Speak Our Language! What Are Programming Languages,
and How Are They Different?
Interested in computer coding and want to know more about different programming languages? Interested in becoming a web developer? Asking yourself, what are programming languages and how are they different? Learn more about the different types including client-side, server-side, and database programming languages, and how they facilitate an interface between the user and server.
Client-side programming languages that are used widely in the industry include JavaScript, VBScript, HTML, CSS, AJAX, and jQuery. Popular server-side programming languages are Java, C and C++, Visual C#, PHP, Perl, Ruby on Rails, and Python. There are also database programming languages, including SQL.
What Are Programming Languages?
Programming languages are formal computer coding languages designed to communicate instructions to a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine or to express algorithms. (Explanations of terms you may not understand follow below.)
All programming languages have some primitive building blocks for the description of data and the processes or transformation applied to them. These primitives are defined by syntax and semantic rules. A programming language’s surface form is known as its syntax. Semantics refers to the meaning of languages, rather than its syntax.
Client-Side Programming Languages
Client-side programming languages make web pages interactive and help them work dynamically as an interface between the user and the server.
JavaScript Programming Language JavaScript is the most widely used scripting language. JavaScript is used to add dynamic behavior to web pages, including animations and improved interactivity.
VBScript Programming Language VBScript (Visual Basic Scripting Edition) is an active scripting language developed by Microsoft and can be used to create applications that run directly on a workstation running Microsoft Windows.
HTML Programming Language HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is a specification of the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) that provides markup of documents for display in a web browser. HTML is a standard markup language for creating web pages and web applications. HTML markup consists of tags, character-based data types, character references, and entity references.
The World Wide Web is composed primarily of HTML documents transmitted from web servers to web browsers using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The most up-to-date version of HTML is HTML5. HTML5 is the current version of the HTML standard.
CSS Programming Language CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in a markup language. CSS is designed to manage a document’s presentation, including layout, colors, fonts, and other aspects of the document. CSS3 is the latest standard for CSS.
AJAX Programming Language AJAX is a set of web development techniques using many web technologies on the client side to create asynchronous web applications. AJAX allows web pages and web applications the ability to change dynamically without the need to reload the entire page.
jQuery Programming Language jQuery is a cross-platform JavaScript library designed to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML, handle events, perform animations, and AJAX. Popular with mobile web applications and programming is jQuery Mobile. jQuery Mobile is a touch-optimized web framework or mobile framework. The development of jQuery Mobile focuses on creating a framework compatible with a wide variety of smartphones and tablet computers.
Server-Side Programming Languages
The server-side programming languages are scripts that are executed on the server and are then translated into client-side programming languages like HTML.
Java Programming Language Java is a general-purpose computer coding language that is concurrent, class-based, and object-oriented. Java is used for client/server web applications and derived much of its syntax from C and C++.
C and C++ Programming Languages C was developed in the 1970s, and most of the code for general-purpose operating systems is written in C or C++. C++ enhances C to provide capabilities for object-oriented programming.
Visual C# Programming Language Visual C# (pronounced “C sharp”) was developed by Microsoft to integrate the internet and the web into computer applications.
PHP Programming Language PHP is an object-oriented, open-source scripting language used by millions of websites. PHP can be used in conjunction with all major UNIX, Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems. PHP also supports many databases, including MySQL which is open-source as well.
Perl Programming Language Perl (Practical Extraction and Report Language) is widely used for object-oriented scripting languages for web coding and features rich text-processing capabilities.
Ruby on Rails Programming Language Ruby was created in the mid-1990s as an open-source language for object-oriented programming. Ruby on Rails combines the scripting language of Ruby with the Rails web application framework developed by 37signals (now called Basecamp).
Python Programming Language Python is an object-oriented scripting language. Python is a general-purpose and dynamic coding language designed to make scripting easier than C++ and Java.
Database Programming Languages
Structured Query Language (SQL) is a special-purpose language for managing data in relational database management systems. SQL is the only language that most databases understand. A popular open-source relational database management system used for web applications is MySQL.
What Is an Algorithm?
An algorithm is a procedure or formula for solving a problem, based on conducting a sequence of specific actions. A computer program can be viewed as an elaborate algorithm.
What Is Open-Source?
Open-source programming languages or software, for instance, are freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Many open-source programming languages gain more traction because they promote universal access and a community aggregates around the open-source programming language to help each other work together to solve complex problems.
What Is Object-Oriented Programming?
Object-oriented programming is a form of computer coding based on objects arranged in a branching hierarchy. Object-oriented programming is considered a programming paradigm based on the concept of objects that contain data in the form of fields or attributes and code in the form of procedures or methods.
What Is the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium)?
The W3C is the main international standard organization for the World Wide Web.
Web Application Design and Development Program
Are you ready to take the next step in your career and go from a beginning computer coding student to an entry-level, full-stack web developer? Learn how to code and design web and mobile responsive applications professionally in a full-time immersive course.
The Hunter Business School Web Application Design and Development program covers both front-end and back-end web development topics, starting with client-side programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, then gradually advancing to object-oriented programming, Enterprise Java, and database design.
Through a series of hands-on projects, the Web Application Design and Development program allows students not only to cultivate an understanding of computer programming concepts, but also learn to work in a collaborative team environment, practice software development methodology skills, and prepare a sizable portfolio for their new career.
The assignments focus on solving the common challenges of today’s IT industry, thus preparing computer coding students for a successful career in the field of information technology. Those who successfully complete courses WA100 through WA230 will then move on to a 180-hour externship (WA240) in order to graduate from the Web Application Design and Development program.
During externship, Web Application Design and Development students use programming skills and languages they have studied in school, apply them to real-world projects, and gain initial experience at IT departments of major employers across Long Island and New York City.
Externs work in team environments with a broad range of technologies and are mentored by a variety of experienced IT professionals. Students who excel on externship and fit the host company’s culture may be offered an employment opportunity at the end of the Web Application Design and Development program.
Since admission to the Web Application Design and Development program is competitive, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admittance to the program. All components of the approval process are considered in making the decision to accept a student.
First, you must meet the following requirements to apply to be a student in Hunter Business School’s Web Application Design and Development program
- Complete an interview with an Admissions representative
- Pass a program assessment test
- Submit a professional résumé or curriculum vitae
- Offer an essay prior to an interview with a Web Application Design and Development program faculty member, topic to be provided by the Admissions department
- Supply a letter of recommendation from a professional
- Prove proficiency in navigating the internet and use of Microsoft Office and type a minimum of 25 words per minute
- Own a Windows based laptop computer with the following requirements
- Microsoft Windows 7, 8.x, or 10
- Minimum 8 GB RAM
- Quad-core processor or equivalent
- Minimum 128 GB hard drive
- Wireless internet capability
- Complete an entrance project prior to interview with a program faculty member
- Interview with a program faculty member
If you are looking to learn about computer programming languages, computer coding, or how to make a career creating web apps on Long Island, let us know who you are at Student Inquiries so you can get more information. Or call us at either campus, Medford (631.736.7360) or Levittown (516.796.1000).
References
Deitel and Deitel (2014) Java: How To Program: Early Objects (Tenth Edition). London, United Kingdom: Pearson PLC.
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Client-Side vs Server-Side Programming Languages
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