Why Learn Another Language?

[ LiB ]

Programming languages require a lot of discipline to learn. They each have their own set of formal specifications. They all have unique ways of handling data, data structures, reference mechanisms, and command flow. And underneath all this they each have their own design philosophy. So the question arises: "Why would anyone want to learn a new programming language, let alone three new programming languages?"

Well, first of all, these three high-level languages are great starting places to learn programming. For the most part, they are cleanly designed, well documented, and very kind to new programmers. Despite this, they are not toys. They are flexible and powerful, suited for both large projects and classroom exercises.

Second, every language has its own strength and weaknesses. The decisions you must make during software and game development become easier when more than one possible tool is available to you. In an ideal development environment, problems are solved in a general way and then the best language for a particular job is chosen . It may be difficult in tomorrow's job market for a programmer to get away with knowing only one or two languages well.

Finally, these three languages are really very similar. Much of what you learn from one will be applicable to the others. The more languages you learn, the easier the next one will be to pick up. This compound learning curve eventually begins to work greatly to your advantage, and after enough experience you will get to the point where you can learn a new language in days, simply by relating what is in a given manual to what you already know.

[ LiB ]