← VCE Applied Computing U1O2

Emerging trends in programming languages

Programming languages keep changing. New features and languages aim to make software easier, safer or faster to build, such as readable syntax, type hints and safer languages.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Legal requirements and emerging trends — Module 14

Understanding Emerging trends in programming languages in VCE Applied Computing U1O2

What it does: Languages like Rust use strict typing and ownership rules to catch mistakes before the program runs, making software safer. The : int is a type hint. Python does not force it, but it helps readers and tools spot errors, so it is a modern trend for safer code. Languages evolve to help developers build software more easily, safely or quickly. Older languages usually keep working. A type hint follows the name with a colon, like n: int. The -> int shows the type of value returned. Rust was built to prevent common memory errors while still running quickly. HTML is a markup language, not a programming language.

Common mistakes: The variable is called msg, but the last line returns mesg, which was never created. It should be 'return msg'. Readable code with clear names makes slips like this easy to spot. age is an int, so adding the string '1' causes a TypeError. Type hints help tools catch this kind of mistake. It should be print(age + 1).

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 89–124) and word search (Modules 8–124).

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Learning
Duo
Why do programming languages keep changing over time?
New features and languages aim to make software easier, safer or faster to buildOld languages stop working once a new language is released
Matches
def greet(name: str) -> int: return "Hi " + name
↓
The type hint says the function returns an int, but it actually returns a string. The hint should be -> str.
Applying
Meanings
Term
language trends
Meaning
Programming languages keep changing. New features and languages aim to make software easier, safer or faster to build, such as readable syntax, type hints and safer languages.
Practice
def greet(name: str) -> str:
Testing
Gaps
def add(a: int, b: int) -> :
Check Answer
Spots
3 msg = msg + '!'
4 return mesg

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Quick Questions

1. Why do programming languages keep changing over time?
A. New features and languages aim to make software easier, safer or faster to build ✓
B. Old languages stop working once a new language is released
Languages evolve to help developers build software more easily, safely or quickly. Older languages usually keep working.
2. Which Python line uses a type hint?
A. def double(n: int) -> int: ✓
B. def double(n) -> print:
A type hint follows the name with a colon, like n: int. The -> int shows the type of value returned.
3. What is the main purpose of a type hint in Python?
A. It makes the program run twice as fast
B. It shows what type of data a variable or function should use, which helps readers and tools spot mistakes ✓
Type hints document the expected data types. Python does not use them to speed up code, but editors and checkers can use them to find errors.
4. Which language was designed with a strong focus on memory safety?
A. Rust ✓
B. HTML
Rust was built to prevent common memory errors while still running quickly. HTML is a markup language, not a programming language.
5. Which is an example of readable syntax?
A. if(a>=18)&&{;;
B. if age >= 18: ✓
Readable syntax uses clear, simple wording and layout so that code is easy to understand. The second option is not valid code.

Match the Pairs

def add(a: int, b: int) -> int: → A Python function with type hints that show the inputs and the result should be whole numbers
for name in names: → Readable syntax that loops through a list in a way that is close to plain English
Newer languages built for safety can stop some bugs by checking that values are used correctly → let age: i32 = 16;
Type hints are an added feature that tell readers and tools what kind of data a variable should hold → score: int = 10
def greet(name: str) -> int: return "Hi " + name → The type hint says the function returns an int, but it actually returns a string. The hint should be -> str.
total: int = "ten" → The type hint says int but the value is text. It should be a number such as 10, or the hint should be str.

Key Term

language trends
Programming languages keep changing. New features and languages aim to make software easier, safer or faster to build, such as readable syntax, type hints and safer languages.

Fill in the Blanks

1. def add(a: int, b: int) -> int: return a + b
Hint: Type the return type hint, the data type this function gives back
2. def greet(name: str): print("Hi " + name)
Hint: Type the type hint for a parameter that holds text
3. if mark >= 50: print("Pass")
Hint: Type the operator that means greater than or equal to, written in readable Python syntax
4. price: float = 9.95
Hint: Type the type hint for a number with a decimal point
5. names = ["Ava", "Liam"] for n in names: print(n)
Hint: Type the simple built-in function that shows output, one reason Python became popular

Spot the Error

Question 1
A def greet(name: str) -> str:
B msg = 'Hi ' + name
C msg = msg + '!'
D return mesg
Line D — The variable is called msg, but the last line returns mesg, which was never created. It should be 'return msg'. Readable code with clear names makes slips like this easy to spot.
Question 2
A age: int = 16
B name: str = 'Sam'
C print(name)
D print(age + '1')
Line D — age is an int, so adding the string '1' causes a TypeError. Type hints help tools catch this kind of mistake. It should be print(age + 1).
Question 3
A scores: list[int] = [80, 92]
B scores.add(75)
C total = sum(scores)
Line B — Python lists have no add() method. Use append() to put a new item on the end of a list: scores.append(75).
Question 4
A def is_adult(age: int) -> bool:
B if age >= 18:
C return true
D return False
Line C — Python's Boolean values are capitalised: True and False. Lowercase 'true' is an undefined name. It should be 'return True'.
Question 5
A total: int = 0
B for i in range(3):
C total + = i
D print(total)
Line C — The += operator must be typed with no space between + and =. Python's short, readable syntax uses 'total += i' to add to a variable.

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