[JustSomeNobody]

If all the languages and frameworks that are being developed were progress, then sure. If they were meant as just experiments, then more power to them. Here's the deal, we'll see a flood of "Why I chose (X) language" posts. A year later we'll see a flood of "Why I left (X) language" posts. Developers read too many blogs and follow too many fads. They are like golfers! "This'll get you an extra 10 yards on your swing!" B.S.

[abjorn]

So what? I don't know about you, but I started programming for fun. Where's the fun if you never experiment or try new things?

You can't discourage people from experimenting with new languages, frameworks, design patterns, etcetera, just because some people might use it and fail.

[laureny]

You're making the dangerous assumption that a failed experiment is synonymous with no progress.

We actually learn a lot more from failures than successes.

[JustSomeNobody]

I am not assuming that at all. Re-read my first two sentences.

The problem that I see is that developers only want to work on what is new. They don't want to work with C++ because it's old. They don't want to work with Java because it's old. They don't want to work with Ruby because even it is old. It's the same thing with frameworks. There has been an explosion of frameworks because developers can't be caught dead working on something older than 6 months.

If one's intention is to rewrite entire applications every year, knock yourself out. But if you're writing apps for customers who expect it to be solid and remain in the field for a useful amount of time, then you need the reliability of C++ or Java or C. Not some language someone whipped together in a handful of weekends.

Another commenter mentioned beginning development because it was fun. I did too. It still is, but I also grew to care about the products I develop. And no, it's not fun to chase issues with immature technology when a customer is wanting answers.

[skybrian]

This is a problem? If not for the early adopters, how would new languages get a chance?

[peaton]

I agree with the positivity. It is always easiest to critique and stick with the familiar.

Something we can quantitatively take away from the slur of new languages is that new languages are easier now than ever to create/implement. This should be a good thing. This means faster iteration can occur. Even if that iteration is not necessarily taking place, the creation of new languages verifies this ability.