Thousands and Thousands of Languages.

Many thousands of computer languages have been invented. There are several hundred languages still actively being used. This sounds like a terrible situation, but it is not, because of:

1. All computer programming languages are fundamentally the same.
   • All programmers have the same fundamental understanding of programming, regardless of what particular programming language they use.
2. Any program can be written with any programming language.
   • However, some languages are more effective for some types of programs.

It is hard to explain why these two things are true without going into details. A (rather crude) analogy is that computer programming is like music:

1. All music is fundamentally the same: it consists of musical tones and rhythm.
   • All musicians have the same fundamental understanding of music, no matter what instrument they play.
2. Any song can be played on any instrument.
   • However, a lullaby is not effective when played upon drums.

All programming languages contain the same fundamental features. You will see all of these features in this course. (There are surprisingly few fundamental features.) The difference between languages is mostly a matter of emphasis and convenience.