Why Do We Use Different Languages on Facebook and WhatsApp?

Why Do We Use Different Languages on Facebook and WhatsApp?
6 min read
16 August 2022

The most famous social media platforms worldwide were Facebook and WhatsApp. These services have enabled people to keep in touch with friends, family, and co-workers through text messages. Facebook is famous to such an extent that it acquired WhatsApp in February 2014 and Instagram in April 2012.

A wide range of programming languages can be utilized to develop different sites and applications and to build Facebook and WhatsApp. The most popular language used for Facebook is PHP, while the most popular language used for WhatsApp is Java. Other languages ​​used include Python, C++, and HTML.

Why Facebook and WhatsApp are Encoded in the Language, They Are

Both are very popular nowadays. Most of the population is on Facebook and WhatsApp. But you might not know that they are written in different programming languages.

According to Facebook's engineering team, the social media giant originally started using PHP (hypertext preprocessor) for its web code. However, over time, the company has migrated to use a combination of C++ and Hack for its core web infrastructure. The most popular language for developers to build large-scale and efficient applications in C++. On the other hand, a new programming language developed by Facebook is designed to be more flexible and extensible than PHP.

The messaging app is initially built on top of the Erlang programming language for WhatsApp. Erlang is a useful programming language suitable for growing exceptionally simultaneous and distributed systems. The founders of WhatsApp specifically chose Erlang because of the large number of users and the ease of handling messages.

So why do Facebook and WhatsApp use different languages? Since Facebook has been anciently used for many years, it had a different strategy from WhatsApp, which is why Facebook and WhatsApp used different languages ​​for their websites and applications.

Facebook is Built with PHP and Hack.

Facebook is built with PHP and Hack. PHP is a server-side scripting language that lets you write code to dynamically create web pages on your website, which can be hosted anywhere.

The most famous and most established language utilized these days is PHP. It has been used for years to build companie’s and application’s web pages. It is also used in many other websites, including Gmail and WordPress!

Facebook Messenger is written in Erlang.

Erlang is a functional programming language. It is developed by Ericsson for use in telecommunications applications and has been in use in these applications since the early 1990s.

Facebook Messenger is written in Erlang, as well as WhatsApp and other popular apps like Netflix, PayPal, and more.

WhatsApp Uses a Combination of Erlang and C++.

WhatsApp uses a combination of Erlang and C++. For core functions of the application, C++ is used as user authentication or database access. Erlang is used for the chat functions of the app, such as group chat and media sharing. WhatsApp's server side is written in Erlang with native code compiled on an x86 processor architecture (i386).

It allows you to write fast code that takes advantage of advanced features in modern CPUs, such as AVX instructions or SSE4 floating point operations, which are much faster than in previous versions.

Learn the Languages used to create these Modern Marvels of Software Engineering.

Computer programming is a language-based activity. As much as other languages ​​are used to develop applications and websites, they have advantages and disadvantages.

To learn how to program, you really want to know the programming languages utilized around the world. These include PHP, Hack, Erlang, C++, and Python.

If you want your application or website to be built on one of these platforms, a few things to consider before proceeding with your project, as not all options will work well together (ease of installation, e.t.c).

Make Social Media Platforms with Code!

While there are many ways to build a social media platform, we will focus on the language used by Facebook and WhatsApp.

Social media is a global platform allowing users to share their information and things globally and connect without problems. The company has more than 2 billion users around the world who use it for everything from hanging out with friends to posting selfies on Instagram or sharing family photos on Facebook itself (which uses your profile).

It is also an essential part of our lives as most people rely on it for news updates about current events or the lives of celebrities – you know, what happened during Hurricane Matthew last year? We know some people may not have been able to watch those videos live because their internet went offline when Hurricane Matthew flooded Florida, but thankfully they had access via their phones!

Conclusion

The languages ​​used to build these platforms are fascinating, but they also tell us what is possible with code and computers. The future of social media will be based on these technologies, and we can expect them to continue to evolve based on the user's needs. Facebook and WhatsApp are two of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, but not many people realize that they are written in different programming languages.

Facebook is written in PHP, whereas WhatsApp is written in Erlang. While both are technically capable of handling multiple users on their respective platforms, each has its strengths and weaknesses. Eventually, it ultimately depends on the developers to conclude which language is the most appropriate for their needs.

About Digiott Technologies

Digiott is a leading App Development, web development, Software Development and brand promotion company that helps small to large-scale businesses to establish a successful online presence. To know more visit us: www.digiott.com

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