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Why can't we build a universally acceptable language?

Why do we have to use different languages for different purposes? Why don't we have or can build language that could possibly do all the work? e.g. we need jquery, html, java (or other), sql, etc. all of them just for building a single website. Why don't we have a language that can do all of this required work. I know there are front end back end development but all we need every where is a language that our machine could interpret. And at the end all it works is to make same tasks of translation.

17th Mar 2017, 7:45 AM
Rudrapratap Singh
Rudrapratap Singh - avatar
191 Answers
+ 276
It's the same reason why we have different types of transportations to bring us to different places, based on different variables and conditions. This is also why we have different occupations in the world where one person specialises in just one or two field of expertise as their functional career. If you had a specific language which does everything, it would be so enormous that it would take very complex, cutting-edge technology to actually support it, both at compile time and runtime.
17th Mar 2017, 9:10 AM
Hatsy Rei
Hatsy Rei - avatar
+ 68
"Horses for courses" is a UK saying that fits here. Basically different race courses have different terrain/conditions and will suit the unique abilities of each horse differently. I'd argue that the same is true of programming languages you choose the one that fits your needs best. I like the idea of a "Swiss army knife" of languages though. Perhaps it's not a universal language we need but a tool that carries them all within it?
17th Mar 2017, 9:04 AM
Mike
+ 57
There shouldn't be just one way of doing things and if there is a language that does that, it will be OVERLOADED because technology is too BROAD. Consider this: Web(frontend & backend), Mobile Application(iOS, Android, Blackberry), Desktop App(Linux, Mac, Linux), Database, Server. A programming language for just all of that wouldn't make sense. People will always look for a better and efficient ways.
17th Mar 2017, 8:50 AM
Wisdom Abioye
Wisdom Abioye - avatar
+ 42
diversity in programming language is come from combination of innovation and discovery in computation technology. there will be a time in the future where all programming language is simplified and combined into one language. for now, we need more innovation that translated into more new programming language to solve diverse challange and problem.
17th Mar 2017, 9:43 AM
Agus Mei
Agus Mei - avatar
+ 30
We have one: machine code!)) Yet, that is too complicated, just imagine writing an eg. Android app with that. But that was the first way to write programs, so why not?))
17th Mar 2017, 7:50 PM
Illusive Man
Illusive Man - avatar
+ 25
Wrapping everything up into one programming language would not solve your problem. You would create a programming language that is just as complex as it can get due to the diversity embedded. Moreover you would lose all the benefits of for example python or ruby (writing code on the fly with not too much effort) and it's for sure that the freedom of choosing your weapon isn't given anymore. Therefore you would be pretty restricted and maintaining the complexity of a program written in your prog. language or simply learning the syntax of it would be a pretty big toll. In my opinion it's way better to keep things separate at least in that case.
17th Mar 2017, 6:52 PM
H3LL0FR14ND
H3LL0FR14ND - avatar
+ 24
I guess that language will be complex a therefore it will be hard to write and debug.... Have you asked urself why militaries possess jets yet a soldier carries a pistol to a battle.... it simply because a jet won't be convenient when the soldier is ambushed by a bear while camping in the forest... Hope my explanation helps you
17th Mar 2017, 8:51 AM
Ben Ntabo
Ben Ntabo - avatar
+ 18
I feel your idea but based on the little I know, each language you learn should make you think of programming in a different way. they say programming is art and art is about self expression. imagine how monotonous the world would be if we had one language... each language has it's own unique secret and feeling.so try out as much as you can enjoy the art and mystery behind each language
17th Mar 2017, 4:03 PM
zikora
+ 15
It would be like trying to create a utopian society. As far as I know, it is not possible. A language to have all the functions of what we need them to (OOP languages, markup, web, whatever). A language like that would be so big and unwieldy it would be like carrying a rail gun into battles with you. It simply would be too big and would be too ineffective. It would probably be almost as big as all of the current languages combined, because it needs to have all of their functions. Also, it would be hard to make in the first place and would take a long time to develop. I hope this helps (very similar to other answers)!
18th Mar 2017, 5:10 PM
J.G.
J.G. - avatar
+ 15
Have you ever had trouble finding precisely the word (or form) that conveys exactly what you mean? Why don't we all just learn Esperanto? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto
18th Mar 2017, 6:30 PM
Kirk Schafer
Kirk Schafer - avatar
+ 13
java does a pretty good job at being universal, but it still has different sub languages so to speak for different tasks to make programs and webpages faster and more efficient, like android sdk, and javascript. as a crude example, lets say java takes 5 seconds to load a "hello, world" into text on a computer, but 10 seconds on a webpage, so you can use javascript to load it in 5 seconds. again very crude but i hope it makes a good example. also stuff like jquery are made so you can have simpler code for a language and be more efficient
17th Mar 2017, 9:00 AM
David Busev
David Busev - avatar
+ 13
The answer might be more geared toward which are used in unison. It's a recipe of sorts for experts. To just build a website, you don't need anything, but html. Throw in the need for a login, and php becomes necessary, along with sql which is for database access, and manipulation for finding a username, and password. Once you've become more active with just the basic html website, your necessities change with the flow of code, and so will the needed languages ("library")functions. But if you want an all in one, and you don't mind reading each language, you could go for a platform setup like Joomla. Other than that you're just building from scratch the necessities for Content Management Systems it seems. All of these things usually just come with a hosting account, and you just mix, and match their extended functionality of just showing someone a browser page, or app template. No need to blend what seems to be blended already by proximity with necessity.
20th Mar 2017, 7:32 PM
David Hutto
David Hutto - avatar
+ 11
Another idea that would help is having a list of use examples for each language to help beginners learn which to go with that would suit their needs best
17th Mar 2017, 9:05 AM
Mike
+ 11
everything is different & different is good unless it would be very complex.. I think
20th Mar 2017, 2:33 AM
Samira
Samira - avatar
+ 10
I think it is better to have different languages suited to different applications. Technology is so complex, and for modern performance it is constantly being streamlined. I think this is only possible because we have languages suited to different tasks. Across the board, core programming concepts remain the same between languages, which is great, and certainly helps to learn other programming languages.
17th Mar 2017, 9:03 AM
leactz
leactz - avatar
+ 10
It would indeed be overtly complex to learn. the different languages available are more like various spices which have specific functions in a meal.
17th Mar 2017, 9:11 AM
Olawale
Olawale - avatar
+ 10
It's the same reason why we have different types of transportations to bring us to different places, based on different variables and conditions. This is also why we have different occupations in the world where one person specialises in just one or two field of expertise as their functional career. If you had a specific language which does everything, it would be so enormous that it would take very complex, cutting-edge technology to actually support it, both at compile time and runtime.
17th Mar 2017, 9:13 AM
mak
+ 10
various diveces various company various platforms various needs all 4 things above is cause of bilud varous programming languages.
17th Mar 2017, 10:46 PM
Nima Mohamadian
Nima Mohamadian - avatar
+ 10
Ever seen the individual length of the languages, how can you hope to combine them? Hope this helps...
21st Mar 2017, 8:39 AM
Dragon Slayer Xavier
Dragon Slayer Xavier - avatar
+ 10
There is beauty in diversity, not to mention availability of choice, a unified language may create more problems than benefits
18th Sep 2017, 9:39 PM
David Akhihiero
David Akhihiero - avatar