Language Feature Evolution

The cluster focuses on debates about adding new features to programming languages, including timelines for implementation, the need for innovation versus stability, and preferences for evolving existing languages over creating new ones.

📉 Falling 0.4x Programming Languages
3,499
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#5712
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
2
2008
16
2009
30
2010
47
2011
73
2012
85
2013
115
2014
152
2015
216
2016
229
2017
232
2018
203
2019
278
2020
283
2021
273
2022
351
2023
364
2024
277
2025
261
2026
12

Keywords

e.g JS ML ES6 STILL language features feature new features languages language features added new language syntax removed

Sample Comments

telmo Nov 27, 2022 View on HN

That's pretty new for a programming language.

n2d4 Nov 11, 2024 View on HN

Sadly it needs a language feature that doesn't exist yet

jonny_eh Jun 21, 2022 View on HN

New language features are for new code.

dave4420 Oct 30, 2023 View on HN

How long until this sort of feature is built into programming languages?

bitexploder Oct 25, 2022 View on HN

Do languages really need new features every N months to stay relevant?

whoevercares May 15, 2019 View on HN

We probably should compare the timeline when those features are added to other languages

cool-RR Apr 30, 2009 View on HN

Wouldn't it be better to modify an existing, popular language to support this feature?

felixfbecker Oct 12, 2018 View on HN

What language features would you like to see removed?

danabramov Feb 27, 2014 View on HN

It's not about a language feature, is it?

madeofpalk Mar 29, 2025 View on HN

I don't think you're disagreeing with parent. I also think these features are not groundbreaking and should be considered table stakes for any new/sane language.