8.3 Important Features of Programming Languages
8.3.1 Introduction
There are two quite different views on how to choose a programming language. The first is held (usually) by academics, compiler writers, and standards committees. Here, language features are carefully listed, defined, and assessed; then, languages are compared on a point-by-point basis using an unbiased, objective approach.
Figure 8.19: Relating packages, artifacts, and dependencies
The second method, used by most practicing software designers, assesses languages within the context of their own work. Evaluation is supposedly objective. In fact, it tends to be highly subjective, prejudiced, and emotional, with opinions being held fanatically. Rational arguments rarely change fanatic beliefs.
Even accepting that exponents of new languages might be given a fair hearing, there are other significant factors to be considered. Many have nothing to do with languages; instead, they are tied up...
