Programming Languages, Natural Languages, and Mathematics

Some social aspects of programming are illuminated
through analogies with similar aspects of 
mathematics and natural languages.  The split between
pure and applied mathematics is found similarly 
in programming. The development of natural languages toward
flexion less, word-order based language types 
speaks for programming language design based on general,
abstract constructs.  By analogy with incidents 
of the history of artificial, auxiliary languages it
is suggested that Fortran and Cobol will remain 
dominant for a long time to come.  The most promising
avenues for further work of wide influence are 
seen to be high quality program literature (i.e. programs)
of general utility and studies of questions 
related to program style.

CACM December, 1975

Naur, P.

analogies related to social aspects,pure and applied
mathematics, language quality, language development, 
artificial auxiliary languages, literature, style,
descriptive and prescriptive attitudes

4.20

CA751202 JB January 6, 1978  8:30 AM

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