What is Esolang? Why do Programming Languages Have Weird Names?

Programming Languages are usually created to solve problems using a pre-defined structure. A clear syntax with bug-free, fast, and understandable implementation is highly anticipated. Out of many of them, how many languages strictly stick to these principles?

Many programming languages have logical names that hint what you can anticipate from them. For example, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) and Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) do exactly what they say. Other times, the names can just be the modification of the existing one with a figure or character addition like C++. According to a web development company in Chandigarh, assigning the names can be the toughest task for developers. The website Developer in Chandigarh believes that learning programming is equivalent to learning a new language. In order to manage confusion and make programming interesting and fun, Esolang (esoteric programming languages) came into existence.

Esolang are the programming languages that are created for fun rather than solving serious computer problems. No matter how weird it may sound, every name has an origin. Let’s have a look at a few of the programming languages. Many of them will surprise you.

Python

With intertwined Python as a logo, many of the novices will consider it as a programming language used for protection against snakes! There is no such relation. In 1991 it was first released by a Dutch programmer Guido van Rossum, as a hobby during a Christmas break. It was the derivative of ABC programming language. The programmer was a big fan of Monty Python, which is a British Comedy Group and hence, launched the first script with the name Python. His love for Monty Python is further extended when he swapped ‘spam and eggs’ with “foo and bar” which are the standard tutorial and reference examples.

Ruby

Focused on writing a language that surpasses Python with object-oriented capabilities, Yukihiro Matsumoto designed the Ruby. In terms of scripting power, it supersedes Perl. When it comes to naming the new program, the programmer had an online chat with a colleague called Keiju Ishitsuka for few suggestions. Ruby and Corel were the best out of them; hence, the name Ruby was whittled. It was this simple! However, the real reason behind the decision is much under speculation.

Java

With smart appliances came a need to create a technology to support them, and hence, in early 1990s Java was born. It was obvious that in the sweeping wave of Smart appliances, a smarter technology was much anticipated. Java is the product of Sun’s Green Project. Did you know, initially, Oak was the name given to the programming language. When they ventured into the Internet sector, Oak as a name was already a Trademark, hence a series of a new name was coined including Silk, DNA, and Java. The name Java was picked inspired by Peet’s Coffee & Tea, which is the favorite spot visited by the Sun’s engineers very frequently. However, it is not clear who suggested the name first. Most of the website developer in Chandigarh practice Java, as it widens the horizons for creating a variety of applications or programs.

Perl

Known as Swiss Army Chainsaw of languages, Perl was coined by Larry Wall in late 1980. It provides tremendous flexibility and power. The programmer required a short name with positive connotations. He also considered settling for Gloria (his wife’s name) before ‘pearl’. But dropping the ‘a’ from the ‘pearl’, he named the language ‘perl’, all in lowercase until 1993 when Perl 4 was introduced.

PHP

Rasmus Lerdorf introduced PHP in 1994. It was a set of Common Gateway Interfaces (CGI) Libraries and was coded using C programming Language. It was initially created to track the number of visits on his online resume page. Hence, he named it as Personal Home Page (PHP). Later in September, he developed PHP with the ability to be embedded with HTML. With a completely different expansion to the initial Personal Home Page, now PHP stands for Hypertext Pre-Processor. It is now the most widely used server-side scripting language in the Industry. Most of the projects for web development in Chandigarh are developed in PHP.

The best web development company in Chandigarh noted that the most interesting fact about programming languages is the initial reason behind their development and how they evolve into something very different. Java was created first to interact with toasters, washing Machines, etc. Today it is the IT standard and ruling the web sector. If you are familiar with more programming languages like the ones mentioned with the bizarre names, tell us in the comment section.