Survey of Programming Languages
Understanding Programming Paradigms, Design Concepts, and Applications
Dr. Benjamin Tei Partey
Objectives of the Course
Explore different programming paradigms.
Understand key language design principles.
Compare languages based on use cases and performance.
Gain hands-on experience with various programming languages.
Analyze the evolution and future trends in programming languages.
What is a Programming Language?
Definition: A formal set of instructions that a computer can execute.
Purpose: To enable communication between humans and computers.
Examples: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, Haskell, Prolog.
Programming Paradigms
Imperative Programming: Focuses on how to perform tasks (e.g., C, Python).
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Models real-world objects (e.g., Java, C++).
Functional Programming: Uses mathematical functions (e.g., Haskell, Lisp).
Logic Programming: Uses rules and facts (e.g., Prolog).
Scripting Languages: Lightweight and high-level (e.g., JavaScript, Ruby).
Language Design Concepts
Syntax and Semantics:
- Syntax: Structure of code.
- Semantics: Meaning of the code.
Memory Management:
- Manual: (e.g., C)
- Automatic: (e.g., Java's garbage collection)
Compilation vs. Interpretation:
- Compiled languages: (e.g., C)
- Interpreted languages: (e.g., Python)
Comparative Analysis of Languages
Factors to Compare:
- Readability and simplicity
- Performance and efficiency
- Ecosystem and libraries
- Community support
Example:
- Python: Easy syntax, slower execution.
- C++: High performance, steeper learning curve.
History and Evolution
Early Languages: FORTRAN, COBOL, and Lisp (1950s).
Structured Programming: C, Pascal (1970s).
Object-Oriented Revolution: C++, Java (1980s–1990s).
Modern Trends: Python, JavaScript, Kotlin, Rust.
Concept of Programming Languages
History of Programming Languages:
- Evolution from machine-level to high-level languages.
- Key milestones: Assembly, FORTRAN, C, Object-Oriented languages.
Reasons for Studying Programming Languages:
- Broader understanding of computation.
- Better choice of tools for problem-solving.
- Improved ability to learn new languages.
Application Domains
Scientific computing: FORTRAN, MATLAB
Business applications: COBOL
Artificial intelligence: LISP, Prolog
Web development: JavaScript, PHP
Criteria for Language Evaluation
Readability
Writability
Reliability
Cost of use
Future Trends
Emerging Languages:
- Rust: Memory safety
- Go: Concurrency
- Julia: Scientific computing
Other Trends:
- Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs)
- Impact of AI and Machine Learning
- Trends in Multicore and Parallel Computing
Hands-On Practice
Write sample programs in different paradigms:
- Imperative: Sorting in C
- Functional: Recursion in VB.NET
- Object-Oriented: Classes in Python
Compare how different languages handle similar problems.
Summary
Programming languages are tools for problem-solving.
Each language has strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.
Understanding paradigms and design principles is crucial.
Hands-on practice is the best way to master programming concepts.
References
Books:
- Concepts of Programming Languages by Robert W. Sebesta
- Programming Language Pragmatics by Michael L. Scott
Websites:
- https://www.w3schools.com
- https://www.geeksforgeeks.org
Questions and Discussion
Open floor for questions.
What are your favorite programming languages, and why?
Discuss real-world scenarios for different paradigms.
