Why do coders learn so many programming languages?

Question

Why isn't it fine to learn 1 and master it?

Answer 1

Different programming languages are better for different tasks. For example, JS is good for writing web applications. Python with Django and Ruby with Ruby on Rails are also good for writing big web applications. C is good for writing drivers and firmware for embedded systems. C++ is good for writing drivers and games. Rust is good for writing thread-safe and highly parallel code. C# and Java are good for writing consistent cross-platform code in a simple manner. Swift is good for iOS development. R is good for scientific research and data mining.

I could go on and on. Of course you could also write a game in C#, or Firmware in Rust, or a web app in C++. Programming languages usually share lots of features, so you can use any programming language for anything, but some programming languages make stuff easier.

Writing a web app in C++ is really hard and unintuitive, whereas writing one in JS is incredibly easy and straightforward. But I'd like to see anyone writing firmware for embedded software in JS. You'd probably run out of memory before the program even started.

So on the end, it's all about finding the right tool for the job. I mainly use Rust and Javascript, but sometimes I write programs in Ruby or Python, or Bash. The more languages you know well, the better you can choose the right tool for each task.

Answer 2

The more languages you learn, the better you understand how computers/programming works though in the end you only use one usually...

Answer 3

I understand why each language has its unique purpose. What I don't understand is why a data scientist( for example) would learn JS instead of just focusing on R.

Answer 4

Not all programmers learn multiple languages. I personally disagree with learning more than 2, unless someone is a professional in the other 2.

Answer 5

IMO the more languages you become proficient in the more sellable you are to a wider market.
I was working with Assembler, BASIC, Pascal, ASCII, RPG including 2 & 3, COBOL way back in the 70's and 80's, as well as jquery...
Each programming language has its good points and bad points, and reason for their application / use. Just as HTML to HTML5, C sharp to C++, Java to JavaScript, RubyRails, and so on.
No one language covers everything nor is internally or externally script secure from would be hackers.
I'm sure I'm missing some other points but I'm sure I will think of them later.
True many developers will focus primarily on one or two and thus specialize - nothing wrong with it just as specialist MD ( heart, lung, ortho, gastro, and so on )

Answer 6

to develop several skills, and also depends on the areas in which we operate

Answer 7

I guess the more you know, the more opportunities are available to you.

Answer 8

Just depends what you are working on. Take .Net as example: you can learn VB.net or C# and only work on window forms application. However if you want to work on Web Forms you need to know either vb.net or C#, but also need Html5 Css Javascript Jquery and these are just the basics. It all depends on what you work on.

Answer 9

For me, I started with Visual Basic in Excel for work, then I wanted to dabble in web design so I started learning HTML, PHP, CSS, Java and JQuery is next. I also wanted to learn C# since it's similar to VB which lets me use my skills in more than Excel. Things like Ruby/Python I don't feel will benefit me at this time so I will hold off on them so as to not confuse myself while learning the others.

Answer 10

In Persian there is a sentence:
every flower has a smale!!