What Computer Language is Universal? They're so many. Help.?

Question

I want to learn how to program. I know, better late then never. Anyways, I started on C then after reading the introduction part I decided to go with C++. Now I just found out there's another language call Linux, UNIX, and MORE...

My question is: Which language do you find to be the most useful and universal to other languages? Help.

Answer 1

The one universal language that EVERY computer in the world uses is Assembler. Although that is a very difficult, boring, unweildy language to learn.



C++ is the most widely used programming language because it is very powerful and flexible. Most people will say that C++ is the best programming language.



However another extremely flexible language is Java (Not Javascript.)



Java is not a fully compiled language - it needs Java Runtimes to be installed on the computer (Most people have Java installed on their computer and it can easily be installed from Java.com)



This means that any computer that can run the Java Runtimes can run the program you have created in Java. E.g. the popular Limewire program is made with Java.



I'd start with that, if you find that you don't like Java, try PHP. PHP is a internet based language that many many websites are now using. It is very flexible and powerful, too.



The advantage of PHP is that it's free, and can be used with other free software like the Apache webserver, MySQL database and Linux operating systems.



PHP is a parser - you write your program in PHP, and the webserver translates it into HTML for your user's computer to easily show.



If you are extremely serious about programming and wish to create stable, small footprint, and powerful programs, C++ is the only way to go.



The disadvantages with programming languages like Java and Visual Basic, C# etc is that they require Runtimes. That means that the user's computer has to process extra information in order to run your program. This means that your program might be a little slower and use more memory.



A personal favourite programming language of mine is Delphi. Delphi uses a version of Object Pascal that is very easy to learn, and it is a powerful language. It can be used with MySQL also, PHP, and supports .NET. Many famous programs are programmed in Object Pascal. Delphi uses a RAD interface. (Rapid Application Development.) This means that you start with a blank form (program area) and drop buttons, edit boxes, check boxes, progress bars etc into the form, then write code according to each action. (e.g. code for clicking the button, code for moving the mouse over the button etc.)



I hope this helps. As you can see there are always advantages and disadvantages to every langauge. on the whole, I'd recommened either C++ or Java.



Good luck!!! :)

Answer 2

Depending on what exactly you mean by "Universal", some would argue that there is no truely Universal programming language. However, I'd say there are a couple that come close - but even this is subject to much dispute.



Machine code - understand the principles and althought the details vary by processor, the concepts apply everywhere. However, you probably wouldn't want to write a finance or risk analysis program using this.



C - processor independent and highly portable. It is what much of the core of Linux, UN*X, MacOSX, and probably Windows operating systems are written in. C is also a great foundation for learning many other languages, since they share the same basic syntax. For example, C++, Java, C#, PHP, and many more.



Now if you're interested in learning one language so that you can do some risk analysis, forecasting, etc. then you might want to consider:



Java - if OS/platform independence is important to you and you want a great deal of control and flexibility.



C# - shares much of the same control and flexibility as Java, but is - practically speaking - tied to newer versions of Microsoft Windows.



VB/VBA - probably the simplest to learn and use, but you'll also find that you give up other things - such as performance and portability.



If you were interested in learning more than one language and making a career out of it, I'd recommend starting with C then once you've got some experience with that deciding where you want to go from there. For example, if C drives you crazy, you probably don't want to go to C++. Whereas if you love the power and performance of it, then C++ would be a great next choice. If you find you're more interested in web development, then after C you could consider something like Java, PHP, Perl, Python, etc.



Now if you're just wanting to learn one language so that you can write some financial apps. then VB/VBA may be a good choice.



I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Firstly, Unix and Linux are not languages. They are operating systems, like Microsoft Windows is an operating system.



If you want to learn a language, I would suggest starting with something like Java or Visual Basic. Java is probably one of the easier languages, and can be used on any operating system (Windows, Max, Unix, Linux, etc.) Visual Basic is also good, and VB includes interactive help that kind of guides you in picking the right functions as you go.

Answer 4

Binary language will always work. That is the basis of all languages.

Next is assembly language.

Then comes C

Then there is C++.

Then there are all kinds of languages specifically suited to the deveopment of applications.



It is much like learning a foreign language. I mean you could spend time learning Russian, German or Chinese, but if you plan on living in Mexico, then those won't help.

Answer 5

The term "computer language" generally refers to a programming language; i.e., a notation for providing detailed instructions to a computer, telling it "what to do" - accept data input from one or more sources, perform various calculations or transformations upon that input, and place the results one place or another.



There are *many* such notations, or languages, for doing this. C, C++, Java, PHP, Perl, Pascal, Python, BASIC, Ruby, SQL, Modula-2, Prolog, C#, Smalltalk, COBOL, assembler, etc., etc. Many languages are particularly suited for solving problems in a given "domain", or area within the real world. Real-time digital signal processing software, for instance, may be written in a combination of C and assembler. Interacting with databases may be done in SQL, though many SQL servers provide have "APIs" (Application Programming Interfaces) that provide functions in other languages to access the SQL capabilities. Programming for the internet/web is likely to be done in languages such as Java, PHP, Perl, and Javascript, although these languages can be used in other contexts (surprisingly different contexts, actually).



Although there is no "universal" language, there are several nearly ubiquitous languages, and these include the ones you've probably already heard of. [Assembler languages are more computer-friendly than human-friendly, and are essentially mnemonics for machine language instructions (patterns of 1's and 0's). I doubt you'll want to go there.]



You mentioned Unix and Linux. These are not languages, but "operating systems", which provide a sort of glue between "application programs" and the hardware. That is, the operating system performs various services on behalf of application programs, like storing data to and retrieving data from disk drives, or sending data across a network port, accepting your keyboard and mouse input, and displaying output to the screen. Applications programs are programs like spreadsheet software, a text editor, a cost-analysis program, a video game, and so forth. Unix, Linux, Windows and OS X are also operating systems. Strictly speaking, Linux is an Operating System kernel, but it's okay to use the term more loosely to refer to the whole OS.



There are "shell languages" for these operating systems that allow you to provide a series of instructions to a "command interpreter"; the operating system performs those instructions on your behalf as if you'd typed them in yourself. Perhaps that is what you were referring to when you mentioned Unix and Linux. (bash, sh, csh are common command interpreter/scripting languages for Unix and Unix-like operating systems.)



Where to start? In my opinion, a language that derives much of its syntax from C will do you well. C, C++, and PHP are some of my favorites. Object-oriented languages are more and more important as time goes by, so C++, Java, Ruby, PHP (especially PHP5), Python or Delphi would be good choices. Your target operating system might be a factor, too. Java is a cross-platform language, C++ is available nearly everywhere, any of the Visual Studio languages would be good for Windows-based software, and they have great built-in help systems and tutorials. For the application domain you're talking about, I think C++ is not a bad place to begin. It's hard to pick a bad one, though.



People tend to get into religious wars over what language is truly "best". The best language is the one that you wield most successfully to solve the kinds of problems you are trying to solve, in the environment in which you are trying to solve them. A bit of trial and error is inevitable. Get something free, for learning. I'm a PHP consultant, writing desktop and web-based solutions in it, so I'm bound to be partial to it these days, and there are number of very good introductory books for it, but don't let anyone goad you into this or that language because they think it the best. Talk to providers of the kind of software you're interested in writing and see what they seem to use. Look for job postings for that kind of software and see what language you see required the most.



Best wishes on your programming endeavors.

Answer 6

binary is the only true 'universal' language. The zeroes and ones that make up each character on the keyboard.

Answer 7

I would suggest basic, but I think that'd be too complicated for you.