“Use the right tool for the job”

The above statement is conventional wisdom that I’m sure most of us programmers would generally agree with, but let me ask you this, do you think each of the 20 most popular programming languages are different tools meant for different jobs?

For example, consider the following five programming languages: Java, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, and C#.

Are these five languages so unique that you’d call them different tools meant for different jobs or do they seem more alike than they are different?

There was a time when you could say “JavaScript is a language that runs in the browser”, however that statement doesn’t work anymore… Today JavaScript is a language that you can use almost everywhere: Browsers, Servers, Embedded Devices, Databases… So is JavaScript the right tool for every job? NO, of course not! but people keep trying

I think if you squint your eyes, the vast majority of popular programming languages look more similar than different. Sure, they all have different styles and idioms, that may or may not resonate with you, but I still think most popular languages, fundamentally aren’t all that different.

Why do I think this?

Because most popular languages were designed to be general-purpose, sequential languages that can solve all sorts of problems. I mean, if you think about it, languages only become popular, when they have broad appeal, and can be used to solve many different problems… right?

But here’s the thing, you can’t write a programming language that’s excellent at solving all possible problems, just like you’ll never be able to make a meal that everyone likes.