I've Always Wanted To Know: Why Are There Different Programming Languages? To create a program for a computer, an app for a phone or even a website, you need to know one of a large variety of programming languages. Programming languages tell the computers what to do and allow you to interact with the computer to perform functions such as making a document, controlling game charactersand photo editing. Like spoken language, each has its own rules and common areas of use. Why are there so many? Why is a webpage written in a different language than a Windows program or a game?
