Hello World: Reference & Origins

Reference: Key Facts About "Hello World"

• First Appearance: The phrase Hello, World! first appeared in 1972, authored by Brian Kernighan as part of his tutorial documentation for the B programming language. The program was designed to demonstrate the simplest form of output, helping beginners understand how to display text on a screen.
• Popularized by: The textbook The C Programming Language (1978) by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie, which featured a Hello World example as the first program, set a precedent for programming books worldwide. This helped establish the "Hello World" tradition in developer education.
• Notable Early Usage: Early programming languages such as C, Pascal, and BASIC each adopted Hello World as a canonical starter program. The tradition quickly spread to languages like Java, Python, and JavaScript, reinforcing its role as the universal entry point for learning new programming languages.
• Purpose: The primary reason for using Hello World is to test basic program output, confirm the programming environment is set up, and illustrate the simplest syntax for output operations. It is often included at the start of programming tutorials, books, and documentation.
• Example from B (1972):

  main() {
      extrn a, b, c;
      putchar(a); putchar(b); putchar(c); putchar('!*n');
  }

• Example from C (1978):

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

• Impact on Computer Science Education: The tradition of starting with Hello World has shaped how programming is taught. It lowers the barrier to entry, giving beginners immediate feedback and building confidence. The phrase is now synonymous with learning to code and is referenced in countless courses, tutorials, and technical interviews.
• Global Usage: Found in programming books, university courses, documentation, and online tutorials worldwide, the Hello World program is considered a rite of passage for new programmers.

Variants of Hello World: International and Cultural Perspectives

• Hello World! – The most basic and commonly used form.
• Hello, World! – Original version with a comma, as seen in early C examples; widely considered the canonical version.
• Hi, World! – Less formal, sometimes used for playful tutorials.
• Hello World – Without punctuation, often used in casual examples.
• Hallo Welt! (German) – Used in German-speaking programming tutorials to connect with native speakers.
• Hola Mundo! (Spanish) – Standard variant in Spanish-language resources and classrooms.
• Bonjour le monde! (French) – French translation, commonly used in French programming materials.
• こんにちは世界 (Japanese, “Konnichiwa Sekai”) – Used in Japanese programming guides to make examples more relatable.
• Привет, мир! (Russian, “Privet, mir!”) – Appears in Russian educational content.
• Ciao mondo! (Italian) – Used in Italian programming books and courses.
• Olá Mundo! (Portuguese) – Seen in resources for Brazil and Portugal.
• 안녕하세요 세계 (Korean, “Annyeonghaseyo segye”) – Korean language variant for local tutorials.
• مرحبا بالعالم (Arabic, “Marhaban bialalam”) – Used in Arabic-language programming introductions.
• שלום עולם! (Hebrew, “Shalom Olam!”) – Featured in Hebrew-language programming courses.
• नमस्ते दुनिया! (Hindi, “Namaste Duniya!”) – Used in Hindi programming books and localizations.
• Each variant reflects the language and culture of its audience, making Hello World a globally recognized phrase in technology and education.

Hello World in Modern Programming Languages

The Hello World tradition continues to thrive in modern programming, serving as the inaugural program for new learners and seasoned developers exploring a new language. Here are examples and explanations for popular modern languages:

• Python:

  print("Hello, World!")

  This single-line command outputs text to the console, demonstrating Python’s readability and simplicity, making it a favorite for introductory programming courses.
• JavaScript (Browser):

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

  Here, console.log() displays the message in the browser’s developer console. It’s often the first step in learning web development and JavaScript basics.
• Rust:

  fn main() {
      println!("Hello, World!");
  }

  Rust’s syntax emphasizes safety and clarity, and Hello World is the canonical starting point for learning how to run and compile Rust programs.
• Java:

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

  Java’s Hello World demonstrates basic class structure and output, providing a gentle introduction to object-oriented programming concepts.
• Go:

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

  In Go, the example introduces package declaration and simplicity of syntax, helping developers confirm their Go setup is working.

Why is Hello World Used in Programming?

1. Tests if the programming environment is set up correctly, ensuring compilers or interpreters function as intended and that system dependencies are satisfied.
2. Verifies installation and configuration of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) or text editors by requiring users to write, save, and run a working program.
3. Demonstrates the minimum syntax needed for output, providing a clear and concise introduction to language structure and conventions.
4. Offers instant feedback to new programmers, building confidence and reducing the intimidation factor of starting to code.
5. Checks that the basic toolchain—editor, compiler, runtime, and terminal—is working together seamlessly.
6. Fosters a community tradition among programmers, providing a shared starting point and sense of belonging, regardless of language or background.
7. Serves as a universal reference point in programming tutorials, books, and documentation, and is used in technical interviews and onboarding processes.
8. Reinforces best practices by encouraging proper structure, syntax awareness, and testing habits from the very beginning.

See Also