What Makes a Programming Language Good?

I was reading a YouTube comment from someone who said they would rather die than program in JavaScript.

My reaction was: Wait, what? 😱 Why? 🤔

To be honest, I don't think this person knows much about computers or programming languages—they just seem to follow a kind of cult belief that JavaScript is a bad language.

Today’s post isn’t about why JavaScript is a good programming language. Instead, I want to talk about what makes a programming language good and popular—which will be especially helpful if you’re a beginner.

So let’s talk about what makes a programming language good 👇

  1. Syntax
    Simple, readable syntax makes it easier for beginners to learn and for teams to maintain code.
  2. Standard Library
    A powerful standard library means you can do more without relying on external packages. Some modern languages are designed with this in mind from the start.
  3. Ecosystem
    A strong ecosystem includes tools, frameworks, libraries, and community support. The bigger and more active the ecosystem, the easier it is to find help and build projects.
  4. Error Handling
    Good languages make error handling clear and safe. Some newer languages avoid entire categories of bugs (like null pointer issues) by design.
  5. Debugging
    Helpful compiler messages and built-in debugging tools make development faster and less frustrating.
  6. Asynchronous Programming
    Support for async programming is essential for building fast, responsive apps—especially in web and network-heavy environments.
  7. Cross-Platform Support
    Popular languages often run on multiple platforms—desktop, mobile, web, servers—without much extra work.
  8. Package Manager
    A good package manager makes it easy to install, update, and manage libraries. Newer languages often come with one built-in and tightly integrated.
  9. Security
    Modern languages often include features that help prevent common security issues, like memory bugs or unsafe type conversions.
  10. Performance
    A good language balances speed with safety and developer productivity. Some languages are built to give you near low-level performance without the pain of low-level code.