The History Of Programming Languages in 5 Minutes

Summary

This video explores the evolution of programming languages, beginning with the creation of Assembly Language by Kathleen Booth in 1947. It highlights key developments such as Fortran, COBOL, and BASIC, which aimed to make coding more accessible. The introduction of C by Dennis Ritchie in 1972 revolutionized programming, paving the way for C++ and SQL. The video also covers the rise of languages like Java, PHP, and JavaScript in the 1990s, culminating in Python's emergence as a leading language today. Overall, it emphasizes the progression and significance of these languages in shaping modern programming.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 2023, there are approximately 300 programming languages, including Python and JavaScript.
• 🕰️ The first programming language, Assembly Language, was created by Kathleen Booth in 1947.
• 🔄 Assembly was a significant improvement over binary but remained challenging to use.
• 📊 In 1957, John Backus introduced Fortran, a more user-friendly language particularly suited for mathematics.
• 🏢 COBOL, developed by Grace Hopper in 1959, became essential for business applications.
• 🎓 BASIC was created in 1963 to make coding accessible to everyone, regardless of background.
• 💻 In 1972, Dennis Ritchie developed C, which became foundational for Unix and many modern languages.
• 📈 The 1980s saw the invention of C++, which added object-oriented programming features to C.
• 🌐 The 1990s brought a surge of new programming languages, including Java, PHP, and JavaScript.
• 🐍 Python, invented by Guido van Rossum in 1991, gained popularity for its ease of use and extensive libraries.
• 📱 While Python is versatile, it has limitations in mobile app development compared to other languages.

Q & A

What was the first programming language ever created?

The first programming language ever created was Assembly Language, developed by Kathleen Booth in 1947 at the University of London.

Why was Assembly Language considered a significant advancement?

Assembly Language was a significant advancement because it provided a higher-level way to program than binary, making it somewhat easier to write code, though it was still complex.

What programming language did John Backus invent, and what was its primary purpose?

John Backus invented Fortran in 1957, primarily aimed at making mathematical computations easier and more efficient.

What was COBOL, and who implemented it?

COBOL, which stands for Common Business-Oriented Language, was implemented by Grace Hopper and her team in 1959 to cater to business applications.

How did BASIC differ from its predecessors?

BASIC, invented by John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz in 1963, was designed to be easy to code in and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.

What was the significance of the C programming language?

The C programming language, created by Dennis Ritchie in 1972, became widely used for system programming and was instrumental in developing Unix, one of the most important operating systems.

What does SQL stand for, and why is it important?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and it is crucial because it allows users to manipulate, access, and store data in relational databases efficiently.

What advancements did C++ introduce over C?

C++, invented by Bjorn Stroustrup in 1983, introduced object-oriented programming features and enhanced libraries, making coding more efficient and easier to manage.

What programming languages emerged in the 1990s?

The 1990s saw the emergence of several programming languages, including Visual Basic, R, Java, PHP, and JavaScript.

Why did Python initially struggle to gain popularity despite being created in 1991?

Python initially struggled to gain popularity due to stiff competition from languages like Java, C++, and JavaScript, but it gradually improved with more libraries and community support.

What is the current status of Python in the programming landscape?

Today, Python is arguably the most popular and beloved programming language globally, known for its versatility and ease of use.

What did the speaker say about the limitations of Python?

The speaker noted that while Python is a general-purpose language, it cannot be used effectively for mobile app development, which is seen as a limitation.