Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!gatech!hubcap!steve
From: steve@ragman (Steve Stevenson)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.misc
Subject: Re: Algol-68 down for the count (was: Why have FORTRAN 8x at all?)
Message-ID: <3688@hubcap.UUCP>
Date: 29 Nov 88 19:46:27 GMT
References: <406@ubbpc.UUCP>
Sender: news@hubcap.UUCP
Reply-To: steve@ragman
Lines: 31

From article <406@ubbpc.UUCP>, by wgh@ubbpc.UUCP (William G. Hutchison):
> 
> Ada	success-1?	failure-2?	small group (Ichbiah & Co.)?
> Algol-60 success-1	failure-2	small group
> Algol-68 success-1??	failure-2	committee
> C	success-1	success-2	small group
> COBOL	failure-1	success-2	committee
> FORTRAN	failure-1	success-2	small group
> FORTH	failure-1	success-2?	small group
> LISP	success-1	failure-2(this is changing)	small group
> Modula2	success-1	success-2	small group
> Pascal	success-1	success-2	small group
> PL/I	failure-1	failure-2	large committee

Though your table seems to be correct as far as languages now in use
is concerned, I think you should look at another perspective.  The
impact of Algol-60 on the follow designs is considerable.  The fact
that call by name is still considered a valid question on the advanced
CS part of the GRE is some evidence.

There are notable absences on the list: Simula-67 for example.  Simula
is the ancestor of Ada and Modula.  Likewise, CPL and BCPL.

Languages are often busts because their inventors try to pass them
off as the UNIQUE solution to ALL the world's problems.  C, when
if first came out, me with tremendous resistance.  It's still would not
be my choice to write a check writing program.  Pragmatic issues will
win out.
Steve (really "D. E.") Stevenson           steve@hubcap.clemson.edu
Department of Computer Science,            (803)656-5880.mabell
Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-1906