> On Jun 16, 2026, at 10:31 PM, Mike Katz via cctalk <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
> I'm sure there are more "dead" computer languages than there are living ones.
>
> However, what is the definition of a dead computer language. Here are a few
> potential definitions (choose one or more or add your own):
>
> * If the language is not running, as an interpreter or compiler, on
> any currently manufactured computer. Running on antique computers
> or simulators doesn't count.
> * If no one is being paid to program in that language or maintain code
> in that language.
> * If the standards for the language have not been updated in more than
> 10 (25, 50) years.
> * If the language is no longer being used in a production/commercial
> environment.
> * If the language is only being used in the
> hobbyist/historian/antique/simulation environments.
>
> Here is an example question: There is an in production add on to an antique
> computer written and being supported in Forth. The Forth
> interpreter/compiler is running on a modern ARM based micro. Even though the
> target of the product is an antique computer since it is using a current
> technology micro with a supported forth, I would say that Forth is not a dead
> language.
>
> Here is a list of languages from my past, how many of them are officially
> dead by one or more of the above definitions?
>
> APL
> Forth
Definitely alive. See Zeptoforth, for current ARM microcontrollers.
> Lisp
Obviouslly alive, given that millions use emacs which uses a LISP dialect.
> Algol
60 or 68? Are Univac/Burroughs machines still around in production? If so, 60
is alive. And Algol 68 runs on current machines, via GCC.
> Dibol
> Focal
> Occam
> Prolog
> Watfor & Watfive
It's WATFIV. And those are FORTRAN implementations, not languages in their own
right.
> Ratfor
> Flap
> Ralf
> Teco (editor and macro language)
I don't use it a lot, but I stil run it on my Mac from time to time when I need
to do some magic that it does more easily (for me) than emacs.
> Pilot
> DB2
> Foxbase
> Any of the Hp Calculator languages (RPL, HP-41 User code)
> I'm sure their are dead dialects of BASIC but BASIC is currently supported as
> Visual Basic and Dartmouth Basic.
>
> Please update this list as to whether any of these languages are dead (by the
> current definition above) or alive. Also, please add new definitions and
> languages that are dead or nearly dead.
>
> Note: Dead dialects of a living language don't count.
Some other older languages:
SNOBOL
SYMPL
CYBIL
Tutor (probably not alive by your definition but alive surprisingly recently)
PL/I
POP-2
paul
