I don't find this to be a particularly useful definition of a programming language.
For example, under this formulation, a table of hexadecimal operation codes executable on some S/3x0-compatible physical processor meets the definition of a programming language. I suggest that a decent definition of the term "programming language" would have to be far more extensive. I have not yet taken the time to look at the question in detail, but Perlis's formulation seems to me to be totally inadequate. John P Baker Software Engineer -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of john gilmore Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 09:18 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: What's a programming language Perlis's three-pronged formulation: A programming language provides mechanisms for o identifying a data type or data types, o specifying operations on them, and o speciifying a path or paths of control among these operations, has not been improved upon in, now, forty odd years; and it seems unlikely that it will be possible to replace it with a more perspicuous formulation anytime soon. On Perlis's formulation LISP is a programming language. John Gilmore Ashland, MA 01721-1817 USA _________________________________________________________________ Find a local pizza place, music store, museum and more.then map the best route! http://local.live.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
