Programming Languages I Hope to Never Work with Again

As a seasoned software developer, I#8217;ve worked with a multitude of programming languages. Some have left lasting impressions, while others have not. In this article, we explore the languages that have made our lives as coders more challenging, and the reasons behind why we hope to avoid them.

The Pitfalls of Visual Basic

One such language that I vow never to work with again is Microsoft#8217;s Visual Basic. The constant breaking changes in Microsoft#8217;s APIs make it a maintenance nightmare. I have made a firm commitment to not use any Microsoft languages in my career, prioritizing my sanity above all.

Visual Basic is a testament to the importance of stable, well-designed APIs in a programming language. When APIs come with frequent changes, it can lead to inconsistencies and bugs that are difficult to resolve. This is the primary reason why I hope to avoid Visual Basic in my future projects.

The Exasperation with Java

Another language that has caused me significant annoyance is Java. While I understand and appreciate the principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in theory, the enforced OOP paradigm in Java can make simple tasks unnecessarily complicated. The presence of too much unnecessary cruft in the language adds to the frustration. Additionally, the statically typed nature of Java is not to my preference, as it can be restrictive and cumbersome when compared to dynamically typed languages like Python or JavaScript.

It is interesting to note that despite the mentioned challenges, languages like C, Pascal, and Go have remained relatively pleasant to work with. This highlights the importance of simplicity and clarity in a programming language.

Making a Return to the Past: BASIC and Legacy Systems

A few systems that I have a mixed feeling towards are BASIC-based languages. These languages, like the Ohio Superboard/UK101 Microsoft BASIC with 4K of RAM, have some limitations that make them challenging to work with. Similarly, CommoTreasure Pet BASIC, while pleasant to program, has its own set of constraints with the lack of local variables or functions. Finally, languages like dBase 2, 3, and 4, which are highly outdated, are also difficult to use due to their poor syntax and design.

Despite the challenges, BASIC remains a nostalgia-driven choice for those who learned to code on these early systems. The key to working with older languages is understanding the limitations and traps of each, such as the misuse of curly braces for blocks in C versus indents in Python.

The PHP Ecosystem: A Modern Headache

When it comes to modern programming environments, I find myself fearing the PHP ecosystem. Unlike some other languages, my disdain for PHP is not because it is loosely typed or interpreted, although those are valid concerns. Instead, it is the overwhelming and poorly-engineered frameworks that make this language unwieldy.

With a low barrier to entry, many developers jump into PHP development, leading to a proliferation of poorly-implemented frameworks. This has created a churn of poorly-engineered and feature-incomplete projects, such as Magento. The ecosystem's issues stem from a lack of cohesive, well-designed solutions, leading to frustration and the urge to find alternative languages or frameworks.

When I was first introduced to PHP in 2001, the environment was refreshing and enjoyable. However, with the abundance of poorly implemented and thoughtless frameworks, working with PHP has become a frustrating experience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of quality and design in software development.