Includes bibliographical references.

After a short introduction on the history of programming languages, this book provides step-by-step examples that are mirrored in seven programming languages, including C#, C++, Java, JavaScript, PERL, PHP, Python, Ruby, VB, and VBA. This mirrored approach for each of the examples represents the main feature of the book with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of programming and scripting languages. This approach also allows readers to learn the mechanics of short implementations and the algorithms involved, no matter what technology and programs are used in the future. Based on the growing need for programmers to be proficient across languages, the book is designed in such a way that no prior training or exposure to the programming languages is needed by readers.