The benefits of learning languages that you won

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Closed 8 years ago.

I have read numerous time that learning a language such as Haskell, Lisp or Smalltalk will somehow make you a better programmer while you program in other languages.

Is there more than just anecdotal evidence for that claim? Or is it just the way people rationalize having spend a lot of time learning a programming language that they will never use?

Answer 1

Different languages have different ways of implementing the same ideas. By learning new languages, you get a different perspective on how things can be accomplished, and can then use that knowledge to approach how you program in your current environment. Think about object oriented and functional programming. OO Programmers can learn a lot about parrellization from languages like C.

Answer 2

I think learning languages will always benefit you even if you don't use them again. I started playing with Ioke as an attempt to learn something experimental and because of it my JavaScript has improved because certain ideas have been cemented.

learning a new language will possibly give you new insights that you will try translate to your main language.

Answer 3

What are the benefits of learning mathematics or physics that you won't use, or the benefits of studying philosophy or dead tongues?

It's the intellectual achievement and the enlightenment what matters, you will be a wiser person with any new thing that you learn, no matter if they are programming languages, literature, role playing games... of course if it's related to your working field, then you'll actually find a use, sooner or later :-)

Answer 4

A great side-effect of learning new languages is the potential for application in your existing language.

For instance, I'm a Java programmer and I took the time to learn my first functional language (Haskell). I was recently asked to learn Scala for an upcoming project. This is extremely easy since I understand the comcepts of guards, recursion, etc. from Haskell.

Answer 5

It's entirely subjective, but way back when, after taking an undergraduate course in Haskell, I did notice that my programming style in C became more 'Haskell-like' for a while; I used a lot of simple, recursive functions. I also noticed that this programming style seemed to yield some of the same benefits programming in Haskell had; bugs were fewer, code was easier to understand (albeit slower).

So, while learning another programming language may not make everyone a better programmer, it definitely was a learning experience for me, personally.

Answer 6

Bryond what has already been said, I really like new languages just because it can bring new interest to programming. You learn different ways to approach problems and the strengths/weaknesses of certain languages. It is something new to learn and any good programmer should be striving to always be learning new things. It mixes up your daily routine of possibly programming in the same language for years.

I also like what everyone has said about programming perspective.