Introducing Programming Language Metrics

Abstract

We introduce possibly the first approximation of programming language metrics that represent a spectrum over 70 unique and carefully gathered dimensions by which any two programming languages can be compared. Based on those metrics, one can evaluate her own `best' language, and to demonstrate how complex feelings such as “simplicity” and “easy to use”, often found as arguments in language debates and advertisements, can be decomposed into clear and measurable pieces. We put the collection as a completely separate open-source file (here as an appendix) so that everyone can participate in eliciting new and interesting dimensions used in programming languages research, development, and use. Metrics can find their use to compare languages, define requirements, create rankings, give tips for language designers, and simply provide a bird’s-eye view on existing languages features found in the wild.