Foreword: Since the advent of computers, their application areas have continuously expanded, related industries have developed rapidly, and the booming software market has given rise to various programming languages. To date, programming languages have evolved to the fourth stage, and development tools are emerging in endless succession. "To do something well, one must first sharpen one's tools"—this is a well-known principle. A good "tool" can make our work twice as efficient. Currently, mainstream programming languages and tools are all-encompassing and difficult to grasp at a glance. Therefore, let's start with the major programming languages and tools in today's society, review their development process, historical context, and the main areas they currently cover, and look forward to future development trends.
The history of programming languages and development tools
The first generation of programming languages: Machine language. A very old language. The objects are simply "0" and "1". The corresponding programming tools were paper tape and a hole punch. Because computers are mostly 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit, they process one byte at a time. The principle is also simple: a 1 bit is punched, and a 0 bit is reserved. Utilizing optical principles, blocking light represents 0, and letting light pass through represents 1. Instructions and operands are retrieved based on the defined positions. This language is quite old and will not be described further here.
Second-generation programming languages: Assembly language. Like machine language, it is a machine-oriented language that utilizes all the hardware features of a computer and can directly control the hardware. Its advantages are direct manipulation of computer hardware and high speed. Its disadvantages are that it is too difficult to understand, so unless written by the author, it is difficult to maintain. However, the program written here is a semi-finished product; it needs to be manually assembled into an object file, linked into intermediate files, and finally generated into an executable file.
Third-generation programming languages: procedural programming languages. When they first appeared, they were called high-level languages, meaning languages closer to human speech. Languages like Basic, Fortran, Cobol, C, and Pascal are truly called high-level languages because they already had their own compilation systems and development packages; execution required a compiler. Compared to machine language and assembly language, these computer languages were designed from the perspective of human logical thinking, with a significantly higher level of abstraction. The introduction of modularity made programs clearer. However, their drawback is that they are very difficult to explain because they are based on procedural thinking and therefore naturally lack object-oriented features.
Fourth-generation programming languages: object-oriented programming languages. These are the current mainstream development languages, such as C++ and Java. Their characteristics include: (1) encapsulation, based on security considerations; (2) inheritance, based on extension processing; and (3) polymorphism, with greater emphasis on flexibility and reusability. Fourth-generation languages have a wide variety of development tools. Microsoft's VS series includes various versions such as VC-C++, VB-Basic, VJ-Java, VF-FoxBase, and C# based on the DotNet platform (the latest VS2010 also introduces F#). The increasingly popular Java development tools are also plentiful; the following section will discuss some related aspects based on future trends in software development.
The above is a brief overview of the fourth generation of programming languages. Many people have proposed ideas for the fifth generation of programming languages, but so far no solution has stood out and emerged victorious.
Today, mainstream programming languages and tools primarily cover a wide range of fields. Machine language has long since disappeared, becoming an ancient legend. Assembly language and C language basically dominate operating system kernels, industrial control, real-time systems, and other fields. In recent years, the Linux system, which has become quite popular, mainly uses C language. C++ not only supports object-oriented programming but also procedural programming structures.
Currently, C++ has a clear advantage in fields such as communications, networking, graphics, image processing, and multimedia platforms. These fields typically have high performance requirements, and C++ offers high execution efficiency (although assembly and C have even higher efficiency, they are difficult to implement). Furthermore, developers prioritize C++ in their development packages, making it unmatched by other languages in terms of high-precision algorithmic programming.
There's a classic saying: "Real programmers use VC, smart programmers use Delphi." At first glance, this seems problematic—VC is a programming tool, while Delphi is a programming language. However, this isn't the case. Delphi 1 through Delphi 7 used Object Pascal; it wasn't until Delphi 8 that it was called the Delphi language. This is completely different from saying "I know VC." VC is a programming tool, and an axe is a logging tool. If you say "I know how to use an axe" because you know how to log, you'll make a fool of yourself. The proper way to say it is "I know how to use VC." Although Delphi was originally developed by Borland, it's easier to learn than VS (including VC) for most Windows programming tasks, has a tighter connection to the WinAPI, makes it easier for users to achieve their goals, and allows for the creation of more visually appealing interfaces.
The now-famous QQ was initially developed in Delphi, only gradually switching to VC++ after 2001. Many popular apps like Xunlei also use Delphi. In short, before 2005, anything VC++ could do, Delphi could do as well (or even better). However, as Borland wanted to focus more on its promising Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) business...
The legendary journey of Delphi (currently a programming tool under the IDE business) has also come to an end. After 1995, with the great leap forward of the Internet, the B/S architecture became increasingly popular. APS, PHP, Java... all sorts of heroes showed off their skills.
The future development trends of programming languages and tools will largely depend on three aspects: first, the future working framework and working mode of computer networks; second, the degree of support of current development tools for programming languages and hardware development; and third, the vitality and dynamism of the various languages themselves.
Twenty years from now, computer networks will enter the era of "cloud computing." Cloud computing involves a vast network of computers providing us with all the services we need, rather than relying on local computers. With just a browser, and perhaps no operating system, everything can be done through the network. Cloud computing is already beginning to tentatively enter our lives.
As pioneers of "cloud computing," we can utilize online tools such as online office work, online TV, and online translation. Many of these are based on the "cloud computing" model, and while still imperfect, they are already quite substantial. The imperfections stem from insufficient server processing power, inadequate network bandwidth, or poor algorithms leading to unreasonable traffic distribution. Server processing power plays the most crucial role. Currently, high-end and large-scale servers are almost entirely "monopolized" by IBM and Sun Microsystems. Sun, the father of Java, has nurtured Java extensively, while IBM has dedicated half its resources to rewriting all its related code in Java and the other half to promoting it. Don't doubt Java's development prospects; in the future, Java will undoubtedly be the language most closely integrated with large-scale servers, offering the best compatibility and effectiveness. Eclipse will also become the most popular programming tool. (In fact, Java already ranks first in usage among various programming languages, holding the top spot for nine out of the last ten years, only slipping to second place in 2005).
Java's dominance of the internet is an inevitable trend, but Python's future role in desktop applications is by no means a surprise. Python boasts a very concise and clear syntax, making it suitable for various high-level tasks and capable of running on almost all operating systems. More importantly, Python's design philosophy, "There should be one—and preferably only one—obvious way to do it," means that for a specific problem, there should be only one obvious and best (perfect) way to solve it. This design philosophy perfectly aligns with the needs of future development teams. If a software project (not written in Python) only has a general design without detailed specifications, the final program written by engineers is likely to be diverse and highly individualized. Even if programmers have excellent development skills and a consistent coding style, the methods used cannot be guaranteed to be the same. This makes program upgrades and maintenance highly limited by personnel and inefficient.
However, it's a completely different story when you use Python. Python is a language that embodies the philosophy of simplicity. Reading a well-written Python program feels like reading English, albeit a very rigorous one! This pseudo-code nature of Python is one of its greatest strengths, allowing you to focus on solving the problem rather than figuring out the language itself. Python is known as a "glue language" because it can easily connect various modules (especially C/C++) written in other languages. A common application is to use Python to quickly generate program prototypes (sometimes even the final interface), and then rewrite the parts with special requirements in a more suitable language. For example, the graphics rendering module in a 3D game has very high speed requirements, so it can be rewritten in C++. Python was one of the earliest (internet-based) online development languages. After launching its online office, Google introduced online Python to users. With Google's support, Python is sure to have a bright future.
Whether a programming language can be widely adopted depends largely on how easy its development tools are to use; whether software developed using a language can be widely used depends on how well its development kits support it.
C++, once a champion, saw its visual programming pioneered with the release of VC1.0 in 1992, reaching its peak with VC6.0 in 1998. Aside from Microsoft's release of a WinXP-based SDK in 2002, there were few major updates. VC7, VC8, and VC9 primarily focused on improving the programming interface, with minimal expansion of development packages. With the release of Vista in late 2006, compatible development packages weren't released until the 2008 VS2008 SP1 patch. The most recent VS2010 beta version finally arrived after the dazzling debut of Win7 in 2009. VC10 does indeed offer significant improvements to development tools and adds considerable support for C++ syntax. It adds a call tree generation function, representing hierarchical call relationships in a tree structure, making the logical structure clearer for programmers. VC10 also adds the ability to connect multiple monitors to a single machine, along with an on-demand function for generating functions. It also reportedly enhances intelligent sensing capabilities, allowing for highlighting of references.
C++'s advantage lies in its efficiency, ultimately stemming from its being a compiled language, where much of the code's execution occurs within registers. Java, on the other hand, is an interpreted language, where most code execution involves pushing data onto the stack. Since registers reside in the CPU, their access speed is orders of magnitude faster than memory access. Furthermore, most PC chips are register-based (e.g., Intel, AMD), which is why Java's current execution speed cannot compare to C++.
The reason Java is more popular than C++ in the embedded systems field is because most embedded chips are stack-computer type. You might ask, why not use register-computer type chips? The reason is self-evident: for cross-platform (cross-CPU) compatibility, we currently use dual-core chips, but even local threads cannot be cross-CPU, let alone "cloud computing" (cloud computing is essentially distributed computing). Since high-end large-scale servers are "monopolized" by IBM and Sun, what will become of CPU development? When C++ no longer has a speed advantage, will some say "the old general is past his prime"?
In recent years, the usage of C++ has declined significantly. If it weren't for its inherent connection to C and the support of open-source programs, C++ would likely have long since faded away, relying solely on VC++. To assess the vitality of something, one must consider its current level of development and future trends. Java, designed by top-tier C++ developers, naturally eliminates some of C++'s inappropriate, insecure, and unstable mechanisms, while its reflection mechanism further enhances its capabilities. Java's open-source framework resources are readily available; WebLogic and Tomcat are also readily available, while C++ frameworks are scarce. While ACE is famous, is its source code accessible? Only configuration is possible. People often ask if a C++ version of Hibernate can be written for C++ programmers, even though the database isn't cross-platform. Every time Hibernate is mentioned, I'm reminded of the seemingly unrelated term: Hubble's Law. Hubble's Law is an astronomical law stating that all galaxies tend to move away from each other at an ever-increasing rate, thus proving the continuous expansion of the universe. Are Java and C++ like two planets in the software industry?
Vitality is a perpetual topic for any programming language. Its vitality is measured by its close connection to the world's hottest technologies and the number of people who care about it. Java has already made significant contributions in multiple fields, including 3G and digital television. Java boasts the world's largest number of software engineers; just look at the numerous software training flyers scattered throughout the streets to see how much people care about this programming language.
In conclusion, over the next 20 years, assembly language and C will continue to hold their own in fields such as operating system kernels, industrial control, and real-time systems. Java will reign supreme on the internet, Python will become the new king of team development, and C++ will continue to play its part in its current areas of application, becoming a close partner with Python.
Postscript:
Java itself is based on C++, and many versions of Eclipse are also written in Visual C++. If C++ truly fails to regain its dominance in the future software market, could it be fate? As for Python, as a language used in hacker training and becoming the standard development language for future development teams, is it just a cruel joke played by destiny? Let's wait and see.
