I don't disagree with you on any count, but I think, to a degree, there are going to be relatively standard languages at any large company. The majority of Micr

I don't disagree with you on any count, but I think, to a degree, there are going to be relatively standard languages at any large company. The majority of Microsoft programmers are probably out coding in some variation of C#/.NET and the like, while Apple programmers are somewhat locked into Obj-C etc. When you reach the kind of scale these companies have attained (30000 people at Google!) you need some sort of internal commonality in language knowledge to allow effective code reviews and intercompatibility between divisions. Java/Python/C++ each have their own flaws, god knows Java has some flaws, but I believe allowing free spirited use of whatever coding language best fit the project would lead to a net loss in productivity (in review, lack of reusability, etc.), even if it was a better approach from a theoretical perspective. Businesses don't like lost productivity. Google still uses Java for the same reason we all still speak English instead of Esperanto. An existing community of fluent speakers is far more valuable in daily practice than theoretical superiority.