The Worst Programming Language: Building the Booby-Trapped Aztec Temple of Fail

TLDRIn this video, Mark Rendall explores the worst features from various programming languages and combines them to create the ultimate worst programming language called BS. The goal is to make simple tasks difficult, while leaving complex tasks up to the programmer. BS aims to target multiple domains and platforms. The video highlights the inconsistencies and challenges in existing programming languages, with a humorous and entertaining approach.

Key insights

💣BS is a programming language created to be the worst, making simple tasks incredibly difficult.

🌐BS aims to target multiple domains and platforms, including systems programming, embedded devices, and the web.

🧩BS embraces inconsistency and challenges the programmer to think creatively and overcome obstacles.

🚀The video takes a humorous and entertaining approach to highlight the flaws in existing programming languages.

🏆By exploring the worst features of various languages, BS serves as a reminder of the importance of good language design.

Q&A

Is BS a real programming language?

No, BS is a fictional programming language created for entertainment purposes in this video.

What is the goal of creating BS?

The goal of creating BS is to highlight the flaws and challenges in existing programming languages while providing a humorous and entertaining experience.

Can BS be used for real-world projects?

While BS is not designed for practical use, it serves as a reminder of the importance of good language design and the challenges programmers face.

Who is Mark Rendall?

Mark Rendall is a.NET developer with 30 years of experience, known for his expertise in programming languages and his entertaining presentations.

What can we learn from the worst programming languages?

Studying the flaws in programming languages helps us understand the importance of good language design and can inspire improvements in existing languages.

Timestamped Summary

00:08Mark Rendall introduces himself as a.NET developer with 30 years of experience and his goal to create the worst programming language.

00:35Mark explains that the video will focus on extracting the worst features from various programming languages to create a new language called BS.

01:18Mark discusses Cobol, a programming language known for its excessive boilerplate and impractical features.

03:44Mark highlights APL, a programming language with unique characters and syntax that made it difficult to read and understand.

04:46Mark shares the ridiculousness of IBM Cobol, a modified version of Cobol with even more complexity and convoluted syntax.

06:45Mark discusses the programming language Intercal, which was intentionally designed as a joke language with absurd features and a slow compiler.

08:51Mark highlights the visual editor and unconventional approach of Gupta SQL Windows, a language notorious for its complex and non-intuitive design.

11:40Mark explains the design principles of BS, aiming to create the worst language by making simple tasks difficult while leaving complex tasks up to the programmer.