Programming Languages

Programming languages are formal languages comprising syntax and semantics used to write software. They fall into paradigms like imperative (C, Java), functional (Haskell, Elixir), object-oriented (C++, Python), and scripting (JavaScript, Ruby). Each language offers unique features: strong typing vs. dynamic typing, compiled vs. interpreted execution, memory management strategies, and standard libraries. Language choice depends on problem domain—C for system-level efficiency, Python for rapid development and data science, JavaScript for web applications. Modern development often involves polyglot architectures, leveraging multiple languages. Understanding language fundamentals (variables, control flow, data structures) is essential for algorithmic thinking and software design.