Favourite Programming Language

[fileserverdirect]

I have heard ppl say "ASP ROCKS!" and "PHP IS THE BEST!" even "C# IS THE SHARPEST!*" So what really is the best?

[Twey]

Generally, Python, but it really does depend on the purpose. If I were writing device drivers, I obviously wouldn't (and couldn't) use Python; I'd use C or assembly, preferably assembly. If I were writing a single web page to demonstrate a server-side concept, I'm more likely to use PHP than Python (even though usually I despise PHP) because Python functions best for web development with the aid of a proper, structured framework, which would be overkill for a page like that. Likewise, C++ would generally be my choice for user-level application development, Python again if I needed a bit more flexibility or faster development. I used to use Java a lot, but it's mostly been replaced in my repertoire by Python or C++, which are opposite ends of the spectrum covered by Java. I might still feasibly use Java for some of those projects, though, should the mood take me, and of course it's vital for applets. C# I would probably never use; if I were forced to interact with .NET code I would use IPython, I don't much like the framework and C# reminds me far too much of Java, but is somewhat different, so it confuses me. Javascript (and other ECMAScript variants) are very nice, and what I'd primarily use for client-side effects on a web page; it's also become my "scratch pad" language that I use for testing out simple programming concepts.

It should be noted that:

• ASP and ASP.NET are platforms, not languages: multiple languages can be used with each of them;
• HTML is a markup language, not a programming language;
• Java is not an acronym (I like to call this JINA, because it sounds funny and is slightly ironic);
• Javascript (or JavaScript, as the Netscape/Mozilla variant is technically known) is one word;
• CGI is a standard for interaction between a webserver and a server-side script, not a language, and is not necessarily tied to Perl (which is an acronym, but everyone seems to have forgotten that, so we don't capitalise it).

C# IS THE SHARPEST!

*groan*

[Trinithis]

I only know 2 programming languages, Java and JavaScript, and I like JS more, but not because it is more powerful. I probably like it more because I am more familiar with it. I don't necessarily like doing cliché stuff JS can do, such as form handling and whatnot. However, I do enjoy learning some of the quirky stuff about the language, regarless of its practicalities.

In any case, in a couple of days, my C/C++ class at school starts, and I think that'll be fun.

(Although not a programming language, I love regular expressions.)

[james438]

you don't like PHP Twey? doh You seem so good at it that I would have figured you really liked it. I am really enjoying it. However I have not even heard of Python. I just checked and my hosting service (godaddy) does support python.

I liked HTML, but I hardly use it anymore. I have even used PHP to decrease my need for HTML further. CSS was the biggest replacement for HTML though. I used to style using tables, but then I was introduced to CSS and after a while using tables just didn't make any sense anymore. Someone had said that about CSS once before and I soon discovered that it was true.

As much fun as I am having with PHP at the moment I would have to say that CSS is the winner in my book. It's ability to be so precise and crisp in its visual presentations plus the simplicity of the code along with the ability to get so very complex. It is a quickly evolving language and always for the better (at least to these new eyes). I know that it is very inconsistent across, but whose fault is that really? I am mostly blaming the browsers, not all that much really. The browsers do seem to be adapting and I think they will soon get on the same wavelength (or am I being too optimistic ).

It should be noted that I have only dabbled with HTML, CSS, and PHP at any real depth.

[Twey]

you don't like PHP Twey? doh You seem so good at it that I would have figured you really liked it.

I've had enough experience with it to appreciate its limitations and the various ugly hacks that have been used to accomplish those features that it has, which are myriad

As much fun as I am having with PHP at the moment I would have to say that CSS is the winner in my book. It's ability to be so precise and crisp in its visual presentations plus the simplicity of the code along with the ability to get so very complex. It is a quickly evolving language and always for the better (at least to these new eyes). I know that it is very inconsistent across, but whose fault is that really? I am mostly blaming the browsers, not all that much really. The browsers do seem to be adapting and I think they will soon get on the same wavelength (or am I being too optimistic ).

CSS has been done very poorly. It's not nearly as flexible as it should be, and I don't like the way it's laid out. A better syntax would be one that nested elements rather than using that selector, block, selector, block pattern:

p {
  color: black;

  a {
    color: red;
  }
}

instead of

p {
  color: black;
}

p a {
  color: red;
}

Is the former not so much more logical? As well, something like IE's expression: syntax (but less powerful, so it wouldn't require Javascript; it would be an integral part of CSS). I've always thought Netscape's JSSS had a lot of potential. It's a shame they never got off the ground.

[james438]

You are right, it is more logical that way. I was probably thinking more along the lines of how I used to use HTML for the layout of my site and how CSS just worked out better for me. True, there was more browser trouble than I figured there should be, but I liked it better.

I picked PHP by the way, because I didn't see CSS listed up there and I didn't want to hit the 'other'.