Artificial languages for instructing computers to do steps of computation in order to complete tasks. They allow programmers to communicate with computers.
-2
votes
2answers
104 views
What topics/abilities are critical to learning a programming language? [closed]
What topics/abilities are generally accepted as vital-to-know of any programming language?
(Can be answered through either language-specific or non-specific suggestions, however)
For example, I ...
2
votes
0answers
146 views
Do any LOP languages exist?
I have read a few of the articles related to the Language Oriented Programming paradigm. Therefore, I concluded that LOP paradigm can let programmers be more productive because of it's extensibility.
...
-1
votes
0answers
131 views
How to get a programming book published [migrated]
So I feel I'm a pretty good programmer in my area of expertise. Whats the process for writing a book about my niche and getting it published?
9
votes
1answer
151 views
Can we make it easier to add data flows between distant parts of a large codebase?
When making changes to large systems, I often face the problem that some piece of functionality needs to get some data from another piece, but they're in different parts of a deep and branching call ...
39
votes
4answers
14k views
Why do programming languages, especially C, use curly braces and not square ones? [closed]
The definition of "C-Style language" can practically be simplified down to "uses curly braces ({})." Why do we use that particular character (and why not something more reasonable, like [], which ...
23
votes
7answers
2k views
Why do large websites use different languages for the backend and frontend?
My understanding from small MVC applications is that you have the front end, which deals with HTML, JS, jQuery, etc, and you have the back end, which consists of your controllers and models.
...
-1
votes
4answers
577 views
Is is acceptable to create mediocre code now in preparation for new language features? [closed]
I'll be specific: Java 8 is promised to bring lambda expressions as well as method and constructor references among other things. As a Java developer I'm super psyched about that.
In my day to day ...
5
votes
4answers
546 views
Is it possible to create a 2d game for both linux and windows with next to no changes?
I'm starting a project with friends which would preferably reach both audiences of windows and linux. The only problem is that none of us have any experience of linux porting or linux coding any way. ...
1
vote
8answers
1k views
How does if/else work internally in all programming languages?
if(true/false){
//if condition is true
}else {
// if condition is false
}
Everyone knows about the structure of if-else. But what is if actually? Is it a class method, static method or ...
5
votes
5answers
526 views
What's the effect of this assignment (whatever the language)?
I think my book (Programming Languages: Principles and Paradigms) is wrong. a is a vector, assume a C-like language:
b = 0;
a[f(3)] = a[f(3)] + 1;
int f(int n) {
if(b == 0) {
b = 1;
...
6
votes
1answer
232 views
Why is the main memory for object allocation called the 'heap'?
Has anybody got an idea why the area of main memory where objects are allocated is referred to as the heap. I can understand the rationale for that of the stack LIFO but would like to know what the ...
-4
votes
1answer
104 views
GCC compiler for C and other languages [closed]
I have gone through many reference documents about how a GCC compiler optimizes program. But I am not sure how actually a programmer request GCC attempt to optimize a program. Plz help answering this ...
1
vote
1answer
171 views
A new language's chances [duplicate]
I am creating a new language, with some nice features like OOP, static typing, imperative, etc.
The main reason for making a language was to learn more about compiler construction.
My question is, ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Using namespacing in XML is similar concept as that of using Packages in programming?
When namespace is used in XML, the benefit is same as that of packages in programming.
So, let's say, i am given a xml file ( mxml in flex or xib in ios ), then if i wanna convert it back to their ...
0
votes
3answers
188 views
C/C++ in applications that do not concern performance [closed]
C is the best language (or maybe the single language) suitable for operating systems, drivers, embedded systems etc. For more complex domains like computer graphics C++ is a better choice. But these ...
31
votes
3answers
1k views
Why are actual parameters called “arguments”?
Where does the word "argument" (in the programming sense) come from?
i.e. Why are actual parameters called "arguments"?
The meanings don't seem related, and I haven't found any explanation of it ...
-4
votes
1answer
228 views
Learning advanced programming [closed]
I'm from India and it's not really a good place for learning and education. I'm an IT student, I've been studying various programming languages like Java, C, C++, VB etc. And its my final year in ...
-1
votes
2answers
70 views
Course selection consultation [closed]
I need an opinion about course selection in my school. I am undecided between two courses and do not know which one i should take. One of the courses is "programming language concepts" and its ...
-1
votes
2answers
135 views
What to learn and how? [closed]
I am a Java (Web) Developer. Having knowledge about c#, PHP and Ruby. I am getting confused how to keep myself updated with very fast changing the programming language and their implementation.
Like, ...
0
votes
1answer
77 views
More info about Poplar language originiating from Xerox Parc [closed]
Peter Weinberger in an interiview mentioned a language called Poplar
What’s interesting is that at the same time that we were doing AWK,
there was a project at Xerox PARC called Poplar … maybe ...
0
votes
3answers
176 views
How can I get assembly from an EXE?
Pretty much my only question is the title. Other then that I want to see the code behind small EXEs but I know it's hard to get it to convert to something like c or c++ so why not get assembly.
6
votes
2answers
262 views
What's a good math textbook to have on my desk while studying Haskell?
I just started learning Haskell and it seems like you can't get too far in the language without being comfortable ( or at least exposed ) to certain branches of mathematics. Unfortunately I have major ...
7
votes
1answer
163 views
Math library methods in Google's Go Programming Language
I have been programming in google Golang and have been enjoying it due to its brevity but I find it surprising that almost all its Math standard library methods are for the floating point type. Is ...
0
votes
2answers
197 views
Need some advice and feedback on my code's design
I am looking for feedback on the design of my program.
I have a shell script call function.sh that defines a lot of helper functions. My intent is to use those bash functions defined in functions.sh ...
13
votes
4answers
296 views
Fernando J. Corbató's “Constrained languages”
For his 1990 Turing award speech, Fernando J. Corbató listed reasons why complex systems will inevitably fail. In his conclusion, he gives some suggestions for decreasing the probability of failure. ...
2
votes
2answers
236 views
How to fix bad fundamentals? [closed]
I am a native PHP developer, and have been for about a year or so. I love PHP and it was very easy for me to learn, but I have developed some bad habits along the way due to never having a formal ...
26
votes
1answer
1k views
Why is a Boolean value stored as a byte inside of a computer when it only requires one bit
I recently started learning to write code, and in my book I came across this question. "Why is a Boolean value stored as a byte inside of a computer when it only requires one bit?" can someone shed ...
3
votes
8answers
951 views
The most human language like programming language [closed]
I was wondering, there are so many articles about what the best coding languages are.
C, C++ Go Haskel lisp java ML F# etc etc.
But rarely i see an article about the most human like programming ...
11
votes
4answers
507 views
Why does Java not do type inference?
I have always wondered why Java does not do type inference given that the language is what it is, and its VM is very mature. Google's Go is an example of a language with excellent type inference and ...
2
votes
1answer
45 views
Documentation Generation - FiM++
This is a question I originally asked on Stack Overflow, but as a conceptual design question as opposed to a technical issue, I believe it may be more appropriate, or possibly have alternate parallel ...
1
vote
1answer
142 views
Programming languages classification / taxonomy
Is there a rigorous way to classify programming languages ?
If so, can the various "dimensions" be quantified ? (degree of purity)
For instance, I just went on the Shade language website (I am not ...
3
votes
1answer
187 views
Why Doesn't Java Allow Default Parameters/Arguments [closed]
Basically something like
public void jumpToRoom(String roomName = Rooms.DEFAULT_ROOM)
would be convenient.
Many languages nowadays seem to support it (Ruby, PHP, even C#).
What is Java's ...
-1
votes
3answers
353 views
How to become an expert in C++ [closed]
I have some experience in Java programming and enterprise application development. I have done OOP, data structures in C++ for my undergraduate studies. But I couldn't touch C++ for years. Now I am ...
5
votes
2answers
816 views
Asking people to disable Java for security - what's next for developer?
I don't know what best to give as title to this so pardon me if it sounds weird.
I saw this question asked on IT Security and another site asking people to disable Java from their system or browser ...
0
votes
2answers
227 views
Which source is quoteable for the popularity of programming languages?
I'm writing a paper right now, and I need a quotable source for the popularity of programming languages.
One source I know is the TIOBE index, however, there are several others if you search google, ...
1
vote
1answer
263 views
Are silly examples bad way to learn OOP? [closed]
Some tutorials give silly examples to teach OOP, for example: Car class and myCar object, etc. Is that way considered bad in learning OOP assuming that these examples not applied to real programming ...
7
votes
1answer
255 views
Why is the cyclomatic complexity equal to two for a simple Hello World?
I would have two questions related to cyclomatic complexity:
Can I use this metric for a whole app? I guess I cannot, as it would be incredibly large number, considering functions calling functions ...
33
votes
8answers
2k views
Are exceptions an OOP concept?
Having read a post yesterday, I realized I did not know much about the origin of exceptions. Is it an OOP related concept only? I tend to think it is, but again there are database exceptions.
0
votes
0answers
99 views
Which programming languages are to be considered for complex, shell interaction intensive, portable application development? [closed]
The title is a bit long, but the question is all there. Let me bring more precision on what the title exactly means.
I'm having this idea for a program which will be:
Quite complex (not exactly ...
0
votes
2answers
74 views
Bluetooth app that works on multiple platforms
I am prototyping a bluetooth microcontroller. I need to be able to connect and read data from the bluetooth microcontroller with a pc, mac, iphone and android. I it possible to write one app that will ...
9
votes
8answers
449 views
Past If statements Arrays, loops… Now what?
I gave up on programming a little over a year ago when I kept hitting this wall. I am revisiting the subject because I want to create basic Android application. But I feel that my limited knowledge ...
-6
votes
1answer
263 views
Did C# ever allow switch fall-through? [closed]
Some of my fellow programmers recollect that switch fall-through was once allowed in C#. Of course, it is not allowed now, and has not been allowed since at least Visual Studio 2003:
C# does not ...
-4
votes
7answers
476 views
Should code completion be a consideration when choosing a programming language for a project? [closed]
For high level RAD,
Java / C# is stronger typed than python / ruby looser typed.
So Java / C# can provide more accurate code completion which boost productivity.
We don't want to do meaningless ...
2
votes
1answer
138 views
A single IDE vs many IDEs for different languages [closed]
I asked this question (and I admit it was a bit off topic), but Dapne suggested different IDEs knowing that I will use all three languages. What are the pros and cons to different IDEs for different ...
8
votes
3answers
374 views
Would it be better to have extra checks, or would it be a waste of time?
In your opinion, do you think it is a waste of time to make checks that you know there is no possible way of it being there/not being there, or would you just put it there just in case there is a bug ...
1
vote
3answers
635 views
How did Python become popular as a scripting language? [closed]
I looked at it in my field of work, which is film and pretty much every software we use comes with python as a scripting language: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Python_software That made me ...
67
votes
15answers
21k views
Why aren't user-defined operators more common?
One feature I miss in from functional languages is the idea that operators are just functions, so adding a custom operator is often as simple as adding a function. Many procedural languages allow ...
20
votes
5answers
1k views
I've been told HTML is a markup language, C++ is a programming language, what could make that difference?
My programming friends are always telling me that HTML is a markup language and C++ is a programming language. When I ask them what's the difference, they never give me a reasonable answer.
What ...
0
votes
3answers
367 views
What is the reason behind methods with return values and methods with void?
I want to uderstand why there is a method in C# that could reurn a value, for example:
public int Accelerate()
{
Speed++;
return Speed;
}
and a method that does not reurn a value (void)?
...
18
votes
9answers
1k views
Are there any programming languages that follow a minimalist development approach?
I find it that when languages are considered the same as commercial software, there is always a constant need to add new features to justify new releases.
Can there be or are there languages where ...
