“Hello, World!” Program in Top 25 Computer Programming Languages

Goutham
7 min readAug 2, 2023

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Discover the origin and significance of the iconic phrase “Hello World” in the world of programming

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is “Hello, World!” Program?
  3. The Importance of “Hello, World!” Program.
  4. The story of “hello world”
  5. Top 20 Computer Programming Languages
    -5.1. Python
    -5.2. Java
    -5.3 C
    -5.4. C++
    -5.5. JavaScript
    -5.6. C#
    -5.7. Ruby
    -5.8. Swift
    -5.9. Go
    -5.10. PHP
    -5.11. Kotlin
    -5.12. Rust
    -5.13. TypeScript
    -5.14. Objective-C
    -5.15. Dart
    -5.16. Perl
    -5.17. Lua
    -5.18. MATLAB
    -5.19. R
    -5.20. COBOL
    -5.21. Fortran
    -5.22. Pascal
    -5.23. Binary
    -5.24. HTML
    -5.25. Scala
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

Introduction

Programming languages form the backbone of modern software development, enabling us to communicate with computers and instruct them to perform specific tasks. One of the most iconic and fundamental programs in the programming world is the “Hello, World!” program. This program, often written by beginners learning a new language, aims to display the phrase “Hello, World!” on the screen. In this article, we will explore how to write the “Hello, World!” program in the top 23 computer programming languages, including some old ones and unique cases.

What is “Hello, World!” Program?

The “Hello, World!” program serves as a simple and concise way to test and understand the basic syntax and structure of a programming language. It acts as a gateway for beginners to familiarize themselves with a new language by demonstrating the fundamental principles, such as printing output to the console. The program typically consists of just a few lines of code but plays a crucial role in the learning process for aspiring programmers.

The Importance of “Hello, World!” Program

Though seemingly trivial, the significance of the “Hello, World!” program is profound. It offers several benefits, such as:

1. Syntax Familiarization: Writing this program introduces beginners to the language’s syntax and basic programming constructs.

2. Instant Feedback: It provides immediate feedback, indicating whether the development environment and compiler or interpreter are set up correctly.

3. Confidence Booster: Successfully running the program boosts the confidence of beginners, encouraging them to explore further.

4. Basis for Complex Programs: The “Hello, World!” program serves as the foundation for building more intricate applications.

5. Universal Language Comparison: By comparing the same program across multiple languages, one can understand the differences and similarities between them.

The story of “hello world”

In the latter part of the 1970s, an eminent computer scientist named Brian Kernighan found himself engrossed in a groundbreaking endeavor. He was a valuable member of a distinguished team working on a revolutionary programming language titled “B” at the renowned Bell Labs, a language that would eventually metamorphose into the widely adopted “C.”

During the development process of the B language, the team encountered the need for a simple and concise program to thoroughly test the language’s functionality. They sought an uncomplicated method to showcase their language’s capability in handling basic input and output operations. It was then that Brian Kernighan, in collaboration with his esteemed colleague Dennis Ritchie, conceived a truly ingenious notion.

Their plan involved crafting a small yet effective program that would gracefully display the phrase “hello, world” on the computer screen. The choice of this particular phrase was deliberately simple and hospitable, serving as a warm and friendly greeting from the computer to the programmer. It was meant to be an unthreatening and easily comprehensible example, specifically tailored for those embarking on their journey to learn the art of coding.

Top 25 Computer Programming Languages

Here are the top 25 computer programming languages, including both established ones and some unique cases.

5.1. Python


print(“Hello, World!”)

Python, known for its readability and simplicity, is an excellent language for beginners. It excels in web development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.

5.2. Java


public class HelloWorld {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(“Hello, World!”);
}
}

Java, renowned for its platform independence, is widely used for enterprise-level applications and Android app development.

5.3. C

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
printf("Hello, World!\n");
return 0;
}

C is a powerful and widely used programming language that was developed in the early 1970s at Bell Labs by Dennis Ritchie. It is a general-purpose, procedural programming language known for its efficiency, portability, and low-level memory access capabilities.

5.4. C++

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
cout << "Hello, World!" << endl;
return 0;
}

C++, a powerful language with a vast application domain, is popular in systems programming and game development.

5.5. JavaScript


console.log(“Hello, World!”);

JavaScript, primarily used for web development, enables interactive and dynamic user experiences on websites.

5.6. C#

using System;
class Program {
static void Main() {
Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
}
}

C#, developed by Microsoft, is a versatile language for Windows applications and game development using Unity.

5.7. Ruby

puts “Hello, World!”

Ruby, known for its elegant and expressive syntax, is commonly used for web development and automation.

5.8. Swift


print(“Hello, World!”)

Swift, Apple’s language for iOS and macOS app development, is renowned for its safety and performance.

5.9. Go


package main
import "fmt"

func main() {
fmt.Println("Hello, World!")
}

Go, designed for concurrent programming, is popular for building scalable and efficient applications.

5.10. PHP


<?php
echo “Hello, World!”;
?>

PHP, a server-side scripting language, is widely used in web development to create dynamic websites.

5.11. Kotlin


fun main() {
println(“Hello, World!”)
}

Kotlin, interoperable with Java, is widely used for Android app development and server-side applications.

5.12. Rust


fn main() {
println!(“Hello, World!”);
}

Rust, known for its focus on safety and performance, is often used in system-level programming.

5.13. TypeScript


console.log(“Hello, World!”);

TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript, adds static typing, making large-scale web applications more maintainable.

5.14. Objective-C

#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>

int main() {
@autoreleasepool {
NSLog(@"Hello, World!");
}
return 0;
}

Objective-C, predominantly used for macOS and iOS app development, was the primary language for Apple’s platforms before Swift.

5.15. Dart


void main() {
print(“Hello, World!”);
}

Dart, often used for developing cross-platform mobile apps, is the language behind Flutter, Google’s UI toolkit.

5.16. Perl


print “Hello, World!\n”;

Perl, known for its powerful text-processing capabilities, is used for web development and system administration.

5.17. Lua


print(“Hello, World!”)

Lua, designed for embedding in applications, is commonly used in game development and scripting.

5.18. MATLAB


disp(‘Hello, World!’);

MATLAB, widely used in scientific and engineering applications, is known for its powerful mathematical capabilities.

5.19. R


cat(“Hello, World!\n”)

R, designed for statistical computing and graphics, is extensively used in data analysis and research.

5.20. COBOL


IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. HelloWorld.
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
DISPLAY ‘Hello, World!’.
STOP RUN.

COBOL, one of the oldest programming languages, is still utilized in mainframe applications and financial systems.

5.21. Fortran


PROGRAM HelloWorld
PRINT *, “Hello, World!”
END PROGRAM HelloWorld

Fortran, the oldest high-level programming language, is widely used in scientific and engineering applications.

5.22. Pascal


program HelloWorld;
begin
writeln(‘Hello, World!’);
end.

Pascal, an educational language, was instrumental in shaping the early programming community.

5.23. Binary


01001000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111 00101100 00100000 01010111 01101111 01110010 01101100 01100100 00100001

Binary, representing data using only two symbols (0 and 1), requires understanding the ASCII code to display “Hello, World!”

5.24. HTML


<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Hello, World!</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Hello, World!</h1>
</body>
</html>

HTML, the backbone of web development, creates the structure for displaying “Hello, World!” on a web page.

The debate over whether HTML is a programming language or not revolves around its declarative nature. While HTML defines the structure and content of web pages, it lacks traditional programming logic and features. Its role in web development and ability to control web page behavior through attributes and event handling blur the lines between markup and programming.

5.25. Scala

object HelloWorld {
def main(args: Array[String]): Unit = {
println("Hello, World!")
}
}

Scala is a modern, general-purpose programming language that combines object-oriented and functional programming paradigms. It was designed to address some of the shortcomings of Java and provide a more expressive and concise syntax while maintaining full compatibility with Java.

Now that we have explored the top 25 programming languages, including some old ones and unique cases, let’s conclude with a summary of how the “Hello, World!” program looks in each of them.

Conclusion

The “Hello, World!” program serves as a timeless rite of passage for programmers delving into a new programming language. From classic C++ to modern and versatile Python, each language has its strengths and areas of application. Aspiring developers can use this simple program to grasp the syntax and approach of various languages, setting them on their journey to becoming proficient coders.

FAQs

1. Q: What is the significance of the “Hello, World!” program?
A: The “Hello, World!” program is essential for beginners as it introduces them to the syntax and structure of a new programming language and boosts their confidence.

2. Q: Why are some programming languages considered old or unique cases?
A: Old or unique cases programming languages are those that have been around for a long time or have specific niche applications.

3. Q: Which programming language is best for web development?
A: JavaScript and its frameworks are popular choices for web development due to their ability to create interactive and dynamic user experiences.

4. Q: Can I build Android apps with Kotlin?
A: Yes, Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java and is widely used for Android app development.

5. Q: What is the purpose of Binary code?
A: Binary code represents data using only two symbols (0 and 1) and is the fundamental language of computers, directly understood by hardware.

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