The 5 Rarest Programming Languages

So, here I am, a relatively new programmer, staring at the endless ocean of programming languages. Sure, I could stick to the usual suspects — Python, JavaScript, or Java — but where’s the excitement in that? I’ve decided to go down the rabbit hole of rare programming languages, because I figure if the world ends up needing experts in one of these obscure languages, I’ll be that person. Let’s dive into these 5 rarest gems of programming languages, and who knows, one day we might build something with them!

Rust — The “Safe but Fast” Rebel

I’ve heard a lot of buzz about Rust lately, and honestly, it just sounds cool. It’s safe, meaning it doesn’t let you do crazy stuff with memory like C/C++, but it’s also super fast. Perfect for those system-level applications that I plan to build… someday.

fn main() {
    println!("Hello, safe world!");
}

IDE Recommendation:

• IntelliJ IDEA with the Rust plugin.
• VS Code with the Rust extension.

Applications:

Rust is used in system-level programming, like operating systems (think Redox OS) and web browsers (Mozilla’s Firefox uses Rust!).

Rust is like that up-and-coming star you know is going to make it big. It was designed to give developers the performance and control of low-level languages like C and C++, but without all the headaches of managing memory manually. In short, Rust is fast, safe, and modern — a rare combination.

Rust has been gaining momentum across various industries, from systems programming to web development, and it’s not just a fleeting trend. With backing from Mozilla and a growing community, Rust is poised to take on more responsibilities in the tech world. And I’m ready to dive in, because who doesn’t want to be both fast and safe?

Q — For the Data Wizards

Nope, not just a letter of the alphabet! Q is a language specifically designed for time-series databases, especially in financial applications. So, if I ever get into high-frequency trading (who knows?), Q will be my secret weapon.

Q is a language that’s part of the Kdb+ database system, which is super popular in finance, especially for high-frequency trading and analytics. It’s designed for handling large datasets and performing complex queries quickly — think of it as the secret sauce that helps us crunch numbers in real time.

One of the cool things about Q is its ability to handle time-series data. In finance, we’re constantly working with prices over time, so having a language that excels in that area is a game-changer. I can easily slice and dice data, calculate moving averages, or even backtest trading strategies without breaking a sweat.

select avg price by sym from trade where date = 2024.09.15

IDE Recommendation:

• Kdb+ Studio (A dedicated IDE for working with Q).
• QPad (Popular among Q developers).

Applications:

Used primarily in finance, Q is like SQL on steroids when it comes to handling huge amounts of trading data. Wall Street, here I come!

Hack — PHP’s Cooler Sibling

Okay, Hack is like PHP, but it’s Facebook’s version, and if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me! Hack is known for its typing system and can catch errors early, which PHP struggles with sometimes.

<?hh
function say_hello(): void {
    echo "Hello, Hack!";
}

IDE Recommendation:

• PHPStorm with the Hack plugin.
• VS Code (with the Hack extension).

Applications:

Facebook itself uses Hack, so it’s perfect for large-scale web applications. Basically, if you want to build the next Facebook, Hack might be your go-to.

Ada — The Language That Keeps Airplanes in the Air

Ada feels like it’s from a time when computers were the size of a room. It’s used in critical systems like aviation, railroads, and military applications. It’s all about safety, so if you make a mistake, Ada will not have it.

with Ada.Text_IO;
procedure Hello is
begin
   Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Hello, Ada!");
end Hello;

IDE Recommendation:

• GNAT Studio (An IDE for Ada).
• AdaCore (Specialized tools for Ada).

Applications:

You know those systems that you really don’t want to fail? Ada is behind them. Think air traffic control systems, missile guidance systems, and other “don’t crash” applications.

Haskell — The Pure, Lazy Genius

I’ve heard that Haskell is for the mathematically inclined (which I am… when I’m not avoiding math). It’s a purely functional language, which basically means no side effects, ever. Imagine writing code that’s more about what you want to do than how to do it.

main = putStrLn "Hello, Haskell!"

DE Recommendation:

• IntelliJ IDEA with the Haskell plugin.
• VS Code with the Haskell extension.

Applications:

Haskell is used in financial systems, compilers, and data analysis. It’s like a secret weapon for people who want to write bug-free code, forever.