RE: programming language genealogy

["Steve Richter" <srichter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Hans Boldt
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 8:24 AM
To: rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: programming language genealogy


Jon Paris wrote:
>  >> The direct predecessor of RPG (I) was the plugboard for the 407
> accounting machine, which is arguably not a programming language.
>
>
> Which is exactly what was meant by tabulators (or tabs) which was the
> generic term used by those who did not live in an IBM centric universe.
> i.e. those of us who programmed Hollerith, British Tab, or ICT equipment.
>
> They were certainly programmed.  In addition to the wires, the "language"
> one used was often a crude form of Anglo-Saxon <grin>.  Since the RPG
> "language" was very directly aimed at emulating the 407's functions - it
is
> after all where we get the RPG cycle and indicators from - I think you
have
> to count it as a language and place it directly in the time line.  No
other
> language (to my knowledge).  At one time there was some form of conversion
> routine whereby you described the plugboard programming and it generated
> RPG.  Or did you plug the board into a device and it worked it out?
Getting
> too old and suffering from CRS these days so I can't recall the exact
> details.
> ...

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>Well, since I'm in an argumentative mood this morning, I'll offer up
>Jean Sammet's definition of programming language:

>"a programming language is a set of characters with rules for
>combining them. It has the following characteristics; 1) Machine
>code knowledge is unnecessary, 2) Potential for conversion to other
>computers, 3) Instruction explosion, and 4) problem-oriented notation.".

>By this definition plugboards are not a programming language, even
>though they are certainly programmed.

>(You might want to quibble with Sammet's definition since at one
>time she refused to include RPG in her lists of programming languages!)

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http://www.classic-tv.com/shows/flipper.asp

So when Flipper would communicate with the Ricks family using squeals and
clicks, was Flipper not using a language because her? way of talking is too
low level or did not have the potential for conversion to human speech?

Shouldnt a language avoid ambiguity, as in dont overload the term
"programming language" with a 2nd meaning that is not discernible from the
context of it use?

-Steve