Introduction to Programming Languages

Programming languages are the foundation of software development, allowing developers to create applications, websites, and systems through computer-understandable instructions.

• They use a formal syntax and rules to write code that is translated into machine language for execution by the computer.
• Programming languages bridge human logic and machine execution, providing a structured way to solve problems.
• Different languages serve different purposes — for example, Python is beginner-friendly and versatile, while C++ is used for high-performance tasks like game development.

Types of Programming Languages

Programming languages are classified based on their level of abstraction:

• High-Level Languages: Human-readable and are portable across computers. Examples: Python, Java, JavaScript. They need a compiler or interpreter to run.
• Low-Level Languages: Close to machine code, giving more control over hardware but harder to write. Examples: Machine code.
• Assembly Languages: A mix between high- and low-level, using simple symbolic instructions for a computer. An assembler converts it into machine code.

Key Terms in Programming Languages

• Syntax: Rules for writing code, like grammar in human languages (e.g., C uses {}, Python uses indentation).
• Data Types: Types of data a program can handle, like integers, floats, strings, and booleans.
• Variables: Named storage for data that can change during program execution (e.g., score = 100).
• Operators: Symbols like +, -, *, /, and == for arithmetic or comparisons.
• Control Statements: Manage program flow using if-else, loops, and function calls.
• Libraries & Frameworks: Pre-written code to simplify tasks (e.g., Python’s pandas, JavaScript’s React).
• Paradigms: Programming styles, like Procedural (C), Object-Oriented (Java), and Functional (Haskell).

Popular Programming Languages

Here are some widely used programming languages and their typical applications:

• Python: Known for simplicity and readability, used in data science, machine learning, and web development.
• Java: Platform-independent, popular for enterprise applications and Android development.
• JavaScript: Essential for web development, enabling interactive websites.
• C++: High-performance language for system programming, games, and real-time applications.
• C#: Used for Windows applications and game development with Unity.
• Swift: Apple’s language for iOS and macOS apps.
• Go: Designed for scalability and cloud computing.
• Ruby: Known for web frameworks like Ruby on Rails.

Each language has unique strengths, making it suitable for specific domains

Basic Example Of Most Popular Programming Languages:

Here the basic code for addition of two numbers are given in some popular languages (like C, C++,Java, Python, C#, JavaScript etc.).

// C++ program for sum of 2 numbers
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
    int a, b, sum;
    a = 10;
    b = 15;
    sum = a + b;
    cout << "Sum of " << a << " and " << b
         << " is: " << sum; // perform addition operation
    return 0;
}

// C program for sum of 2 numbers
#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int a, b, sum;
    a = 10;
    b = 15;
    sum = a + b;
    printf("Sum of %d and %d is: %d", a, b,
           sum); // perform addition operation
    return 0;
}

// Java program for sum of 2 numbers
import java.io.*;

class GFG {
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        int a, b, sum;
        a = 10;
        b = 15;
        sum = a + b;
        System.out.println(
            "Sum of " + a + " and " + b
            + " is: " + sum); // perform addition operation
    }
}

# Python program for sum of 2 numbers
a = 10
b = 15
add = a + b  # perform addition operation
print(f"Sum of {a} and {b} is: {add} ")

// C# program for sum of 2 numbers
using System;

class GFG {

    public static void Main()
    {
        int a, b, sum;
        a = 10;
        b = 15;
        sum = a + b;
        Console.Write("Sum of " + a + " and " + b + " is: "
                      + sum); // perform addition operation
    }
}

let a = 10;
let b = 15;
let add = a + b;  // perform addition operation
console.log(`Sum of ${a} and ${b} is: ${add}`);

<?php
    // PHP program for sum of 2 numbers
    $a = 10;
    $b = 15;
    $sum = $a+$b;  //perform addition operation
    echo "Sum of $a and $b is: $sum";
    //This code is contributed by Susobhan Akhuli
?>

// Scala program for sum of 2 numbers
object Main {
    def main(args: Array[String]) {
      val a = 10;
      val b = 15;
      val sum = a + b; //perform addition operation
      println("Sum of " + a + " and " + b
                           + " is: " + sum);
    }
}

*> Cobol program for sum of 2 numbers
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. SUMOFTWONUMBERS.
 
DATA DIVISION.
    WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
        77 B PIC 99.
        77 A PIC 99.
        77 SU PIC 99.
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    SET A TO 10.
    SET B TO 15.
    ADD A B GIVING SU.
    DISPLAY "Sum of " A " and " B " is: "SU.
STOP RUN.

// Dart program for sum of 2 numbers
void main() {
    var a = 10; 
    var b = 15; 
    var sum = a+b; // perform addition operation
    print("Sum of ${a} and ${b} is: ${sum}");
}

// Go program for sum of 2 numbers
package main
  
import "fmt"
  
// Main function
func main() {
      a:= 10
    b:= 15
    su:= a + b // perform addition operation
    fmt.Printf("Sum of %d and %d is: %d", a, b, su)
}

# Julia program for sum of 2 numbers
a = 10
b = 15
su = a + b # perform addition operation
println("Sum of ", a, " and ", b, " is: ", su)

Sum of 10 and 15 is: 25

Tips for learning new programming language

By following these steps, you’ll learn faster and build a solid foundation in any new programming language.

• Start with Fundamentals: Learn syntax, variables, data types, and control structures.
• Practice Regularly: Write code daily to build consistency and skill.
• Work on Projects: Apply concepts through small personal projects.
• Read Documentation: Understand language features and best practices.
• Engage with Communities: Ask questions and learn from others.
• Learn from Experts: Study code from experienced developers.
• Practice Debugging: Strengthen problem-solving by fixing errors in your code.