reading Paul Graham’s essays and taking more time to think about the role and choices when it comes to programming languages, I find that not much has changed for me in my views. I do feel my initial thoughts were very matter-of-fact, but now I feel I can explain my reasoning in a bit more detail. First by analyzing the statement: “programming languages are not just technology, but what programmers think in.” I find this statement about programming languages to be true, especially since programmers need a language to output what they are thinking. There was a point in one of Graham’s essays where he tells the story of the point-haired boss versus the non-mainstream programming languages. The story is intended to clarify on the point that just because something is popular, doesn’t make it good. The story for me gave a definite “stick it to the man” vibes, but I understand the point he’s getting across. He goes on to also explain even the benefits of using a non-mainstream language against other company competitors. Graham also makes fun of Java, even though he says it’s not his intention. I’ve just recently discovered how Java is sort of the butt-of-all-jokes in computer languages among hackers, and I can see how it’s pretty easy to mock. Seeing how Java is made fun of, I started really questioning if there are programming languages that are stronger and better than others. As much as I want to stand by my view that a language’s strengths depends on what the coding project is, I can see there are languages that have more flexibility and better syntax to others. However, I still feel that the better programming language is all subjective still.
When looking back on the programming languages I’ve used, I suppose I have hit the level of true hacker, seeing as my coding has been with mainstream languages, such as C++, C, C#, Javascript, and Python. For me, I’m used to these languages and have a personal bias towards C# because it’s used with the Unity engine for video games. For project 2, it will honestly be the first time I’m using a programming language that’s not considered mainstream. We plan to use Swift, which now I still feel bad for using because it’s connected to macOS, which is already a system that is viewed as mainstream and that real programmers don’t use MAC. Still, I feel like after the project I will go back to using the languages I already use. C# fits to me needs to want to better understand Unity and coding video games, so it just makes sense for me to use it. Plus, I do feel that using less mainstream languages is for a more experienced coder. I don’t feel ready or comfortable enough to switch to a new programming language. However, I want to still be open-minded, and not dismiss Swift or other non-mainstream languages. I will try more often non-mainstream languages, and if I find that I do prefer one of them, I will happily find a new replacement for my current favorite programming language.
Hackers in the Bazaar 