The Best Programming Language

There are tons of articles that compare different programming languages trying to find the best language. They compare paradigms, technology stacks, frameworks, community, and so on. Here is my take on this question.

Maturity

It is the first metric that defines a reliable and stable programming language. When the language is mature, it is clear where to use it, build architecture using it, and the pros and cons in a long-term perspective.

The mature language usually does not have many issues and problems, besides ones caused by the way it works or the application purpose. That defines additional stability and consistency.

Every mature language also has at least a couple of well-known and widely-used frameworks.  They are built either by creators of the language or by the community. There can also be additional plugins and extensions that enhance functional features even more.

Application

Every typical type of application has a couple of typical languages that can be used to implement it. If the language is in this list then it is a good sign. It tells us that many other people tried to use this language to that type of application and succeeded.

Also, such a language is usually used by a specific market segment. These people and companies have lots of experience in using this language, know all tips and tricks, and, generally speaking, the best candidates to build applications types mentioned above.

Finally, if the business accepts language with all its pros and cons, then it is (or can be) profitable. It is one of the significant criteria for language selection, as it usually defines whether a new project will be started or not.

Community

Another hint that indicates a valuable programming language is an active community. Some people use that language every day. Some members develop the language itself; others write frameworks or extensions.

It is crucial to know that there are people a developer may ask for help and get an answer to. It means that any task can be done in a reasonable time. Also, there is a good chance that somebody has already solved it, and you can reuse the solution.

A good community also has people of different ages. Older members work on the language itself and various frameworks, while the younger generation uses them and provides valuable feedback.

Which One Is The Best?

The first answer to this question depends on all the factors mentioned above. If language is mature enough, suits requirements, and has a good community, it can be considered one of the best choices for the project.

The second answer is the following: the best language is the language that will guarantee customer satisfaction. It depends on the market, development team, and so on, but the focus should be on the customer.

The third answer is in the classic triangle good-cheap-fast. Pick the language that covers this triangle the best way, focus on pros, consider cons, and build the best application possible in your case.

These three answers conclude my thoughts on the question of the best programming language. Use them to pick the best language for your project, and the outcome should give you an excellent boost to build a successful project.