|
|
Instant eXpert Guides |
Compares computer language syntax, keywords, variable creation,
array creation, coding styles, commenting styles, numerics, string handling, etc.
Side by side comparisons of Java, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, Python, Rebol, and Ruby.
Every programmer (and software project leader) knows that defining scope is an important task to complete up front. We are limiting the scope of this documentation project to seven (7) computer languages. The seven languages are Java, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, Python, Rebol, and Ruby.
Computer languages are invented by people to solve specific problems. It's useful to know the history of a language to understand it in context. Computer languages have syntax and grammar, and typically go through several versions (or releases). When we are faced with confusing issues or conflicting viewpoints on a language, the links below will provide the definitions and standards we will use to resolve an issue or clarify a point. Some of the links provided below, help us (and might help you) to quickly lookup an unknown item, or sharpen a fuzzy memory. If the author (creator, inventor) of the language has a known blog or personal home page, we provide that (blog, home-page) hyperlink also .
Versions of interest: 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.0, 5.0 (Java versioning is very confusing).
James Gosling (blog) began the creation the Java programming language in 1991,
with his colleagues at Sun Microsystems.
definition, history, code example, characteristics, FAQ, Java home page , language spec. - 3rd ed.
Also known as JScript, JavaScript, or ECMA-Script - the standard version is ECMA-262
Brendan Eich (blog) began the creation of JavaScript in 1995 while at NetScape.
definition, core language elements, code example, FAQ, ECMA-262 spec., Dec. 1999
Versions of interest: 5.6.2, 5.8.x, ActivePerl
Larry Wall (home-page) began the creation of the Perl programming language in 1987.
definition, history, code example, language structure, PerlDoc, FAQ, perl.com, perl.org
Versions of interest: 4.3.11, 4.4.0, 5.0.x
Rasmus Lerdorf (blog,home-page) began writing PHP (as Personal Home Page) in 1994, and PHP was released to the public in 1995.
definition, history, code example, syntax, PHP Docs, FAQ, php.net
Versions of interest: 2.2.3, 2.3.5, 2.4.1, ActivePython
Guido van Rossum (blog,home-page) began writing Python in the early 1990's.
definition, history, syntax, cookbook, doc, FAQ, python.org
Versions of interest: rebol/core 2.3, 2.5.6 ; rebol/view 1.3.1
Carl Sassenrath (blog, home-page) began writing Rebol around the 1996, 1997 time frame.
Rebol is also an acronym for Relative Expression Based Object Language.
definition, syntax, code example, cookbook, doc, FAQ, rebol.com, rebol.net, rebol.org.
Version of interest: 1.8.2
Yukihiro (Matz) Matsumoto began the creation of Ruby in 1993.
definition, history, code examples, doc, FAQ, QuickRef, ruby-lang.org
Beginning study of the Java programming language: