The Most Stable and Modern Programming Languages: Beyond C

Discussing the evolution of programming languages, especially in light of the common perception that C is stable but lacking in modern features, this article explores the current landscape of stable and modern programming languages. We'll delve into the significance of new features, the stability of widely-used languages, and specific languages that have garnered industrial support.

Firstly, it's important to acknowledge that many older programming languages have undergone significant updates over the years. This includes Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, and C itself, with the recent C12 release. Every major language has incorporated a multitude of features, enhancing their capabilities and making them more versatile. Features, often seen as a curse by some, are actually a blessing as they enable programmers to accomplish more tasks with ease and efficiency.

Introduction to Stable and Modern Programming Languages

Nearly all major old-fart languages have been updated and modernized. We have examples like Python 3.11, Ruby 3.2, PHP 8, C12, and Java 21. These updated versions are not only modern but also highly stable. Features in these languages have expanded, providing a rich set of functionalities that often rival C. The addition of new features is a natural progression in the life cycle of programming languages, reflecting advancements and improvements in software development practices.

For developers seeking a 'new-gen' language, several languages have been warmly embraced by industry professionals:

Go Rust Elixir Julia Scala Swift Kotlin

The Curse of New Features: A Personal View

Some programmers often complain about the addition of new features, reminiscing about simpler times when they had to write their own sort functions. While it’s true that new features can sometimes introduce bugs, the advent of new features is generally beneficial. These additions enhance the language, making it more powerful and easier to use. It's essential to recognize that as a language evolves, so does its user base, leading to a broader set of use cases and applications.

Experienced Programmers and Language Selection

Experienced programmers tend to steer clear of new features, viewing them with caution due to potential bugs. However, the age of a language shouldn't be the sole criterion for selection. Language compilers now support multiple versions, making it possible to use older languages with new compilers. The best languages are those with formal international standards like Ada and C, which are well-tested, widely used, and expected to remain relevant for a long time. Informal languages, such as Python, may face compatibility issues with each release, making them less reliable.

Challenges with C and C

While C is known for its stability, it presents unique challenges. Existing C codebases often lack compatibility with other languages like Rust, necessitating the use of C as an intermediary. This process, known as marshaling, can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Furthermore, C, with its extensive GUI support, is primarily limited to Windows. Other platforms may offer partial support, but full functionality is not guaranteed.

The Future of C

C23 brought new additions and removed deprecated functionalities, balancing stability with progress. However, the language is not inherently modern. Finding clean and readable C code is challenging. The perception that modern programming languages are unstable is partly due to the rapid changes in other languages. Despite this, C remains a critical language in many applications, especially those requiring low-level system interaction.

Conclusion

While C remains a stable language, the programming landscape is continually evolving. Other languages like Go, Rust, and Elixir have been warmly received in the industry and offer modern conveniences. As developers, it's important to embrace these new languages, recognizing the benefits they bring to modern software development. Whether you like it or not, the trend of adding new features is likely to continue, enhancing the functionality and versatility of programming languages.