The Structure of Programming Languages In this paper the major components of every programming language are identified as: (1) the elementary program statement, (2) mechanisms for linking elementary statements together, (3) the means by which a program can obtain data inputs. Several alternative forms of each of these components are also described, compared and evaluated. Many examples, frequently from list processing languages, illustrate the forms described. The advantages, disadvantages and factors influencing the choice of a form of component for a language are discussed, and the paper concludes with the suggestion that programming languages evolve toward one which will permit all the most convenient ways of structuring programs, organizing systems and referencing data. CACM February, 1966 Raphael, B. CA660202 JB March 3, 1978 3:46 PM 1024 4 1485 1051 4 1485 1098 4 1485 1214 4 1485 1380 4 1485 1388 4 1485 1393 4 1485 1485 4 1485 1487 4 1485 1549 4 1485 1570 4 1485 1878 4 1485 1946 4 1485 1957 4 1485 2168 4 1485 2723 4 1485 2857 4 1485 3112 4 1485 1485 5 1485 1485 5 1485 1485 5 1485 731 5 1485