SOME TECHNIQUES FOR DESCRIBING PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES.

Abstract

The paper examines several techniques for describing a programming language, points out desirable qualities in programming language description, and notes some incompatibilities among these qualities. Misconceptions with regard to the appropriate role of compact syntax metalanguages are pointed out. Reasons are adduced for producing a single definitive document to specify a given programming language for the edification of all programmers skilled in the art. A lean mix of compact syntax metalanguage with natural language is recommended for writing such a document. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 04, 1968
Accession Number
AD0666370

Entities

People

  • Millard H. Perstein

Organizations

  • System Development Corporation

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Languages
  • Computer Programming
  • Language
  • Natural Languages
  • Programming Languages

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Computational Linguistics
  • Systems Analysis and Design