Why does this language exist?

Every programming language was built because something hurt. One card per language answers four questions: what pain it was born from, what it trades away, where it won, and whether it is still alive.

Never programmed? Read the basics first: why there are so many languages and why one can't do everything, in plain words.

Start here

Build websitesJavaScript, TypeScript, PHP

Work with data or AIPython, SQL

Write a backendGo, TypeScript, Java, C#, Python

Make phone appsSwift, Kotlin, Dart

Go fast and close to the metalRust, C, C++, Zig

Automate your computerBash, Python

Talk to a databaseSQL

Script inside another programLua

Think differentlyHaskell, Elixir

All cards by type

Systems

CProgramming language for operating systems and other code that has to work close to the hardware.
C++Compiled language that adds classes, templates and manual memory control to C.
RustMemory-safe systems programming without a garbage collector.
ZigSystems language meant to replace C, with no hidden control flow or hidden allocations.

Web

JavaScriptThe language that runs inside web browsers, and on servers through Node.js.
PHPServer-side scripting language for web pages and web applications.
RubyObject-oriented scripting language, best known for the Rails web framework.
TypeScriptStatic types for JavaScript code, removed at compile time so the output is plain JavaScript.

Backend

C#Language for building .NET applications, from web services and desktop apps to Unity game scripts.
ElixirFunctional language for concurrent server applications that runs on the Erlang virtual machine (BEAM).
GoCompiled language with garbage collection and goroutines, made for networked servers and cloud tools.
JavaLanguage for server and enterprise software, compiled to bytecode that runs on the Java virtual machine.

Scripting

LuaEmbeddable scripting language for adding logic and configuration to a host program.
PythonGeneral-purpose language for scripts, automation, web backends and data analysis.

Mobile

DartLanguage for building Flutter apps, compiled ahead of time to native code or to JavaScript.
KotlinStatically typed language for JVM and Android apps that compiles alongside existing Java code.
SwiftProgramming language for building apps on Apple platforms such as iOS and macOS.

Functional

HaskellPurely functional, lazily evaluated language for writing programs as typed functions.

Query

SQLDeclarative language for defining, changing and querying data in relational databases.

Shell

BashCommand language and shell of the GNU Project, for running programs and writing scripts.

20 cards, 0 verified by a human. Cards are files in a public repo: add one or fix one.