How many languages do developers need to know?

Kent Sharkey

ReadWrite[^]:

Big companies like Apple, Facebook and Google are developing their own programming languages, forcing developers to adapt.

Just one (and zero)

mikepwilson

At least a few. The mental bottleneck of only knowing one language makes for some really crappy programmers.

phil o

42, I'm sure this is the answer.

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who separate humankind in two distinct categories, and those who don't. "I have two hobbies: breasts." DSK

PIEBALDconsult

Kent Sharkey wrote:

forcing developers to adapt

Not at all. Other than maybe their own developers, no one is forced. I have no interest in developing for iOS, and I briefly looked at developing for Android before giving up. A developer only needs to know one general purpose language, that one may depend on which environment is being targetted. And domain-specific languages (e.g. SQL, Javascript) may also be required by the environment. However, having some experience with several general purpose languages can make for a more well-rounded developer. To some extent, these "niche" languages that appear to target one particular OS or VM are limiting their own success. I haven't looked at Xamarin yet, but I would very much like to have the ability to use C# on Android and iOS. And OpenVMS.

You'll never get very far if all you do is follow instructions.

thrakazog

I guess that's one way to limit them stealing talent from each other. You only know the facebook language? No reason for google to hire you. "I only speak two languages: English and bad English."

Play my game Gravity: Android[^], Windows Phone 7[^]