Re: What makes a programming language popular?

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From	Fritz Wuehler <fritz@spamexpire-201202.rodent.frell.theremailer.net>
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Subject	Re: What makes a programming language popular?
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> On 2/5/2012 6:33 PM, Aaron W. Hsu wrote:
> > At any given time, a programming language can usually be thought of as
> > currently fashionable, rising in popularity, or losing popularity. I would
> > like to hear some thoughts on what makes a language popular, what brings it
> > back into popularity, or what might be the "marketing" strategy for anyone
> > who cares about their language making an impact and achieving wide use.

The most obvious factor is what is the OS and its interface written in? If
not for UNIX being written in C with an interface defined in C header files,
C wouldn't have seen the light of day outside Bell Labs.

> some factors:
> familiarity, how much does it look like what people already know and like?

Historically irrelevant, now probably very relevant.

> what merits does it bring versus existing options?

Irrelevant. What do you need to use to get the job done in environment X?
That is what you will choose whether the language itself is good or bad.

The answer for UNIX-eunichs is always C

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What makes a programming language popular? Aaron W. Hsu <arcfide@sacrideo.us> - 2012-02-05 19:33 -0600
  Re: What makes a programming language popular? BGB <cr88192@hotmail.com> - 2012-02-05 22:57 -0700
    Re: What makes a programming language popular? Fritz Wuehler <fritz@spamexpire-201202.rodent.frell.theremailer.net> - 2012-02-07 18:12 +0100
      Re: What makes a programming language popular? Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com> - 2012-02-07 18:34 +0000
        Re: What makes a programming language popular? BGB <cr88192@hotmail.com> - 2012-02-07 15:25 -0700
  Re: What makes a programming language popular? tm <thomas.mertes@gmx.at> - 2012-02-06 23:27 -0800
    Re: What makes a programming language popular? BGB <cr88192@hotmail.com> - 2012-02-07 15:53 -0700
      Re: What makes a programming language popular? gremnebulin <peterdjones@yahoo.com> - 2012-02-08 04:07 -0800
        Re: What makes a programming language popular? BGB <cr88192@hotmail.com> - 2012-02-08 17:15 -0700
          Second Best Language Aaron W. Hsu <arcfide@sacrideo.us> - 2012-02-08 20:19 -0600
            Re: Second Best Language BGB <cr88192@hotmail.com> - 2012-02-08 21:27 -0700
    Re: What makes a programming language popular? gremnebulin <peterdjones@yahoo.com> - 2012-02-08 04:05 -0800

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