Are All Programming Languages Becoming the Same?

Programming languages like JavaScript tend to be created when there is a domain specific problem to solve. In the case of JS, it was extending the capabilities of the web browser to add rich interactive functionality is web pages. As JavaScript has grown it has exploded out of that box to be used in servers, specialized devices like car infotainment systems, GUIs that span many types of hardware like Netflix etc. With the explosion JavaScript has been forced to evolve beyond its simple functional syntax into a language that looks very much like every other OOP language out there.

This trend, however, is not unique to JavaScript. The world of programming languages has seen tremendous growth and evolution since the inception of the first high-level programming language, Fortran, in the 1950s. Today, there are hundreds of programming languages, each with its unique features and capabilities. However, as we dive deeper into the evolution of modern programming languages, a curious trend emerges: the convergence of language features, leading to languages that are becoming more and more similar. This article explores the factors behind this trend and what it means for the future of programming.

The Path Towards Convergence

To understand why programming languages are converging, we first need to examine the factors that are driving this phenomenon:

1. The pursuit of efficiency and productivity: As programming languages evolve, developers are continuously seeking ways to increase efficiency and productivity. To achieve this, languages often adopt features and syntax from other successful languages, which have proven to be effective in improving code readability, maintainability, and overall performance.
2. The influence of open-source development: The open-source community has played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of modern programming languages. As developers collaborate and share ideas across different language communities, they naturally adopt and adapt the best practices and features from other languages.
3. The desire for interoperability: In the era of interconnected systems, developers often work with multiple programming languages and platforms. To facilitate seamless integration, language designers are adopting similar features and syntax, making it easier for developers to switch between languages and work on heterogeneous systems.
4. The rise of multi-paradigm languages: Traditionally, programming languages were designed around specific programming paradigms, such as object-oriented or functional programming. However, as modern languages adopt features from multiple paradigms, they become more versatile and expressive, leading to a greater degree of similarity among them.

Examples of Convergence in Modern Programming Languages

Several recent programming languages showcase the convergence of features, such as:

• Swift, Apple’s flagship programming language, borrows elements from languages like Python, Ruby, and Rust, resulting in a versatile and expressive language.
• Kotlin, a language developed by JetBrains as an alternative to Java, incorporates features from languages like Scala, Groovy, and C#. This has made Kotlin an increasingly popular choice for Android development.
• Rust, a systems programming language, blends features from C++ and functional programming languages like Haskell, leading to a safer and more ergonomic language.

Implications and Future Directions

The convergence of programming language features has several implications:

1. Improved developer productivity: As languages become more similar, developers can quickly become proficient in new languages, which can help increase their overall productivity and adaptability.
2. Easier collaboration and integration: Similar language features can streamline the process of integrating code written in different languages, making it easier for teams to collaborate and build complex systems.
3. A shift in focus from language syntax to libraries and frameworks: As language features converge, developers may focus more on libraries and frameworks, which can provide higher-level abstractions and domain-specific functionality.

The convergence of modern programming languages is a fascinating phenomenon that showcases the adaptability and continuous evolution of software development. As languages continue to borrow and adopt features from one another, they become more powerful, versatile, and accessible to developers. The future of programming languages will likely continue to see further convergence, as well as the emergence of new, innovative languages that push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of software development.

Is it possible that the requirement that continue to create these domain specific languages are not as strong as the need for a common syntax? How much more productive would the vast workforce of software developers be with a higher degree of interoperability?