Language disco

From: Greg Lindsey <glindsey_at_ssinc.com>
Date: Wed Aug 22 14:16:44 2001

"Bryan Pope" <bpope_at_wordstock.com> said:
> >
> > Here we go with the language discussion.
> > First I put on the flameproof suit, insert ear plugs, cover eyes with
> > antiflash goggles, and place flack vest on front and back.
> > Are any of the following a computer language?
> >
>
> I would say that all of these are computer languages. If they can solve
> problems, then why not? Whether the language is specific for certain
types
> of tasks (say Postscript) or more general (C) it would still be a computer
> language...
>
I remember one of my old CS professors defining a computer language as
having some way to store data, to gather input, to control program flow
through either of these, and to generate output. Or something along those
lines, anyway. I find that to be a pretty good yardstick to measure various
"languages" by... I still cringe when people talk of "programming in HTML".
:)

GSL

P.S. "Language disco" gave me the odd mental image of a bunch of linguists
dancing to the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack...
Received on Wed Aug 22 2001 - 14:16:44 BST