A cultural diffusion model for the rise and fall of programming languages

Document Type

Article

Authors

Sergi Valverde, ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu FabraFollow
Ricard V. Solé, ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu FabraFollow

Open Access Pre-Print

http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol_preprints/85/

Abstract

Our interaction with complex computing machines is mediated by programming languages (PLs) which constitute one of the major innovations in the evolution of technology. PLs allowed a flexible, scalable and fast use of hardware and are largely responsible for shaping the history of information technology since the rise of computers in the 1950s. The rapid growth and impact of computers was followed closely by the development of programming languages. As it occurs with natural, human languages, they emerged and gone extinct. There has been always a diversity of coexisting PLs that compete somewhat while occupying special niches. Here we show that the statistical patterns of language adoption, rise, and fall can be accounted for by a simple model in which a set of programmers can use several PLs, decide to use existing PLs used by other programmers, or decide not to use them. Our results highlight the influence of strong communities of practice in the difffusion of PL innovations.

Recommended Citation

Valverde, Sergi and Solé, Ricard V. (2015) "A cultural diffusion model for the rise and fall of programming languages," Human Biology: Vol. 87: Iss. 3, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol87/iss3/7