30 replies to this topic

[Melchoire]

What defines a systems level programming language is not whether people choose to write operating systems out of them . People have written operating systems in Python and Java and those are by no means systems level programming languages .

I'm not sure that there is a single definition of what a systems level language is, but from what I've seen, a systems level programming language will usually give you direct access into the kernel to give it hints about what you are trying to do. For example, if you are loading a huge file into memory to read in many applications, you can tell the operating system to keep a handle on the memory and allow other processes to read it as well. You can tell the operating system that you're loading this huge file in, but that you won't need it again so it doesn't need to bother with flushing its buffer cache (thereby not causing evictions for other data that other applications actually will need), etc. In addition, systems level programming languages usually present memory directly to the programmer rather than through some protective view.

I need to find a better definition... I feel like what I've presented is a bit wishy-washy .

Yeah I'm not sure that there is an agreed-upon definition. But if we're talking about intimate low-level control then C++ should definitely qualify.

[Irradium]

Yeah I'm not sure that there is an agreed-upon definition. But if we're talking about intimate low-level control then C++ should definitely qualify.

So, after 3 paragraphs of computer-related jargon, we've reached a conclusion - C++ should be able to count as a language that can work, comparatively easily, with the computer itself as opposed to one that 'limits' you (can't think of a better word ).

[Melchoire]

So, after 3 paragraphs of computer-related jargon, we've reached a conclusion - C++ should be able to count as a language that can work, comparatively easily, with the computer itself as opposed to one that 'limits' you (can't think of a better word ).

More or less, the good news is if you want to learn a system's language C++ is an option.

[data]

It'll either be VB6 or VBA, according to the course prospectus that I will end up learning it in. Thankfully, it has better points too (like building your own computer! )

I don't get the whole VB/B/VB6/C#/VB.NET/VBA thing anyway. Too many languages, and I have no idea which relate to which and how.

If it's between VB6 and VB.NET then I would go with VB.NET. VB.NET is better in everyway unless you are a malware programmer

[Noitidart]

First was HTML then was JavaScript. If you count them as programming.

[Hydrogen]

First was HTML then was JavaScript. If you count them as programming.

JavaScript, yes. HTML, no.