I think that the definition needs to include something in respect to "human readable".
Is JCL a programming language? I will argue that it is not. Although JCL has in recent times been provided with some primitive flow control and variable manipulation capabilities, I believe that these are insufficient to promote JCL to the status of a "programming language". Is SQL a programming language? Again, I will argue that it is not. SQL may be embedded into a programming language for the purpose of providing relational database access and manipulation control extensions to that language. However, in and of itself, SQL is NOT a programming language. Are HTML and XML programming languages? Again, I will argue that they are not. I am unaware of any clear definition that applies. Anyone care to go down in history for writing a new definition? At any rate, I believe that HTML and XML are best viewed as embedded data description languages. John P Baker Software Engineer -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Charles Mills Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 13:24 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: What's a programming language The definition works for me (and I think this is an interesting exercise). Paraphrasing, a programming language has - Variables - Data manipulation (MOVE, MVCL, PARSE, whatever) - Flow control (CALL, PERFORM, DO, etc.) I don't think a table of op codes would meet that definition. Is something missing from the definition? As we all use "computer language" there has to be some sort of compiler or interpreter (at least a theoretical or envisioned compiler, in the case of a new and as-yet-unimplemented language). JCL is a stretch. The L may stand for language, but there's no P in there. I suppose SET introduces variables and IF is certainly flow control, albeit pretty brain-dead flow control. Is HTML a programming language? XML? Does SQL have flow control? Charles ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
