Ten Obsolete Programming Languages That Still Hold Value
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Obsolete Languages
The landscape of programming languages is vast, with over eight thousand languages in existence today. It's no surprise that many have fallen out of favor. Below, we delve into ten previously popular languages that have largely faded from use.
Section 1.1: Fortran
Fortran, recognized as the first high-level programming language successfully utilized, quickly became a favorite in the scientific community. Within a few years, it spawned the first computing packages for various mathematical fields.
Section 1.2: Algol
Algol faced issues with its syntax, leading to confusion. American developers used a dot to separate integer and fractional parts, while European users opted for a comma. Nevertheless, Algol introduced block structure, which set the stage for future languages, including Pascal.
Subsection 1.2.1: Basic
Basic gained popularity due to its simplicity, enabling even non-experts to create programs. It was particularly favored by the Altair machine, which lacked the memory to handle more complex languages like Fortran and Algol. However, Basic faced criticism for fostering poor programming habits among students, leading to numerous dialects that diverged from its original form.
Subsection 1.2.2: Turbo Pascal
While Pascal is commonly taught in schools, Turbo Pascal emerged as a successful derivative, benefiting from effective marketing strategies. It became widely used, praised by both novices and seasoned developers for its affordability, high-speed compiler, and comprehensive manual. Over time, it evolved into the well-known Borland Delphi by incorporating procedural types and object-oriented programming principles.
Section 1.3: Cobol
Cobol was the go-to language for financial and business applications, offering robust data structure tools and file handling capabilities. Unfortunately, its syntax was convoluted due to attempts to mimic English grammar. As demand for Cobol waned in the early 2000s, many businesses shifted to more efficient and cost-effective alternatives.
Section 1.4: Ada
Developed in the 1970s for military use, Ada struggled to gain traction outside this domain. Its lack of compatibility with other languages and focus on specialized computing systems limited its reach. Today, Ada is seldom taught, though its latest iteration supports modern object-oriented programming features.
Section 1.5: LISP
Initially created for artificial intelligence at MIT, LISP's dialects have found applications in game development and optimization tasks in software like AutoCAD and GIMP. Despite its potential, LISP struggled with resource limitations, resulting in specialized PCs that quickly became obsolete.
Section 1.6: Prolog
Prolog, a logic programming language, operates on binary values—true and false. It's notably utilized in IBM’s Watson supercomputer for its intelligent question-answering system. However, its complexity in managing bytecode renders it unsuitable for intricate computing tasks.
Section 1.7: PL/1
PL/1 was designed to surpass Cobol, yet its extensive features have led to a lack of fully compatible compilers. Its intention was to unify scientists and financial professionals, but the implementation challenges hindered this goal.
Section 1.8: J#
Microsoft's introduction of J# aimed to attract Java developers but ultimately resulted in a language that only superficially resembled Java. The difficulties in using J# and the need for additional libraries caused many developers to favor C#, leading to J#’s decline and eventual phase-out.
Chapter 2: Conclusion
While many of these languages have disappeared from mainstream use, their contributions continue to influence modern programming. If you have experience with any of these languages, you likely possess skills that set you apart from the average developer.
The first video titled "The Worst Programming Language Ever - Mark Rendle - NDC Oslo 2021" discusses the challenges and quirks of various programming languages.
In the second video, "STOP Learning These Programming Languages (for Beginners)," viewers are advised on which languages may not be the best choice for newcomers to the programming world.
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