As a Computer Science Student, you know that Studying Programming Languages is necessary & most individuals do the same without knowing the “Evolution of Programming Languages”. However, we should see the History of Programming Languages.
When the background of Computer Programming Language is clear to you, you will get a bit more motivation & energy to understand the concept. From that perspective, it is necessary to know the History of Programming Languages before diving into any other programming languages.
This article will highlight different milestones in the Evolution of Programming Languages from year to year. So, grab the seatbelt to travel into the past with the Programming Language Evolution.
Summary or Key Highlights:
Coding Language is the set of instructions given to a computer to perform any complicated task.
In 1883, the first coding language was developed by Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage.
In 1949, the First Low-Level Language Assembly was developed.
First, a High-Level Language was FORTRAN developed in 1957.
The Common Business Oriented Language or COBOL was innovated in 1959 with the OOP Concept.
In 1972, the modern C & SQL Languages were started development.
Swift is the last language developed by Apple in 2014 which is reported.
When Was The First Programming Language Invented?
Before starting the detailed evolution of programming languages, we want to highlight the beginning of this enormous journey. The First Programming Language emerged under the name “Algorithm for the Analytical Engine”.
You can note that there is no proper name is given to this coding language as the inventors are also not confident about their discovery. They understood that it is one kind of Algorithm that makes calculation easier on the computer.
The First programming languages were categorized under the Machine Code concept. This coding language was developed by Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage in 1883. Now, let us look at the more Evolutionary Details of Languages.
If you need help with any programming project ideas or want to learn new programming languages, don’t miss our detailed article on the types of coding languages to gain structured clarity.
Detailed Evolution Of Programming Languages:
Now, it is time to discuss the core concept of the article. In this portion, we will discuss the Evolution of Compiled Computer Programming Language in a detailed manner. We have divided the evolution of computer programming languages into many different parts.
Later, all of these parts are again divided into subparts according to many different major incidents year by year. This will help to understand the complete Evolution process of Computer Programming Languages from Web Development to Application Development.
Rise Of Early Machine Codes (1940s):
In this section, we will discuss the Evolution of Computer Language after the invention of the “Algorithm for the Analytical Engine” in 1883. We will discuss the Evolution of Computer Languages till the 1950s.
1) In the Year 1949:
The Assembly Language was first developed in 1949. The Assembly Language is considered the First Low-Level Programming Language. The Assembly Language is something more advanced than the Machine Language that was developed in 1883.
Whatever the currently popular programming languages emerged, all of them came from the Assembly language.
2) In the Year 1952:
In 1952, the Autocode was generated & used. Autcode was the first language that was developed with the help of the Assembly Language.
The Autocode was the first language that was converted to Machine Text with the help of a specific converter. This Converter is known as the Compiler to get Interpreted Programming Language.
Rise Of High-Level Programming Language (1950s):
Now, it is time to move towards a more little bit advanced concept. In the earlier discussion, you can see that the Rise of Low-Level Programming Languages was started. In this period, the High-Level Programming Language will be developed.
1) In the Year 1957:
The FORmula TRANslation or FORTRAN was developed in the year 1957. John Backus created this programming language that is considered the First High-Level Programming Language.
And you will be surprised to know that the FORmula TRANslation or FORTRAN is still being used in today’s world for Scientific Computing. So, it can be termed as one of the Oldest Languages.
2) In the Year 1958:
In 1958, two Programming Languages surfaced, they are known as the Algorithmic language (ALGOL) and List Processor (LISP). The ALGOL is the primary programming language from where C, Java, C++, etc. was developed.
The LISP is the programming language that is still being used by the corporates. So, it is one of the Oldest Programming Language as well. From the LISP, the Python & Ruby are developed.
Rise Of Object Oriented Programming Languages (1950s):
Now, after discussing the Rise Of High-Level Programming Languages, it is time to shed some light on another important coding concept which is the Object Oriented Programming Concept. And this also happened in the 1950s.
In the Year 1959:
The Common Business Oriented Language or COBOL was discovered by Dr. Grace Murray Hopper. It was termed as the Third Generation Coding Language that was highly used for Banking Sectors.
At that time, nearly 100 million individuals work with the COBOL. Nowadays, the use of COBOL can still be seen as like the LISP & ALGOL Language.
Rise Of Compiled Programming Language (1960s):
Now, it is time to move ahead into a bit more modern languages. The Compiled Programming Language will be the first step in that case. The Complied Programming Languages started the Traditional Computer Development.
In the Year 1964:
The Coding Language Beginner’s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code or BASIC was first developed in 1964. The BASIC was the first coding language that was first looks very similar to the modern one.
The BASIC was then used in Microsoft in its first Windows Version Computer. Bill Gates developed the BASIC a more to be used in simple systems programming.
Rise Of Modern Programming Languages (1970s to 2000s):
Now, it is time to discuss all the Modern Languages that exist in the world. This period started in the 1970s most specifically in 1972. And theoretical ended in 2014 with the last recorded coding language.
1) In the Year 1972:
In this particular year, the most important several languages were developed. Among them, the C Language & the Structured Query Language or SQL are worthful to be noted.
The Structured Query Language or SQL is used to date for working on the Database Management System. if you are new to SQL, then no need to worry more! For your help, CodingZap SQL Service is present. Do connect with us & let us wipe out your entire confusion related to SQL.
The C Coding Language is considered the main milestone for the development of current language growth.
2) In the Year 1983:
Just after the development of C Programming & Scripting Language SQL, people start working on its modification. By modifying the C Program, the C++ Language was developed in 1983.
In C++ Programming, the developers added the Classes, Templates, Virtual Jobs, etc features that make it more different than the C Programming.
3) In the Year 1987:
In 1987, the Coding Language Perl was developed. It was originally developed as the Text Editor at that time. The Perl was developed by Larry Wall.
But, nowadays, Perl is becoming more stronger than the earlier version. It can be used for Database Programming, Visual Programming & many different Computer Network Programming as well.
4) In the Year 1991:
Two important coding languages, Visual Basic & Python Language were developed in 1991. Visual Basic was developed by Microsoft to Drag & Drop Scripting Language.
And there is no need to introduce Python to you. Python is a general-purpose programming language that can be used in Operating Systems without having any issues.
5) In the Year 1995:
In 1995, three major coding languages surfaced in the market. They are known as the Java, JavaScript & PHP. All of these three coding languages are highly used nowadays as well.
PHP & JavaScript are the languages that can be used to develop web pages with a proper working user interface. The Java Virtual Machine is used for the Code Readability.
6) In the Year 2000:
C# Programming was first developed in 2000 by Microsoft to merge all the facilities of C++ Programming along with Visual Basic for different calculations.
One thing you should note is that the C# has more programming skills than the Java programming language. And still, many powers need to be cultivated in C# Language.
7) In the Year 2003:
Now, it is time to develop some coding languages for Android Development Purposes. In 2003, the Scala Coding Language was developed by Martin Odersky.
Scala is a high competitor of Java Coding Language. Scala is also highly used in different high-performance software like LinkedIn, and Netflix. etc.
8) In the Year 2009:
The Go Coding Lanaguge was first developed in 2009 by Google to handle different large-scale projects and this is the language that is still being used by many individuals.
The Go is highly used by Uber, Dropbox & obviously by Google. In earlier times, managing large-scale projects was a bit difficult that became easier with Go Language.
9) In the Year 2014:
The last development was done in 2014. Apple developed the Coding Language Swift which is still being used by many corporate worlds.
The target was to replace C, C++ & Objective-C with the new coding language that can be easily implemented on both Mobile & Desktop Applications.
If you’re interested in knowing more about programming languages then you can read programming books that every programmer should know as they are great ways to clear your fundamentals.
Why There Is No Coding Languages Invented After 2014?
Now, before moving ahead, we want to highlight the Absence of Languages after 2014. From the above discussion, one thing would clear in your mind that till 2014, there was a series of developments. But, something happened after 2014 that stopped the new language development process.
In this section, you can understand why there is no new language developed after 2014. And from this discussion, the future aspect of programming will become clear to you.
Dominance Of Language: We can see that the Dominance of Existing Language is too high which can be a potential reason for it. Individuals are only keen to try Python, Java, C++, etc. They do not want to explore any new languages.
High Cost: The development of Language is a very cost-consuming process. Also, there might be some risk by which the new language can’t be used with the already present system. From that perspective, it is also difficult.
Betterment Of Existing L The latest trend is to perform the betterment of existing language. Developers are adding new features to existing language that help to perform some more applications with it.
Why Was Programming Invented? Read Below
Now, one major question will be the reasons behind the development of Programming. We have seen the entire evolution of programming. But, why there is a need to invest so much time in implementing new programming?
In this section, we are going to understand the reasons behind the inversion of programming. It will clear the concept more to you.
Automation of Repetive Task: The programming reduces the task of completing a job repetitively. If you have done any operation multiple times, you can use the Loop Concept of Programming & simply do the job.
Solve Complex Problems: If the problem is very complicated & you are facing any issues, then build the logic & set of instructions for it. The Instructions of the program will help to complete the job with the Computers.
Increase Efficiency: If you take 3 Hours to complete any certain amount of work, that computation can be easily done by the Computer Program within 3 Minutes. So, it increases the Efficiency of the work.
Communication & Networking: Programming is the key that helps humans to communicate with computers easily with some instructions. Not only that, the Programmings help to communicate between two computers within without problem.
Improve Accuracy: If you compute any answer, there will be a high chance of getting some error, even in the Decimal Fraction. But, if the programming is doing the job, you can be sure there will be the highest accuracy if the code is correct.
Can All Programming Languages Do The Same Thing?
No! Different Coding Languages are not the same in the execution viewpoint. However, they perform similarly with the help of a certain set of instructions. Those sets of instructions also be different for different languages.
They might be technically equivalent but there are a large difference between different languages. Some languages are used for the Web Development Process. Some languages are used for the Android Development process & some can be for different.
So, there is no need to think all the languages do the same thing. They all solve complex problems, but in each different way.
Does Programming Have A Future? Will Programming Become Obsolete?
We can particularly say that there is a bright future present in Programming. And the chance of getting obsolete is making daydreaming. However, this daydreaming can become true if the use of Artificial Intelligence increases rapidly.
But if it is not done, there is no chance that the Programming will fail in the future. Because as much as technology will change, humans will innovate new software & systems. And to perform perfectly there will be the need for programs.
And those programs are going to be developed by the humans. So, Programming will live longer along with the entire Programming Industry in the future. So, you can move ahead in this career without hesitation.
Conclusion:
As we can see, “Evolution of Programming Languages” is worthful to know as a CS Student.
We will recommend to understand this Evolution of Programming first and for deeper insights, you can check out the best programming books every programmer should know to strengthen your fundamentals.
Later, start your programming journey with the Easiest Language C. Then, you will get motivation as well as enthusiasm for this topic more than any other individual who is just memorizing without getting into the concept.
Takeaways:
The Evolution of Machine Language was started in 1883 by Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage.
First, Machine Language was developed in the 1940s.
Later, the High-Level Languages like Fortran in the 1950s.
Then, the Object Oriented Programming Concept first comes with the COBOL Language in the 1950s.
Then, the Computer Coding Language was first developed in 1960 by BASIC Language.
From the 1970s, all the modern languages start developing like C, SQL, C++, etc.
