Programming languages are essential tools that empower developers to create innovative solutions. In this article, we will dive into the 10 programming languages considered the worst in terms of their complexities, limitations, and overall user experience.
> COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) was designed in the late 1950s to handle business data processing. While it served its purpose well in its heyday, COBOL has become outdated and un widely used in this today’s time. Its verbose syntax, lack of modern features, and limited support make it a challenging language to work with, particularly for beginners.
COBOL’s main strength lies in its ability to handle legacy systems that have been in operation for decades. Many large organizations still rely on COBOL code to process critical business operations. However, due to its outdated nature, finding developers proficient in COBOL is becoming increasingly difficult, leading to compatibility and maintenance issues.
For beginners, COBOL’s steep learning curve can be overwhelming. Its verbose syntax and unconventional coding style make it less intuitive compared to more modern languages. As a result, developers often find it frustrating and time-consuming to write and maintain COBOL code.
> INTERCAL, short for Compiler Language With No Pronounceable Acronym, is a deliberately obfuscated programming language created as a parody. It was designed to be as confusing and unreadable as possible, making it a nightmare for programmers to work with.
INTERCAL is an example of an esoteric programming language, which focuses on challenging conventional programming practices. Its bizarre syntax, such as using statements like “PLEASE” and “DO NOT” instead of more common constructs, makes it intentionally difficult to comprehend and maintain.
One of the defining features of INTERCAL is its love for randomness. The language encourages the use of unpredictable elements, including unconventional variable names and random program behavior, which adds another layer of complexity and confusion for programmers.
> Brainfuck is an esoteric programming language known for its minimalistic design and extreme simplicity. It was created to challenge programmers and push the boundaries of what can be achieved with the fewest possible commands.
Brainfuck consists of only eight commands: “+”, “-”, “>”, “<”, “.”, “,”, “[“, and “]”. With this limited set of instructions, writing even a basic program can be an arduous task. Its lack of readability and highly condensed syntax make it inaccessible for most programmers, especially beginners.
Brainfuck’s unconventional approach to programming logic can twist even the most seasoned developer’s mind. The language operates on a tape, a one-dimensional array of memory cells, and the programmer manipulates the values in these cells using the commands. Understanding and effectively utilizing this unique system requires a significant mental shift.
> Malbolge holds the reputation for being the most difficult programming language ever devised. It was deliberately designed to be impossible to write programs in and was intended as a challenge to programmers.
Malbolge takes the concept of difficulty to an entirely new level. Its extremely convoluted syntax, intricate encoding, and intentional obfuscation make even the simplest programs an exercise in frustration. The language’s core principle revolves around self-modifying code, where the program continuously changes itself as it executes.
In most programming languages, the “Hello, World!” program is the first step in learning. In Malbolge, it took two years for developers to create a working “Hello, World!” program, highlighting the mind-bending complexities and sheer difficulty of this language.
> Whitespace is a programming language that uses only whitespace characters such as spaces, tabs, and line breaks. It completely ignores any non-whitespace characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols, making it a uniquely challenging language to work with.
In Whitespace, the actual code is invisible, consisting only of whitespace characters. This means that programmers need to carefully structure the code using spaces, tabs, and line breaks to achieve the desired functionality. Debugging becomes an intricate task as even the smallest error in whitespace formatting can lead to program failure.
Despite its challenges, Whitespace has attracted a small community of enthusiasts who view it as an artistic expression of programming. This unconventional language demonstrates that creativity knows no bounds, even when constrained by invisible characters.
> LOLCODE is a programming language inspired by the world of internet memes, particularly the LOLCat phenomenon. It adopts a playful and humorous approach to programming, but its novelty quickly wears off when it comes to serious coding projects.
LOLCODE incorporates internet slang, memes, and cute cat-related phrases into its syntax, resulting in a language that is difficult to take seriously. While it may bring a smile to your face, the lack of standardization, limited libraries, and poor community support make LOLCODE ill-suited for practical programming tasks.
In LOLCODE, variables are referred to as “cheezburger,” and loops are called “IM IN YR.” This playful terminology, while amusing at first, can quickly become confusing and hinder the clarity of code.
> ArnoldC is a programming language inspired by the iconic actor and former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. It uses quotes from his movies as keywords and aims to bring some action movie flair to the world of programming.
ArnoldC takes simplicity to the extreme. Its syntax is limited to a few basic commands inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous movie lines. While this may seem fun and entertaining, the lack of practicality and complexity makes it unsuitable for real-world programming projects.
ArnoldC’s error messages are not your typical technical jargon. Instead, they consist of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous catchphrases, injecting humor into the debugging process. While amusing, this unconventional approach can be confusing for programmers, especially those unfamiliar with the actor’s movies.
> Befunge is an esoteric programming language known for its two-dimensional grid-based execution model. It challenges programmers with its unconventional control flow and unpredictable behavior.
Befunge’s two-dimensional grid allows the program to move in multiple directions, creating a complex maze-like structure. This unorthodox control flow makes it difficult to understand the execution path and predict the program’s behavior, adding an extra layer of confusion and frustration.
Befunge’s commands include arrows (>, <, ^, and v) to control the program’s movement, as well as mathematical and logical operations. Understanding the purpose and functionality of these commands requires significant effort and mental gymnastics.
In this section, we revisit INTERCAL to dive deeper into its peculiarities and shed light on why it stands out among the worst programming languages.
INTERCAL’s unconventional design and intention to confuse programmers set it apart from other programming languages. It challenges the fundamental principles and expectations we have when working with code, making it an incredibly frustrating language for even the most experienced developers.
Despite its status as one of the worst programming languages, INTERCAL continues to pique the curiosity of programming enthusiasts. It’s esoteric nature and rebellious spirit make it a subject of fascination, attracting those who enjoy unraveling its mysteries.
> Piet is an esoteric programming language that takes a unique approach to coding by using graphical images as the primary means of writing programs. It was created by David Morgan-Mar and is inspired by the abstract art movement called Piet Mondrian.
In Piet, programmers represent code using colorful blocks and patterns. Each color and pattern combination corresponds to a specific command or instruction. The flow of the program is determined by traversing the connected blocks, creating a visual journey through the program’s logic.
One of the biggest hurdles in Piet is interpreting the graphical representations into executable code. It requires careful analysis of the colors, shapes, and their connections to understand the intended functionality. This unique approach to programming adds an extra layer of complexity and requires a different mindset compared to traditional text-based programming languages.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored ten programming languages that are considered the worst due to their complexities, limitations, and unconventional design choices.
While these languages may offer unique challenges and opportunities for those seeking unconventional programming experiences, they are generally not recommended for beginners or developers looking to build practical applications.
It’s crucial to choose programming languages that align with your goals, skills, and the demands of the projects you wish to undertake. By avoiding these ten worst programming languages, you can focus on learning and mastering languages that offer better support, community resources, and career
Originally published at https://infotechkeeda.com on July 3, 2023.