The Strangest Coding Languages You've Probably Never Heard Of
Shafayet Hossain
Posted on November 18, 2024
1. Orthogonal
- Purpose Created to explore multidimensional array operations and programmatically handle complex data structures.
- Unique Traits Requires intricate, grid-like thinking, making typical row-column data processing a natural fit. Example:
matrix [2,2] = {1,2;3,4}
Why It’s Weird: It feels unnatural compared to linear languages and requires spatial visualization.
2. INTERCAL
- Purpose A parody language designed to mock complexity in programming.
-
Unique Traits
Uses commands like
PLEASE
, making politeness a code requirement. Example:
PLEASE DO ,1 <- #13
Why It’s Weird: Fails if code isn’t polite enough, leading to absurd syntactic errors. (Which feels to be illegal to me😭)
3. Whenever
- Purpose Demonstrates non-deterministic code execution where lines run whenever they please.
- Unique Traits: Code doesn’t run in sequential order, causing unpredictable outcomes.
Why It’s Weird: Results vary every time you execute the same program.
4. Deadfish
- Purpose Simplifies coding to four commands: increment, decrement, square, and output.
- Unique Traits: Ultra-minimalist, challenging the idea of how simple code can be.
Example:
iisdo // Output after increment, increment, square, and decrement
Why It’s Weird: You’re extremely limited in what you can do.
5. Java2K
- Purpose Over-exaggerates Java's verbosity to make even simple tasks complicated.
- Unique Traits Overuses Java keywords unnecessarily.
Why It’s Weird:Shows the absurdity of verbosity in code.
6. Unlambda
- Purpose A functional language that avoids variables and works with combinatorial logic.
- Unique Traits: Heavy use of backticks and anonymous functions.
Example:
`k``s``s`k`k
Why It’s Weird: It’s hard to understand without significant experience in lambda calculus.
7. BIT
- Purpose Focuses on bit-level operations.
- Unique Traits: Ideal for low-level programming and bit manipulation.
Why It’s Weird:Forces bitwise thinking for all operations.
8. ZOMBIE
- Purpose Simulates coding in a zombie-apocalypse scenario.
- Unique Traits Commands include survival strategies like attack and search.
Why It’s Weird:The code reads more like a game script than actual programming.
9. Taxi
- Purpose: Treats code execution like a taxi service, with commands such as “pickup” and “drop-off.”
- Unique Traits: Uses city maps and directions for control flow.
Why It’s Weird: Mimics real-world logistics in programming logic.
10. Malbolge
- Purpose: Designed to be nearly impossible to code in; known as the hardest language to learn.
- Unique Traits: Self-altering code and cryptic execution.
Example:
('&%:9]!~}|z0
Why It’s Weird: Even simple programs look like random characters.
11. Velato
- Purpose: Encodes programs as MIDI files; musical notes dictate instructions.
- Unique Traits: Requires understanding of music composition.
Why It’s Weird: You need musical skill to write or read the code.
12. Omgrofl
- Purpose: Mimics internet slang in programming.
-
Unique Traits: Commands include
LOL
,OMG
, andROFL
.
Example:
OMG LOL "HELLO"
Why It’s Weird: Hard to take seriously and looks like a meme.
13. l33t
- Purpose: Written in l33t speak, popularized by internet culture.
- Unique Traits: Uses alternative alphabet representations.
Why It’s Weird: Hard to read if you’re not familiar with l33t.
14. reMorse
- Purpose: Commands are written in Morse code.
- Unique Traits: Uses dots and dashes for program logic.
Example:
.- .... ..--
Why It’s Weird: Takes forever to write anything significant.
15. Ook!
- Purpose: Inspired by the language of orangutans in Terry Pratchett's novels.
- Unique Traits: Commands are variations of "Ook." Example:
Ook. Ook! Ook? Ook.
Why It’s Weird: Incomprehensible if you don’t know the specific meanings.
16. Chicken
- Purpose: Every command is represented by the word “chicken.”
- Unique Traits: Repetition counts as different instructions.
Example:
chicken chicken chicken
Why It’s Weird: Code only says “chicken” repeatedly.
17. Piet
- Purpose: Programs are images; colors dictate operations.
- Unique Traits: Looks like abstract art rather than code.
Example:
Coding resembles pixel art.
Why It’s Weird: Visual instead of textual.
18. Whitespace
- Purpose: Only spaces, tabs, and newlines are significant.
- Unique Traits: Other characters are ignored.
Example:
(space)(tab)(newline)
Why It’s Weird: Invisible code makes it impossible to debug visually.
19. Chef
- Purpose: Programs are recipes, and outputs are dishes.
- Unique Traits: Ingredients and steps represent logic.
Example:
Put sugar into the mixing bowl.
Why It’s Weird: Reads like a cookbook.
20. Shakespeare
- Purpose: Code resembles Shakespearean plays.
- Unique Traits: Variables are characters; functions are acts and scenes.
Example:
Act I: Romeo and Juliet meet.
Why It’s Weird: Hard to decipher unless you love literature.
21. ArnoldC
- Purpose: Commands are one-liners from Arnold Schwarzenegger movies.
-
Unique Traits: Commands include
GET TO THE CHOPPER
(set operation).
Example:
IT'S SHOWTIME
Why It’s Weird: Every line references iconic movie quotes.
22. Befunge
- Purpose: A two-dimensional language where code can move in any direction.
- Unique Traits: Execution flow moves up, down, left, or right.
Example:
@v>1+
>^@
Why It’s Weird: The structure makes debugging challenging.
23. LOLCODE
- Purpose: Uses LOLCat internet meme language.
-
Unique Traits: Uses phrases like
HAI
forstart
andKTHXBYE
for end.
Example:
HAI
VISIBLE "Hello World!"
KTHXBYE
Why It’s Weird: Meant to be humorous, not practical.
24. Brainfuck
- Purpose: Minimalist, known for its highly unintuitive syntax.
-
Unique Traits: Only 8 commands, like
+
,-
,>
,<
,.
, and,
.
Example:
++++++++[>++++++++<-]>.
Why It’s Weird: Extremely hard to read, but Turing complete.
My Personal Website: https://shafayet.zya.me
A meme for you😉😉😉
Posted on November 18, 2024
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