Comparing Programming Languages
Programming languages are tools, and like tools, different ones suit different jobs. While syntax varies, the underlying concepts – variables, functions, loops – appear everywhere. Learning one language makes learning others much easier.
The Same Program, Different Languages
Here's a simple greeting function in four languages:
# Python
def greet(name):
return "Hello, " + name
print(greet("Alice"))
// TypeScript
function greet(name: string): string {
return "Hello, " + name;
}
console.log(greet("Alice"));
// Go
func greet(name string) string {
return "Hello, " + name
}
fmt.Println(greet("Alice"))
// Java
public static String greet(String name) {
return "Hello, " + name;
}
System.out.println(greet("Alice"));
All four do the same thing. The differences are surface-level.
Syntax Differences
Indentation vs Braces: Python uses indentation to group code. Most other languages use curly braces {}:
# Python: indentation matters
if x > 0:
print("positive")
// JavaScript: braces define blocks
if (x > 0) {
console.log("positive");
}
Semicolons: Some languages require semicolons at line ends; Python doesn't.
Parentheses: Some languages require parentheses around conditions; Python makes them optional.
Dynamic vs Static Typing
This is a more significant difference. Python uses dynamic typing – you don't declare variable types:
x = 42 # Python figures out x is an integer
x = "hello" # Now x is a string – no problem
Languages like TypeScript, Go, and Java use static typing – you declare types upfront:
let x: number = 42;
x = "hello"; // Error! x must be a number
Dynamic typing is flexible and quick to write. Errors appear at runtime.
Static typing catches type errors before code runs. It requires more upfront work but prevents certain bugs.
Why This Matters
Understanding that languages share concepts gives you confidence. You're not learning "Python" – you're learning programming, using Python as your first language.
When you encounter TypeScript, Go, or any other language, you'll recognize the patterns. The syntax is just notation. AI coding agents can help translate between languages, but your understanding of the underlying concepts is what makes you effective.