- Forum
- General C++ Programming
- Programming Languages are the same in di
Programming Languages are the same in different forms
Okay, so the basic things that enables me cook dinner have remain the same since ancient of days.
The fire (may have now evolved to cooker, oven whatever but still fire)
The saucepan (different designs but still a pan)
The water (may have evolved to tap in kitchen for some but still water)
The only thing that keeps changing in my kitchen are the cook books...
My question is, are the machine/assembly whatever thing underneath all these programming languages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programming_languages)
the same (i.e. zeros and ones) just like the fire, saucepan, water for cooking?
And the only difference is the programming languages (like cookbooks) and what you wish to program or cook?
I am only checking because, albeit I am still a basic programmer trying to juggle the learning of 4 different languages at the same time, i was wondering if this is a good idea or should i perhaps focus and master one language before learning others?
I must admit that in the human world I speak several languages, the commands are the same (jump, go, stop etc..etc) but the pronunciation are
different which I consider hard but 'learnable' at the same time, I didn't have to wait to finish learning one spoken language before another.
However, i noticed that with programming languages it is the same in all e.g. 'Declaration of variables', 'IF' 'FOR' 'WHILE' and 'Functions' etc etc..
So can i assume that the machine underneath the various languages or whatever are the same, but the implementation of the languages differ (like cookbooks, hence the reason why there are different languages)?
So for a novice can i learn four programming languages at the same time? Or should i master one before moving on to another?
Or should I look at it like learning how to drive- example get a full license for a small car before considering driving a truck or something?
Cheers
The fire (may have now evolved to cooker, oven whatever but still fire)
The saucepan (different designs but still a pan)
The water (may have evolved to tap in kitchen for some but still water)
The only thing that keeps changing in my kitchen are the cook books...
My question is, are the machine/assembly whatever thing underneath all these programming languages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programming_languages)
the same (i.e. zeros and ones) just like the fire, saucepan, water for cooking?
And the only difference is the programming languages (like cookbooks) and what you wish to program or cook?
I am only checking because, albeit I am still a basic programmer trying to juggle the learning of 4 different languages at the same time, i was wondering if this is a good idea or should i perhaps focus and master one language before learning others?
I must admit that in the human world I speak several languages, the commands are the same (jump, go, stop etc..etc) but the pronunciation are
different which I consider hard but 'learnable' at the same time, I didn't have to wait to finish learning one spoken language before another.
However, i noticed that with programming languages it is the same in all e.g. 'Declaration of variables', 'IF' 'FOR' 'WHILE' and 'Functions' etc etc..
So can i assume that the machine underneath the various languages or whatever are the same, but the implementation of the languages differ (like cookbooks, hence the reason why there are different languages)?
So for a novice can i learn four programming languages at the same time? Or should i master one before moving on to another?
Or should I look at it like learning how to drive- example get a full license for a small car before considering driving a truck or something?
Cheers
If you think all programming languages are the same, you haven't look far.
What is yourr goal from learning to program?
If you spend time learning 4 different languages, your are learning different languages instead of leaening the basics
and remember, computers in not all about programming!
What is yourr goal from learning to program?
If you spend time learning 4 different languages, your are learning different languages instead of leaening the basics
and remember, computers in not all about programming!
->hooshdar3
Can you elaborate further please? i.e. what do you mean i haven't look far please site some examples where ones and zeros are not in the core of the language please?
With regards to my goal, like everyone here, to develop software (albeit I understand some are network engineers also) .
What do you mean i am learning different languages instead of the basics?
How can one learn something without starting from the basics anyway- I don't suppose I can learn calculus without starting from basic algebra?
What else are computers for, i would have thought either to do task or perhaps communication/data transfer (well it is called computer i mean easily to deduce from the name 'computer'?)
I feel like you are telling me cookers are not all about cooking?
If you can elaborate further and give some definite examples that will help...Ta!
Can you elaborate further please? i.e. what do you mean i haven't look far please site some examples where ones and zeros are not in the core of the language please?
With regards to my goal, like everyone here, to develop software (albeit I understand some are network engineers also) .
What do you mean i am learning different languages instead of the basics?
How can one learn something without starting from the basics anyway- I don't suppose I can learn calculus without starting from basic algebra?
What else are computers for, i would have thought either to do task or perhaps communication/data transfer (well it is called computer i mean easily to deduce from the name 'computer'?)
I feel like you are telling me cookers are not all about cooking?
If you can elaborate further and give some definite examples that will help...Ta!
Kart,
There are different languages out there:functional, imperative, etc
If you want to develop software, you should decide which software you want to create(choose your 'domain').
Some language are good for one purpose and suck at others.C, C++, etc are 'general purpose' languages, while there are other domain-specific languages,Like PL/I, SQL, php, ASP.net, etc.Some are unable to do what others perform.Some are 'interpreter', some are 'compiler'.There are many differences.There are fist generation languages, like machine language, or there are 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc generation.
computers are basically for doing tasks.Right.But learning basics is not trivial.It takes some years to master.I have spent 11 years in this field and yet I have doubts.So don't waste time with learning the semantics of different languages.
There are different languages out there:functional, imperative, etc
If you want to develop software, you should decide which software you want to create(choose your 'domain').
Some language are good for one purpose and suck at others.C, C++, etc are 'general purpose' languages, while there are other domain-specific languages,Like PL/I, SQL, php, ASP.net, etc.Some are unable to do what others perform.Some are 'interpreter', some are 'compiler'.There are many differences.There are fist generation languages, like machine language, or there are 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc generation.
computers are basically for doing tasks.Right.But learning basics is not trivial.It takes some years to master.I have spent 11 years in this field and yet I have doubts.So don't waste time with learning the semantics of different languages.
In programming as in the life the more languages you know the better.:)
But studing a language requires concentration.
In my opinion it is required from a half of year to a whole year to get basic knowledge of programming language.
Let consider for example C#. If you take an arbitrary book on C# then it has usually 600 - 1500 pages. If you will read about 20 pages a day then it takes from 30 to 70 days to read the book. But i think one book is not enough. you should read at least 4 books to have basic knowledge on C#. So it takes no less then a half of year.:)
My advice is to learn one language each one or two years.
But studing a language requires concentration.
In my opinion it is required from a half of year to a whole year to get basic knowledge of programming language.
Let consider for example C#. If you take an arbitrary book on C# then it has usually 600 - 1500 pages. If you will read about 20 pages a day then it takes from 30 to 70 days to read the book. But i think one book is not enough. you should read at least 4 books to have basic knowledge on C#. So it takes no less then a half of year.:)
My advice is to learn one language each one or two years.
Kart,
At some level, all computer languages boil down to a series of 1's and 0's. But that is an extremely narrow view of the question you are asking.
hooshdar mentioned compiled languages and interpreted languages. Compiled languages take the human-readable instructions and convert them into a series of 1's and 0's that represent machine instructions. In theory,programs in 2 different languages could be compiled down into the exact same machine instructions.
Interpreted languages, however, are different. A separate interpreter program (which is itself a series of machine instructions) reads the human-readable instructions, converts them into machine instructions, and executes them. So, the machine instructions from an interpreted program will not be the same as those from a compiled program.
Why are there multiple compiled languages when they all compile down to similar machine codes? How many saws does a cabinet maker need? He could probably do all of his sawing with a handheld crosscut saw. But it would be difficult to rip wood, so he might need a handhelp rip saw, too. But it's easier to power the saw, so a table saw with a combination blade would be nice. And maybe specific rip and crosscut blades for the table saw for more accurate cutting. Not to mention band saws, back saws, coping saws, flush cutting saws. (and no, I'm not a woodworker).
Different saws are needed by the cabinet maker even though the task they all perform is cutting wood. They all do the same thing, but differently. They might have niche uses, or be general purpose. Some handle large projects well, and some are easy to set up for small projects, but are not efficient for large ones.
Computer programming languages are the same way. They are tools to perform jobs.
I agree that you should start with a single language. Different languages have different syntax and idioms. Learning one language is hard enough without trying to remember which style/syntax you can and cannot use in your program. Once you are comfortable with one language, learning a second one is easier, and you won't be as prone to messing up the first language with new constructs from the second.
At some level, all computer languages boil down to a series of 1's and 0's. But that is an extremely narrow view of the question you are asking.
hooshdar mentioned compiled languages and interpreted languages. Compiled languages take the human-readable instructions and convert them into a series of 1's and 0's that represent machine instructions. In theory,programs in 2 different languages could be compiled down into the exact same machine instructions.
Interpreted languages, however, are different. A separate interpreter program (which is itself a series of machine instructions) reads the human-readable instructions, converts them into machine instructions, and executes them. So, the machine instructions from an interpreted program will not be the same as those from a compiled program.
Why are there multiple compiled languages when they all compile down to similar machine codes? How many saws does a cabinet maker need? He could probably do all of his sawing with a handheld crosscut saw. But it would be difficult to rip wood, so he might need a handhelp rip saw, too. But it's easier to power the saw, so a table saw with a combination blade would be nice. And maybe specific rip and crosscut blades for the table saw for more accurate cutting. Not to mention band saws, back saws, coping saws, flush cutting saws. (and no, I'm not a woodworker).
Different saws are needed by the cabinet maker even though the task they all perform is cutting wood. They all do the same thing, but differently. They might have niche uses, or be general purpose. Some handle large projects well, and some are easy to set up for small projects, but are not efficient for large ones.
Computer programming languages are the same way. They are tools to perform jobs.
I agree that you should start with a single language. Different languages have different syntax and idioms. Learning one language is hard enough without trying to remember which style/syntax you can and cannot use in your program. Once you are comfortable with one language, learning a second one is easier, and you won't be as prone to messing up the first language with new constructs from the second.
Thanks All, base on your advice, I am focusing on one language with maximum concentration then.....and my choice is C++.
Hopefully, in the next couple of months I will also be contributing fully to this community by assisting beginners.
Not trying to put spanners in the work, however, can I do HTML, XML, CSS and Java script side by side with my C++ as these are not really really programming?
I kinda find them more easy to understand the more I advance in C++...
Advise.
Many thanks
Hopefully, in the next couple of months I will also be contributing fully to this community by assisting beginners.
Not trying to put spanners in the work, however, can I do HTML, XML, CSS and Java script side by side with my C++ as these are not really really programming?
I kinda find them more easy to understand the more I advance in C++...
Advise.
Many thanks
You can, and I have. I have written C++ code to generate and parse HTML and XML code (and maybe Java script--it would have been a long time ago). But there are languages with better support for these formats. I don't work in these areas much (thus I wrote C++ code to do them), so you might have better library support for these languages in another high-level programming language.
And I think that a case could me made that HTML, CSS and Jave script could be considered programming languages in a broad sense. And XML is certainly a way to represent data structures which are foundational to programming. But I know what you are saying.
And I think that a case could me made that HTML, CSS and Jave script could be considered programming languages in a broad sense. And XML is certainly a way to represent data structures which are foundational to programming. But I know what you are saying.
Topic archived. No new replies allowed.