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Differences between version 6 and predecessor to the previous major change of Algol.

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Newer page: version 6 Last edited on Sunday, April 24, 2005 12:08:23 am by BobRiemersma Revert
Older page: version 3 Last edited on Monday, December 8, 2003 12:36:20 am by SamJansen Revert
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-!!! Algol 60 
+!!! [ Algol] 60 
  
-The first ProgrammingLanguage with a context-free grammar (BackusNaurForm was invented to describe it). It was a simple [Pascal]-like language (actually, the predecessor to Pascal) meant for expressing mathematical algorithms. The uglier language [Fortran] was already being used for this, and had the support of [IBM], so Algol 60 never really took off. Many [ systems programming |http://www.wlug.org.nz/CategorySystemsProgrammingLanguages ] extensions of Algol were created in the 60's , notably by Burroughs Corporation, which no longer exists . [C] now fills that role
+It was a simple [Pascal]-like language (actually, the predecessor to [ Pascal] ) meant for expressing mathematical algorithms. The uglier language [Fortran] was already being used for this, and had the support of [IBM], so [ Algol] 60 never really took off. Many systems programming extensions of [ Algol] were created in the 60s , notably by Burroughs Corporation, which merged with Sperry Corporation in 1986 to form the Unisys Corporation . Unisys continues to produce mainframe computers that run the MCP operating system, for which systems programming and application programming are still widely done in Algol 60 derived languages such as NEWP, Algol, DCAlgol, and DMAlgol
  
-Algol 60 on Linux: The [GNU] Project's [MARST Algol -to-C translator | http://www.gnu .org/software/marst/]
+The first ProgrammingLanguage with a context -free grammar (BackusNaurForm was invented to describe it) . Introduced static scoping
  
-!!! Algol 68 
+!!! [ Algol] 68 
  
-A general purpose successor to Algol 60 designed by a committee over many years. Too many years: history passed it by, and the end result was considered too complex to implement efficiently on computers of the day. Although the few programmers who did get to use it love it. 
+A general purpose successor to [ Algol] 60 designed by a committee over many years -- too many years. History passed it by and the end result was considered too complex to implement efficiently on computers of the day, although the few programmers who did get to use it love it. 
  
-Algol 68 on Linux: J. M. van der Veer's [Algol 68 G interpreter | http: //www.xs4all.nl /~jmvdveer /algol.html]
+Introduced augmented assignment (<tt>+=< /tt> <tt>-=< /tt> <tt>*=< /tt> <tt> /=</tt> etc)
  
-Gaze in awe at [Glyn | GlynWebster ]'s [Algol68 | http://www.wave.co.nz/~glyn/befunge.a68] skillz.  
+!!! [Algol ] W (1965)  
  
-!!! Algol W 
+By CharlesAntonyRichardHoare and NicolasWirth (the "W" in "[Algol] W"). Not very widely used, but influential on later languages in its features; [Pascal] often gets credit for invention of a number of things that actually appeared first in [ Algol]- W or other languages.  
  
-We're getting really obscure here. See [AlgolWCompiler ], NicolasWirth
+Introduced case/switch statement invented by CharlesAntonyRichardHoare (he says his proudest invention), which is characterized by a sequence of non-ordered non-overlapping values/ranges (as opposed to the primitive [Algol ]-60 goto-switch or [Lisp]'s cond). Introduced passing parameters by value-result (a.k.a. in-out parameters)
  
 ---- 
-CategoryImperativeProgrammingLanguages 
+  
+See also:  
+  
+* [Algol] 60 on Linux: The [GNU] Project's [MARST | http://www.gnu.org/software/marst/], an [Algol] to [C] translator.  
+* [Algol] 68 on Linux: J. M. van der Veer's [Algol 68 G interpreter | http://www.xs4all.nl/~jmvdveer/algol.html].  
+* [AlgolWCompiler]  
+* GlynWebster's [Algol68 skillz | http://www.wave.co.nz/~glyn/befunge.a68]  
+  
+----  
+Part of CategoryProgrammingLanguages, CategoryImperativeProgrammingLanguages