1978/05/01 by W. N. Holmes · 4 citations
Computer Science · #Computer science #First-generation programming language #Inductive programming #Logic, programming, and type systems #Model-Driven Software Engineering Techniques #Open Education and E-Learning #Programming domain #Programming language #Programming language specification #Programming paradigm #Very high-level programming language
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/comjnl/21.2.128
published in The Computer Journal 21(2), 128-131 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 1978/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/19
A Journal article entitled ‘Is APL a viable programming language?’ (Earnshaw, 1975), seemed to answer its question with a Yes. This article, written by an APL enthusiast, suggests the answer should have been No, not because APL is not viable, but because it is not a programming language. This suggestion is supported by an examination of what APL is, and of what programming is. The conclusion is drawn that programming, in the occupational sense, should be distinguished from calculation, and that APL is suited to calculation but not to programming.