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An application development language is a programming language used to create or extend software applications. The phrase usually describes what a language is used for; it does not identify one universal language, platform, or tool.
What does “application development language” mean?
Programming languages let developers express instructions and application behavior in a form software tools can process. Calling one an application development language describes its role: it is used to build an application or part of one. The phrase alone does not say which operating system, platform, or development tool is involved. Computer Language Company’s definition uses the term in this general sense.
Is it a programming language or a specific product?
Usually, it is a descriptive phrase for a programming language used in application development. But context matters: a vendor may also use it as the name or description of a platform-specific technology.
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Tally Definition Language
Tally calls Tally Definition Language (TDL) “the application development language of Tally.” Its documentation describes TDL as a definition-based, action-driven language for extending Tally and integrating it with external applications. Tally also describes its technology in terms of interface and data objects, rendering, data management, and integration. These are Tally-specific capabilities, not a definition of what every application development language can do. See Tally’s introduction to TDL and its overview of Tally technology.
Progress Advanced Business Language
Progress describes Advanced Business Language (ABL) as a high-level procedural and object-oriented language for enterprise business applications. Its documentation covers application layers including user interfaces, database access, and business logic. ABL and TDL are distinct technologies designed for their respective environments; the examples do not mean that either can be used interchangeably with the other. Progress’s Introduction to ABL is for OpenEdge 13.0 and was updated February 11, 2026.
How is a language different from a framework, runtime, or IDE?
- Language: Expresses instructions or application structure.
- Framework or runtime: Provides execution services, libraries, components, or conventions that an application can use.
- Development environment: Packages tools for creating and maintaining software, such as editing and debugging tools.
These categories can overlap in vendor descriptions, so check what a particular product actually includes. For example, Microsoft describes .NET Framework as technology for building and running applications; developers write apps in a language of their choice and use the framework’s runtime and class library. Microsoft’s .NET Framework overview explains that distinction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which language should you use to develop an application?
Start with the application and the environment where it must run, rather than with the phrase “application development language.” Compare candidates against the requirements that affect whether you can build, deploy, and maintain the app:
- Target platform and runtime: Confirm the language works in the environment where the application must run.
- Application type and features: Check support for the required interface, data access, business logic, and integrations.
- Libraries and tools: Consider whether the needed components and development tooling are available.
- Deployment constraints: Account for the target environment’s rules and requirements.
- Team familiarity and maintainability: Choose an option the team can support over time, and consider compatibility with existing applications or systems.
Language choice can also affect consistency within a particular development platform. Mendix’s best-practice guidance recommends choosing an app’s language up front for consistency across app elements. Treat that as Mendix-specific guidance, not a universal rule for every project. Mendix’s development best practices was modified April 10, 2026.
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What to remember
- In ordinary use, “application development language” describes a programming language’s role, not one standardized language.
- A vendor may use the wording for a specific technology, such as Tally does for TDL.
- Languages can support different parts of an application, but their capabilities and compatible environments vary.
- Choose based on the app’s requirements, target environment, available tooling, and the team’s ability to maintain it.
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