My litmus test for whether an argument for JS is valid is replacing "JS" with "PHP" in my head and seeing if it reads the same. PHP did all the same things, but that doesn't make it a good language, it just makes it a language that's easy enough to learn for it to get popular.
Re:My Biggest Regret as a Programmer
by bottled_poe on Wednesday April 06, 2016 @10:32PM
(#11444256)
JS is popular for one reason - browser support.
Indeed. It's the best (shittiest) way to deploy code on as many people's desktops as possible.
Ecactly the environment JavaScript exists in (the open web) is so accessible and awesome, which is why it's popular, and that awesomeness rubs off IMO
There is another - unique async nature from the start. That's why it made its way into node.
It is not popular the same way PHP is popular in any capacity. It really is a unique useful efficient language.
So what's your excuse for the popularity of Java, C++ etc?
Re:My Biggest Regret as a Programmer
by bottled_poe on Thursday April 07, 2016 @03:21AM
(#11445366)
I think the main reason for the popularity of object-oriented languages is that the design corresponds more closely to the physical world, which makes it easier to reason about the architecture of the software.
And that is good.
With things like rust and go backing us up in places where more verbose and static code is beneficial (for performance?) we are finally entering new age which leaves closed corp-controlled "enterprise" things (java, net - looking at you) behind.