Programming Languages

The topic of programming languages is a complex one. It has so many facets that it is almost impossible to put it into a single blog post to cover all aspects of it. From the increased power consumption to the multiple languages and types that accompany it. They all come back to the information technology (IT) field. Almost everything in IT is run on a programming language. When beginning to learn about the world of IT, it is important for individuals to have a basic understanding of programming languages to be able to diagnose issues in software. 

            The history of computers is a complex story that leads us to where we are now. According to Desmazieres, A. (2025), “Over the last 50 years, the evolution of programming languages has mirrored the growth and diversification of software development practices, at an astonishing pace.” With the advancement in technology, so too have programming languages advanced. As computers have evolved, the advancement has led to the ability to create new languages to complete new tasks. With that advancement has come drawbacks. These drawbacks are the increase in power consumption as technology and computers have advanced. A research paper created by Camargo-Henriquez, I., et al. (2024) utilized a Virtual Machine, meaning it is software that simulates a physical system to test the power consumption of different programming languages. These tests displayed that C# was the most efficient and Go was the least. This displays that the programming language chosen can determine the power that is consumed by a system running a program.

            Without proper hardware, programming languages can be less efficient and draw more power. This can put a strain on your computer or other device, reducing the lifespan of the device. The modern computer systems are created by the current programming languages. Each company uses its own language to create its operating systems. These systems must be compatible with the programming language of the application as well. For gaming, games must be altered to ensure that they work with the operating system's language so they do not cause the computers to crash or other issues that may arise from incompatible software. The type of hardware will also determine the speed and efficiency of the programming language, thus determining which language would suit the situation. It is up to the individuals creating the programs to determine what language would best work in the situation.

            Programming languages are tools used to create every program that functions on any electronic device. They range in how they are used drastically. Some are best used for things like websites and web applications, while others are best used for the development of things like video games. These languages can be split into 3 different categories: compiled, interpreted, and hybrid languages. (TestOut Corp., 2024) Compiled languages are converted or translated into the code of the machine, which allows for faster speeds. Interpreted languages are translated line by line by an interpreter. This causes speeds to be slower than compiled languages. Hybrid languages are compiled into bytecode and executed through virtual machines, allowing for a balance between the two options. This balance may be seen as the best option; however, that is not the case in every scenario. It is up to the developer or decision maker to determine what the best programming language for the situation would be.

Application software is created using programming languages. These languages can vary. The most popular programming language is Python; however, C# is gaining traction and rising in popularity. (Jansen, P., 2025) Programming languages play a key role in software development. They are used to create the software itself. This must be determined by the individuals who are creating the application. This can be one person or a group of people. Application software can be created by using multiple different types of programming languages.

            When it comes to databases and security, programming languages create those systems. Creating security systems involves an in-depth understanding of programming languages and how devices function. This understanding allows for a greater understanding of how these systems operate and allows individuals to counteract threats. Databases are important because they allow for the storage of large amounts of information in a secure way. Programming languages combine to allow for the development and customization of these systems. It allows individuals to tailor them to fit their needs.

References:

Camargo-Henríquez, I., Martínez-Rojas, A., & Castillo-Sánchez, G. (2024). Energy Optimization in Software: A Comparative Analysis of Programming Languages and Code-Execution Strategies. 2024 9th International Engineering, Sciences and Technology Conference (IESTEC), Engineering, Sciences and Technology Conference (IESTEC), 2024 9th International, 507–511. https://doi.org/10.1109/IESTEC62784.2024.10820312

Desmazieres, A., Cosmo, R. D., & Lorentz, V. (2025). 50 Years of Programming Language Evolution through the Software Heritage looking glass. 2025 IEEE/ACM 22nd International Conference on Mining Software Repositories (MSR), Mining Software Repositories (MSR), 2025 IEEE/ACM 22nd International Conference on, MSR, 372–383. https://doi.org/10.1109/MSR66628.2025.00068

Jansen, P. (2025, November). TIOBE Index. TIOBE. https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index

TestOut Corp. (2024). CertMaster Learn Tech+. http://www.testout.com