Top 15 Weird Programming Languages In Use in 2024
Programming languages have come a long way since the early days of computer science. While mainstream languages like C, Java, and Python continue to dominate software development, there are plenty of more obscure and unconventional options out there. These "weird" languages often prioritize things like ease of use, minimalism, or just plain fun over practical application. Some are little more than hobbyist projects, while others have managed to carve out a niche despite their oddities. In 2024, programmers will have more choice than ever when it comes to selecting a language for their next project. Whether they're looking to experiment with something new or just have a laugh, these 15 weird programming languages demonstrate the creative fringe of modern computer programming. Though not suited for large-scale software engineering, they highlight the endless possibilities in language design.
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1. Brainfuck
One of the esoteric programming languages, Brainfuck consists of only 8 single-character commands. Programs look like long sequences of +++++++--<>, which is where the name comes from. It's challenging to write anything useful given the extreme minimalism.
2. Velato
This language uses MIDI files as source code. Programs are literally music that gets compiled into executables. Debugging means listening to your code and fixing sour notes.
3. Chef
Programs in Chef look like cooking recipes. Variables are ingredients, mixing them together follows the syntax, and executing the program requires "baking" the final recipe. A taste of computing for Food Network fans.
4. LOLCODE
Inspired by the LOLcat meme, LOLCODE has verbose keywords like VISIBLE, GIMMEH, and OMGWTF. Semicolons are replaced by the phrase "NOW GTFO". Strange as it is, LOLCODE can actually be used to build applications.
5. Malbolge
Malbolge was named after the eighth circle of hell in Dante's Inferno, and it was made to be very hard to program in. Its language is based on encryption, which is hard to understand, and each command can only access a small group of registers and memory places. It is more of a virtual torture device than a language.
6. Shakespeare
This esoteric language aims to make programs appear like Shakespearean plays. Variables are cast as characters, IF statements become soliloquies, and functions act out scenes. The results are halfway between software and literature.
7. Emojicode
Feeling expressive? Emojicode lets you construct variables, functions, loops, and other programming fundamentals out of emoji symbols. You'll be coding smiles, winks, and kisses in no time.
8. Piet
Named after abstract artist Piet Mondrian, this color-based language has programs that look like abstract paintings. Different colors represent coding elements like variables or loops. Placement on the canvas determines logic flow.
9. Perl
One of the old standbys of scripting languages, Perl has fallen out of fashion due to its dense syntax and orthogonality. Reading Perl code feels a bit like decoding an ancient hieroglyphic text these days.
10. INTERCAL
Developed in the 1970s as a parody of other languages' cryptic syntax, INTERCAL is deliberately full of obtuse and nonsensical keywords that make writing sensible programs a fool's errand. More an academic curiosity than usable language now.
11. Befunge
The source code for Befunge programs looks like a ASCII game map. Instructions execute left to right, top to bottom or can jump to new points on the map. Strange by nature and design, it's tough to wrap your head around Befunge.
12. MATLAB
While not that exotic, MATLAB draws criticism for using 1-based indexing instead of the 0-based indexes common to C and other languages. This disconnect from programming norms qualifies MATLAB for weird language status.
13. IDL
Like MATLAB, IDL feels out of place because variables have to be explicitly declared before use. Due to this lack of dynamism and other limitations, IDL is often described as archaic by modern programmers.
14. COBOL
Few languages seem as foreign to modern coders as COBOL, which powers critical legacy systems. Its wordy syntax and niche application domain make COBOL programming an oddity.
15. HQ9+
This minimalist joke language has only 4 instructions - H prints "Hello", Q prints its own source code, 9 prints the lyrics to 99 Bottles of Beer, and + increments the accumulator. Vast programs are possible with those building blocks!
Conclusion
While unusual languages like those discussed above probably won't be powering the next great startup or operating system, they demonstrate that programming can encompass more than practical software engineering. Some weird languages like Velato turn code into music. Others like Chef and LOLCODE find the aesthetics in programming. And languages like Brainfuck and INTERCAL push minimalism and obfuscation to their limits. Most importantly, these esoteric languages show that even in computing, creativity comes in surprising packages. Weird languages keep pushing the boundaries and possibilities of programming itself. Even though few of us will write production software in Shakespeare or Emojicode, these novel languages represent the vanguard of creative expression through code. Their very existence highlights that computing is as much about human expression as logical rigor. So while businesses will stick to Python and Java for now, these weird languages continue to flex the diversity and range of programming possibilities.
