Archaic computer languages

chalsall · 2022-02-17, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by xilman

I would prefer the verb "aimer".

Absolutely unassailable to me.

I tried /hard/ to learn various languages.

The computer languages were trivial. The human languages were far too complicated.

BudgieJane · 2022-02-18, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

Absolutely unassailable to me.

I tried /hard/ to learn various languages.

The computer languages were trivial. The human languages were far too complicated.

I always saw computer languages as a variation of English. Then I encountered APL. That I saw as a variation of mathematics, and therefore much easier than the others.

chalsall · 2022-02-18, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by BudgieJane

I always saw computer languages as a variation of English. Then I encountered APL. That I saw as a variation of mathematics, and therefore much easier than the others.

Yeah. Similar paths. The Forth language was also very interesting to my personal learning.

I understand the importance of COBOL. I failed the UVic courses which require code to be submitted to solve particular problems in COBOL.

If I May... I asked to be allowed to offer solutions using instead the C language from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada while I was paying to "learn" there.

The requests were rejected "with prejudice". Mostly because the advisors didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

One works with what one is given...

Feedback on this is welcomed by those who have "walked in similar sandals...

chris2be8 · 2022-02-19, 16:57

I've programmed in COBOL and supported the compilers while working as a MVS systems programmer.

It was not bad for a first try at a high level language (it was one of the first two, the other being FORTRAN), but I would not recommend it for any new project. Some of the problems are things that would not be obvious until there was a high level language to use (assembly language has worse problems). And some of the problems are because the process of updating the specification for COBOL seems to be controlled by language lawyers who know a lot about the theory of computer languages, but have not done much actual programming.

Now lets get back on topic.

xilman · 2022-02-19, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris2be8

I've programmed in COBOL and supported the compilers while working as a MVS systems programmer.

It was not bad for a first try at a high level language (it was one of the first two, the other being FORTRAN), but I would not recommend it for any new project. Some of the problems are things that would not be obvious until there was a high level language to use (assembly language has worse problems). And some of the problems are because the process of updating the specification for COBOL seems to be controlled by language lawyers who know a lot about the theory of computer languages, but have not done much actual programming.

Now lets get back on topic.

Perhaps this sub-thread could be given a life of its own as a separate thread. If Algol 68, why not COBOL? Another dinosaur still in use, though not very much these days.

Uncwilly · 2022-02-19, 20:13

I played around with LOGO on an Apple ][c back in the day.

paulunderwood · 2022-02-19, 20:40

I came across Forth and APL (with its special keyboard) at Uni. Ruby is my favorite OO language not having studied Simula.

Interestingly, gforth is in my Debian repository.

chalsall · 2022-02-19, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

I played around with LOGO on an Apple ][c back in the day.

Yeah. Ditto.

I was already doing Z-80 and 6502 by that time. So while the idea was interesting from a teaching perspective, it didn't really grab my attention. Please Google for "logo language simulator" for some nostalgia...

petrw1 · 2022-02-20, 02:35

I started my learning/career with BASIC/COBOL/FORTRAN.

They served me very well in the 80s/90s.

COBOL is on Life Support in Canada but not dead.

Uncwilly · 2022-02-20, 04:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrw1

COBOL is on Life Support in Canada but not dead.

It is basically Amendment 2.5 US Constitution as far as US Government computer systems are concerned. "From my cold dead hands!"

xilman · 2022-02-20, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrw1

I started my learning/career with BASIC/COBOL/FORTRAN.

They served me very well in the 80s/90s.

COBOL is on Life Support in Canada but not dead.

BASIC, FORTRAN and Algol 60 here. Two outof three surviving to the present aint bad. Admittedly, BASIC is in ICU but it is hanging on in there. FORTRAN is thriving.

2022-02-19, 20:40	#7
paulunderwood Sep 2002 Database er0rr 109C₁₆ Posts	I came across Forth and APL (with its special keyboard) at Uni. Ruby is my favorite OO language not having studied Simula. Interestingly, gforth is in my Debian repository. Last fiddled with by paulunderwood on 2022-02-19 at 21:41

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2022-02-19, 16:57	#4
chris2be8 Sep 2009 940₁₆ Posts	I've programmed in COBOL and supported the compilers while working as a MVS systems programmer. It was not bad for a first try at a high level language (it was one of the first two, the other being FORTRAN), but I would not recommend it for any new project. Some of the problems are things that would not be obvious until there was a high level language to use (assembly language has worse problems). And some of the problems are because the process of updating the specification for COBOL seems to be controlled by language lawyers who know a lot about the theory of computer languages, but have not done much actual programming. Now lets get back on topic.

2022-02-19, 20:13	#6
Uncwilly 6809 > 6502 """"""""""""""""""" Aug 2003 101×103 Posts 7³·31 Posts	I played around with LOGO on an Apple ][c back in the day.

2022-02-20, 02:35	#9
petrw1 1976 Toyota Corona years forever! "Wayne" Nov 2006 Saskatchewan, Canada 3·37·47 Posts	I started my learning/career with BASIC/COBOL/FORTRAN. They served me very well in the 80s/90s. COBOL is on Life Support in Canada but not dead.