Why Knowing C Still Matters: A Journey Through Programming Languages

The author begins with a mythic reference to the Tower of Babel, suggesting that translation (and programming languages) aims to bridge human gaps and achieve harmony.

C

You must understand C because every computer you’ll ever use is a Von Neumann machine, and C’s lightweight, expressive syntax maps well to its capabilities.

The Von Neumann architecture consists of a CPU, memory, storage, and a bus; it is a practical, inexpensive implementation of the Turing machine.

Other machines exist, such as Lisp machines (based on lambda calculus) and neural‑network computers, but the Von Neumann model dominates.

All operating systems—Unix, Windows, and others—are written in C, making it essential for low‑level performance.

C++

C++ is described as a confusing, unintrospective language that lacks the self‑awareness of true object‑oriented languages; building tools for it is difficult, and most parsers are inadequate.

While you can write large systems (e.g., operating systems) in C++, the practical limit is around a few million lines of code before it becomes unmanageable.

Lisp

The author recommends learning Scheme (a Lisp dialect) for its simplicity, noting that Lisp offers a clear view of computation distinct from hardware.

Mastering Scheme’s exercises (e.g., from *The Little Schemer*) provides deep insight into programming.

Java

Java rescued developers from many C++ pitfalls, offering safer memory handling, precise exceptions, and built‑in strings, yet it also became a quasi‑religion with its own cult of followers.

Switching from C++ to Java is likened to gaining an executive assistant that handles mundane tasks, allowing focus on core problems.

Perl

Perl is praised for rapid problem solving and strong Unix integration, though its design suffers from inconsistent contexts and a flawed object system.

Despite its quirks, Perl remains a powerful tool for string processing and system administration.

Ruby

Ruby inherits Perl’s strengths in string handling and Unix integration, while also borrowing lists from Lisp, object‑orientation from Smalltalk, and iterators from CLU, resulting in a language that feels like a modern, high‑performance bicycle.

Python

Python is recognized for its longevity and community, yet criticized for mandatory indentation (spacing) and a perceived lack of enthusiasm, which hinder its adoption as the universal scripting language.

Source: Community