C#: Managed Language
C# is a modern, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft, first released in 2000 as part of its .NET initiative. It is one of several Microsoft languages (Visual Basic.net, F#.Net) running on the .Net platform. Known for its robustness and ease of use, C# is widely used for developing Windows applications, web services, and games (using Unity). It offers a good balance between performance and ease of development, with strong support for concurrent programming. C# is praised for its clear syntax, powerful development tools (like Visual Studio), and extensive .NET libraries. However, it is primarily tied to the Microsoft ecosystem, which may limit its use on non-Windows platforms. For developing applications within the Microsoft stack or game development with Unity, C# is an excellent choice.
C++ : Machine Code, Very popular
C++ is a high-performance programming language known for its use in system/software development, game development, and applications requiring real-time processing. Developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979, C++ extends the C language with object-oriented features, offering a combination of low-level control and high-level abstractions. It is widely used in industries where performance is critical, such as gaming, finance, and telecommunications. C++ provides fine-grained control over system resources, making it ideal for resource-intensive applications. However, its complexity and steep learning curve can be challenging for beginners. For projects demanding high performance and direct hardware manipulation, C++ is a powerful tool. It is nearly identical to Delphi in structure, speed of execution and capability but unlike Delphi is very popular despite an unfair reputation of being a diƯicult language to learn. A key diƯerence is that C++ allows for multiple inheritance for its objects while Delphi does not. It is an open question whether that is and advantage or a source of errors!
Delphi: [c] Language, Easy to read and write. Once on top but now not very popular
Delphi is an integrated development environment (IDE) and programming language for rapid application development, particularly suited for high-performance Windows applications where database support is key. Borland introduced it in 1984 under the name of Turb Pascal and it has been constantly updated, It is unique in that old code from the 1980s can still be compiled and run under current versions. Delphi uses the object-oriented Object Pascal language and is known for its fast compilation, powerful database connectivity, and ease of use. Delphi enables the creation of high-performance, native applications with a visual design interface, making it popular for desktop, mobile, and enterprise software. However, its niche user base and less frequent updates compared to more modern languages may limit its appeal. That being said, if you have an existing codebase in Delphi or Object Pascal, continuing development in Delphi can save significant time and effort. For rapid development of high-performance, native Windows applications, Delphi is a robust and efficient choice.
Java: Managed Language
Java is a versatile and widely used programming language, especially popular in enterprise environments and Android app development. Created by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995, Java was designed to be platform-independent, allowing developers to write code once and run it anywhere with the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It remains a top choice for largescale applications due to its robustness, security features, and extensive libraries. Java's long-term viability is strong, supported by a vast community and extensive use in industry and academia. While it excels in performance and scalability, Java can be verbose and may not be the best choice for rapid prototyping or lightweight scripting tasks. For high-performance needs and complex enterprise solutions, Java is a reliable choice.
JavaScript: Interpreted language
JavaScript is the essential language for web development, enabling dynamic and interactive user interfaces. Created by Brendan Eich in 1995, JavaScript runs in the browser and on servers (via Node.js), making it a versatile choice for full-stack development. Its frameworks and libraries, such as React, Angular, and Vue.js, streamline the development of complex web applications. JavaScript's popularity is driven by its flexibility, large ecosystem, and vibrant community. However, its asynchronous nature and quirks can pose challenges for developers. For building interactive web applications and full-stack development, JavaScript is indispensable.
PHP: Interpreted language
PHP is a widely used open-source scripting language especially suited for web development and embedded in HTML. Created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994, PHP has evolved to power millions of websites, including major platforms like WordPress and Facebook. It is known for its ease of use, flexibility, and integration with various databases. PHP is ideal for building dynamic web pages and server-side applications, oƯering a vast array of frameworks like Laravel and Symfony. While PHP is extremely popular for web development, it may not be the best choice for non-web applications or projects requiring high performance. For server-side web development and CMS applications, PHP remains a strong and accessible choice.
Python: Interpreted language, Open source, Extremely Popular
Python is widely used in web development, data science, AI, machine learning, and automation. Its simplicity and readability make it great for both beginners and experts. Created by Guido van Rossum, Python first came out in 1991 and is designed to be easy to read and write. Python remains very popular due to its versatility and ease of learning, especially in cutting-edge tech fields like AI and machine learning. It frequently tops popularity charts thanks to its extensive use, the fact that it is open-source with strong community support, and also works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Python's long-term viability is strong, with widespread adoption in academia, industry, and emerging tech fields like AI and data science. Millions of developers use Python globally, and it's one of the most taught languages in computer science programs. However, as an interpreted language, it has slower execution speed compared to some compiled languages such as C++ and is not ideal for mobile development. For web development, data science, and automation, Python is an excellent choice, though for performance-critical applications, other languages like C++ might be more appropriate.
Visual Basic (VB): Managed Language
Visual Basic (VB) is one of the many offspring of the Basic Language introduced in 1964 and upgraded and changed over the years. It was developed with beginners in mind and is an acronym for "Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code". The migration in the 1990s to Web programming proved to be difficult. "The same functionality could take 1 day for a Delphi developer and 1 week for a web developer - insane!"1 So was born the RAD languages to enable easy visual development of web applications. Basic had a reputation of being an easy language and it even hinted at in its acronym: "Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code". 2 Hence it was a perfect choice for creating a RAD language to help programmers with the advent of web programming.
It is an event-driven programming language from Microsoft, first released in 1991. Known for its simplicity and ease of use, VB is primarily used for developing Windows-based applications and automating tasks within Microsoft Office. It features a straightforward syntax and a drag-and-drop GUI designer, making it accessible for beginners and non-programmers. VB remains popular for internal business applications and prototyping but is less favored for modern web and mobile development. Its integration with the .NET framework as VB.Net enhances its capabilities, though its usage has declined with the rise of more versatile languages. For developing quick, desktopbased applications or automating OƯice tasks, Visual Basic is still a practical option.