Comment by xorvoid

Human language doesn’t stay the same over 100 years. Is it reasonable to expect that from a computer language?

To be fair, they are different. But, I think close enough to make the analogy stand.

Different idioms, ways of expression arise constantly: come into and out of vogue. Human languages aren’t rigorously defined like computer languages must be. Human languages are loosely specifically by the amorphous collection of “all speakers” (whatever that means). And they evolve along those lines with each generation reshaping the language. Computer languages also change but they tend to hold onto their baggage much more. E.g. C is drowning in all the unchangable legacy from the 70s and 80s.

Is a 100 yr programming language possible? Sure. But it’s gonna feel a lot like you’re a scholar in 2023 writing a modern academic technical paper in Latin or Early Modern English. Doable, yes. But comical.

In fact, this is arguably already the state of C. Very useful programs are still written in it. And it feels like Early Modern English. Does that matter? Idk. But as the current trend in programming goes, most young engineers won’t be happy with this dynamic.

Personally, I suspect we get it just because we have so many damn programs in the world. But I can’t imagine anyone will count it as a success.