Most Popular Programming Languages For Websites
You're planning to learn how to code your own website. Great! Doing it yourself can save you some cash (though it will cost you some time), but which language should you choose? Are there some that are better than others when it comes to serving HTML?
Let's take a look at the most popular website programming languages, shall we?
C: Most Popular Programming Languages For Websites
This language, dating back to 1978, was developed by Dennis Ritchie, co-designer of Unix. It was standardized in 1988 as ANSI C, and has been revised several times since then. Because it is what every programmer learns at some point during the course of their college career, some feel this familiarity is good enough reason to code in C for their cheap hosting website. C also makes amazingly fast sites, and what's more, all PHP plugins are coded in C.
However, C programs cannot run as scripts, it is hard to maintain the vast amount of code created when using C, and code must be recompiled each time you alter it. C is good for sites that see a high volume of traffic. You'll need to install the Apache web server first, and then a compiler. Sites like Google, Facebook, and YouTube rely on C programming somewhere within their web pages.
Java: Most Popular Programming Languages For Websites
Sun Microsystems' Java is object-oriented, giving you more control in terms of what you can do with it. Because it's based on the C language, if you've used C before, you'll have no problem learning Java. In fact, some say it's easier to learn than C.
Java has a robust library, making the work of programming quick, along with many third-party libraries that are sometimes even better. It's not limited in terms of what environment you're using, and is in a constant state of improvement. If you're a startup, Java is available for the nice low price of free.
You'll still need an interpreter in order for Java to successfully execute, and sometimes it isn't the best language choice, like when performance is key. Another issue with Java: the amount of editing required. References abound, so if you don't go through your code with a fine tooth comb searching for all references, things aren't going to run properly (or at all!).
Java is great when many programmers are working on a project, or when there are multiple computer systems being used all the time. However, others shouldn't rely exclusively on the language. Both Gmail, AOL, and LinkedIn rely on Java to run properly, as do Ebay and Amazon.
PHP: Most Popular Programming Languages For Websites
Installed on over 244 million websites and counting, this language hit the Web in 1995, created by Rasmus Lerdorf, also responsible for the creation of CGI. It used to stand for Personal Home Page, but now it's simply Hypertext Preprocessor. It's free, and can be deployed on the majority of servers and every operating system.
It is flexible, and pretty easy to pick up. Whether it's your first language or the latest in your repertoire, you'll pick it up in no time.
This leads to its downfall: it's too flexible. For example, what one programmer codes might not be deciphered by another programmer, often resulting in starting from scratch. Maintenance can be a nightmare.
Wikipedia, Facebook, Threadless, and WordPress all rely on PHP code to function properly.
What languages do you rely on for your website?
