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.

Paul A. Gagniuc, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Bioinformatics and a Professor of Programming Languages at University Politehnica of Bucharest in Romania.  He obtained his doctorate in Genetics at the University of Bucharest. Dr. Gagniuc is also an Academic Editor at PLoS ONE and a proactive reviewer for several well-known scientific journals.  He has published numerous high-profile scientific articles and is the recipient of several awards for exceptional scientific results.