As a coder, you need to learn a new coding language at some point in your career. It can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be hard with the right resources.
In this article, you’ll learn the different types of coding languages. It also includes a few pointers on how to get started.
So whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned coder, this guide will help you understand the essentials of coding.
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Comparison of Programming Languages and Coding Languages
Are you new to coding? Then, you may be curious about the difference between coding and programming languages.
Both programming languages and coding languages are used for creating software. They use a specific syntax or set of rules to write code. They are also used for creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and mobile app development.
Here’s a quick comparison between the two.
Language | Programming Language | Coding Language |
---|---|---|
Definition | A programming language is used by coders to write codes. | Coding languages are lower-level languages closer to machine language. And because they’re closer to machine code, they can be more difficult for humans to read and write. But they can be more efficient than high-level languages. |
Application | They’re handy for complex applications that need a lot of code. | Coders often use them for specific purposes, such as game and web development. |
What are the Main Classifications of Programming Languages?
Have you ever wondered how you can create computer programs? Well, programming is a process of writing code that tells a computer what to do. And, like human language, you can use different programming languages to write code.
Basically, we can divide coding languages into two main classifications:
What are the Main Classifications of Programming Languages?
These programming languages are close to human language and far from machine language.
Basically, they are programming languages that are easy for humans to read and write. But to execute them, you need to convert them into computer languages.
These programming languages are also more abstract than low-level ones. That means they deal with concepts removed from the actual hardware of the computer.
Some of the most popular high-level programming languages include Python, Java, and C++.
Low-Level Programming Languages
Low-level languages are closer to human assembly language. They’re also often used for system programming, embedded systems, and driver development. And since they’re closer to the machine code, they have the edge over high-level languages.
For example, low-level languages have more control over the generated code.
Low-level languages can also offer greater flexibility and other aspects of program execution.
What are the 4 Types of Programming Languages?
While there are many popular programming languages, these four main types are the most commonly used ones:
Scripting Language
One type of programming language is a scripting language. It is also known as “glue languages” since it “glues” components with other languages.
Technically, programmers use scripting languages to automate tasks or create simple applications. This programming language is easy to learn and use. Besides that, it doesn’t need much code to write basic programs.
For example, you can use scripting to create a short program that backs up your files. Or you could use it to fill out online forms automatically.
Here are the features of scripting languages:
- Speeds up development time. Write scripts to automate tasks and speed up your workflow.
- Increases productivity. Automation is a tedious and time-consuming task. When you automate your tasks, you can focus on more important things.
- Makes maintenance easier. Reduce the need for manual maintenance and keep your scripts up-to-date.
- Increases efficiency. Improve productivity by automating routine tasks.
So, if you’re interested in learning how to code, scripting is a great place to start.
Logical Programming Language
A logical programming language uses formal logic to solve problems.
In a logical programming language, you state your facts and rules. After that, the computer will figure out how to solve the problem. You don’t have to tell the computer every step to solve the problem.
Logical programming languages also use predicate logic. This predicate logic represents relationships between things using variables and functions. For example, you can use predicate logic to represent the relationship of a mother and child.
Also, there are two main types of logical programming languages:
- Horn clauses. It describes certain relationships.
- First-order logic. This type explains the properties of objects.
Besides that, here are the features of logical programming language:
- Quick learning curve. You can quickly start using the language without spending hours learning it.
- Logical. The language is rational, so you can ensure your code will always do what you expect.
- Flexible. You can use the language for a wide range of applications.
- Open-source. The language is open source, which means you can use and change it to your liking.
Object-Oriented Language
If you’re new to programming, an object-oriented programming language can be confusing.
Essentially, it allows programmers to create objects containing both data and code.
This programming approach has many benefits, including the following:
- Reuse across different programs. Once you’ve created an object, you can use it in many projects without recreating it each time.
- Shareable. If you create an object, you can share it with others rather than having to write all the code from scratch.
- Modifiable. It is easy to make changes to an object without impacting the rest of the program.
Overall, it provides a great deal of flexibility and power for programmers.
Business-Oriented Language
Simply put, business-oriented languages are specifically for business applications. They include anything from creating customer databases to developing financial software.
For example, it has database access, and graphical user interface support.
Usually, it comes with built-in features well-suited for developing business applications, such as:
- Fast development time. This language allows you to quickly develop applications specific to your business needs.
- Easier maintenance and updates. Since the code is more straightforward, it is easier to maintain and update.
- Increased efficiency. This language helps businesses efficiently operate as you can process transactions faster.
- Reduced costs. Development and runtime costs are lower as compared to traditional programming languages.
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What are the 5 Main Coding Languages?
Coding languages are like the building blocks of computer programming. They’re used to create everything, from websites and apps to software and video games.
While there are hundreds of them, here are the five main coding languages:
HTML
Anyone who has created a website knows that coding can be complex and time-consuming. There are dozens of coding languages, each with its unique syntax and quirks.
But one of the most popular and widely used coding languages for websites is HTML.
HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is used to create structures of web pages. It is one of the building blocks of the World Wide Web, and is relatively easy to learn.
One of the reasons HTML is so popular is that it is compatible with a wide range of browsers and devices. There are also various tools and resources available to help people learn HTML.
Besides that, HTML remains one of the main coding languages developers use because:
- No complicated coding necessary. You can create beautiful and professional HTML without prior coding experience or knowledge.
- Responsive. Your creations will look amazing on any device.
- Unlimited revisions. It offers unlimited revisions until you’re satisfied!
To use HTML, here are the following steps:
- Choose the text editor you want to use, like Notepad or TextEdit.
- Open a new file in your text editor and type the code.
- Save your file.
- Open the saved HTML file in a web browser like Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, or Internet Explorer.
CSS
CSS is a style sheet language that describes the presentation of a document in a markup language.
This style sheet is a collection of rules that tells a web browser how to display a document written in HTML or XML. It also styles all HTML tags, like the document’s body, headings, paragraphs, and other text.
Also, CSS creates responsive designs that adjust the layout of a webpage to the device’s size. With that, it is possible to develop sophisticated and visually appealing websites.
For starters, CSS is pretty user-friendly. It’s not as daunting as other coding languages, making it perfect for beginners. And even if you’re not a beginner, CSS is still pretty easy to pick up.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use CSS:
- Download a code editor like Atom, Brackets, or Sublime Text.
- Create a new folder on your computer to store all the files for your website.
- Inside your new folder, create two new files: index.html and style.css.
- Open your index.html file in your code editor and add the basic HTML template.
- Save your index.html file and open your style.css file in your code editor.
- Add a CSS comment.
- Add a CSS rule to select the body element and set the colour property to light blue. You can use the hexadecimal value #00FFFF.
- Save your style.css file and open your index.html file in a web browser.
JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most popular coding languages for a reason. It’s easy to learn and versatile for all sorts of web development. Plus, it’s the internet language since every website uses JavaScript somehow.
But what makes JavaScript so unique?
For starters, it’s a full-fledged programming language. That said, you can use it to create complex applications. At the same time, JavaScript is also simple enough that beginners can pick it up with ease.
Another reason JavaScript is so popular is that it runs on nearly every platform. Whether you’re using Windows, Mac, or Linux, you can code with JavaScript. And with its cross-platform compatibility, you can use it on any device.
Here’s how to use it:
- Before you can write any code, you’ll need a text editor to write and save your JavaScript programs.
- Open your text editor and create a new file.
- Type the code into your file and save it as “script.js.”
- You will need to open it in a web browser to run your script.
- Double-click on the “script.js” file to open it in your default web browser.
- You should see an alert box appear with the text, “Hello, world!”
PHP
PHP is a server-side scripting language for creating dynamic web pages.
Basically, a user requests a page from a PHP-enabled website. Then, the server will process the PHP code and generate the HTML output for the user.
PHP is an incredibly versatile language. For example, you can use it for simple scripts to complex web applications.
It’s also relatively easy to learn, which has made it one of the most popular coding languages in the world.
Here are several reasons why PHP is so popular among developers:
- It’s open-source, which means it’s free to use and distribute.
- It runs on all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
- It has a large community of users and developers always willing to help beginners.
To use PHP, you should:
- Download and install XAMPP on your computer. By doing so, you’ll have a local server environment where you can test your PHP code.
- Create a new folder inside the “htdocs” folder with XAMPP. This folder will be the home of all your PHP files.
- Open up any text editor (like Notepad ++, Sublime Text, or Atom) and create a new file inside your new folder. Save this file with a “.php” extension.
- The very first line of your PHP code should be “<?php”. Then, it will tell the server that everything following this tag is PHP code.
- Write some code! You can start with something simple like printing out a message to the screen.
- Save your file and open it in a browser by typing “localhost/[folder name]/[file name].php”. If everything is working correctly, you should see the output of your PHP code on the screen.
SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL) is a popular coding language for several reasons:
- SQL is very versatile, and you can use it for various tasks.
- SQL supports most major relational database management systems (RDBMS).
- There are many ways to use SQL in both development and production environments.
- SQL has been around for a long time and is well-established as a standard coding language.
These factors make SQL an attractive option for programmers of all skill levels.
And to help you get started, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write SQL queries.
- Identify the table you want to query. Look for information about customers you’ll need to query on the customer table.
- Choose the columns you want to retrieve data. If you look at a list of all customer names and addresses, you’ll need to specify the name and address columns.
- Use the WHERE clause to specify any conditions. If you only want to see customers living in the US, add a condition that checks for the country column equal to ‘USA.’
- Use the ORDER BY clause to sort the results. Add an ORDER BY clause that sorts by the last_name column for an alphabetical list.
- Run your query.
Remember, each of these programming and coding languages has its strengths and weaknesses. So, it’s essential to do some research to see which one would be the best fit for you.