Hello World – Classic Greeting, Meaning & Programming Origins

What is "Hello World"?

Hello World is the most basic program traditionally written when learning a new programming language. Its purpose is simple: display the phrase Hello, World! on the screen. This humble greeting marks the beginner’s first successful code run and serves as a universal programming tradition.

Why Do Programmers Start With "Hello World"?

Simplicity: It’s easy to understand and implement, offering confidence to beginners.
Testing the Environment: Running Hello World confirms that the programming environment is properly set up.
Syntax Introduction: It introduces the basic structure and syntax of the language without overwhelming the learner.
Debugging Practice: If Hello World doesn’t work, it highlights immediate issues with setup or syntax.

The Origins of "Hello World"

The first known use of "Hello, World!" in programming appeared in Brian Kernighan’s 1972 tutorial for the B programming language. It became famous through the 1978 book The C Programming Language by Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie. Since then, it has become a universal way to demonstrate a new language’s basic output and to welcome newcomers to programming.

Hello World in Different Programming Languages

Below are popular "Hello World" program examples in various languages. Explore how this classic greeting is written!

Python

print("Hello, World!")

JavaScript

console.log("Hello, World!");

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    printf("Hello, World!\n");
    return 0;
}

Java

public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
}

PHP

<?php
echo "Hello, World!";
?>

Ruby

puts "Hello, World!"

package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
    fmt.Println("Hello, World!")
}

Bash

echo "Hello, World!"

See more Hello World examples →

What Does "Hello World" Mean?

Beyond its programming usage, "Hello World" represents the excitement and simplicity of starting something new. It’s a friendly greeting to the digital universe and a symbol that you’ve taken your first step into programming.

Learn more about the meaning & history of Hello World →

Ready to Write Your Own?

Whether you’re a student, a hobbyist, or just curious, try writing your own Hello World program in the language of your choice! It’s the perfect way to get started and see immediate results.