Need Productivity? Smalltalk Is the Most Productive Programming Language
In today’s fast-changing business environment, organizations encounter new challenges due to technology, competition, and changing customer needs. To remain flexible and innovative, businesses need to select the right programming languages that help them adapt and succeed.
In the past, languages were chosen mainly for their technical features, but now companies look for those that speed up development, enhance teamwork, and are easy to maintain. As these choices become more important, having productive programming languages is essential for success.
The Role of Programming Language Selection in Business Strategy
The decisions that organizations make regarding technology can have far-reaching implications. As businesses strive to stay competitive and responsive to market demands, the choice of programming language becomes a critical component of their overall strategy. The most productive programming language can not only enhance productivity but also support innovation and scalability as the business grows. Given the many languages available, understanding the nuances of each and their fit for specific business needs is important for leaders aiming to leverage technology effectively.
We know business leaders are not just looking for product messaging from vendors. They need validation from third-party sources—someone other than the vendor—that can help them confirm that they are making the smartest choice for their programming language. Although this isn’t new to Smalltalk users, business leaders looking for help in their decision-making can look to Capers Jones of Namcook Analytics for unbiased research on the topic.
As businesses navigate this complex landscape, the insights provided by experts like Capers Jones become increasingly important. His research offers a wealth of data and analysis beyond marketing claims, enabling leaders to evaluate programming languages based on criteria such as size in KLOC, Work Hours per Function Point, and Function Points per Month. By relying on such research, organizations can make more informed decisions that align with their strategic objectives, ultimately leading to greater success in a competitive environment.
Capers Jones’ Analysis: Uncovering the Value of Programming Languages
Capers Jones is a long-time expert and author of studies that compare programming language productivity and other factors with various measures. In one of his papers, Capers Jones shows several factors that contribute to the overall value of a programming language over the full life cycle of its use. Although the study shows many types of languages combined, you will see that Smalltalk comes out on top in general-purpose programming languages and also rates very high in function points per month with fewer lines of code.
Languages Size in KLOC* Work Hours per Function Point Function Points per Month Smalltalk 21.33 6.88 19.19 Visual Basic 26.67 7.85 16.82 Delphi 29.09 8.29 15.92 APL 32 8.82 14.97 Perl 35.56 9.46 13.95 Haskell 37.65 9.84 13.41 C# 51.2 12.31 10.72 C++ 53.33 12.7 10.4 Java 53.33 12.7 10.4 PHP 53.33 12.7 10.4 Python 53.33 12.7 10.4 Zimbu 58.18 13.58 9.72 Quick Basic 60.95 14.08 9.37
* KLOC = lines of code, which is a software metric used to measure the size of a computer program by counting the number of lines in the text of the program’s source code.
To see this paper in its entirety, visit Namcook Analytics.
As Thomas M. Nies, Chairman and CEO of Cincom Systems, Inc. says,
“High value and low cost with a rapid return on investment at low risk—you simply can’t go wrong by choosing Cincom Smalltalk.”
Conclusion
By leveraging expert analysis from figures like Capers Jones, decision-makers can confidently choose programming languages that align with their objectives and maximize their return on investment. As technology continues to evolve, adopting a productive language like Smalltalk can provide the agility and robustness necessary to navigate future challenges successfully. Ultimately, investing in the right programming language is not just about technical specifications; it’s about making informed decisions that drive growth and innovation in an ever-changing landscape.