Re: simple vs complex languages

Steve_Lipscombe@amat.com wrote:


> If a language is designed with a simple, consistent syntax then it is
> not only easier for the compiler to parse, but (more importantly) it
> is easier for humans to understand and therefore easier to get
> right. Can you guess I like Pascal, which was designed from the outset
> for a single pass RDP?


In virtually any field of human speciality, a more precise language
becomes the norm, even if no machines are involved, from medical
professions, to legal, and science. Finally math, even though it was
originally only for human consumption, is very precise.


Computers WILL do a good job of understanding english, but computers
won't be programmed that way. If you had a computer that understood
english tomorrow, and was itself a good emulation of a human, you
would find a more precise language than english to tell it what to do.


--
The fact that Pascal has been repeatedly raped does not make it any less
virtuous.

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