Topic: object transformation language

Summary

Programming is the transformation of data objects and input into results. Programs can be represented by these transformations. For instance APL manipulates arrays without concern for data typing, block structure, declarations or control structures. In APL object transformation is emphasized, but all programming languages perform by transforming a computer's current state. Object-oriented languages emphasize the transformation of objects via the object's methods.

Advantages-- Object transformation supports incremental development and gives programmers a concrete foundation in data objects. (cbb 5/80)

Subtopic: environment vs. procedures

Quote: should conceptualize program organization in terms of environments instead of procedures

Quote: can define multiple generators with a single procedure and multiple environments [»hansDR5_1978]

Subtopic: importance of data

QuoteRef: smitDC6_1975 ;;7 "The mind must have something structural to manipulate

Quote: the behavior of a system is the time pattern of its data structures [»bellCG_1971]

Subtopic: array processing languages

QuoteRef: wegnP12_1976 ;;1219 APL successful despite (because) of no block structure (subroutine and workspace scoping only) no explicit typing, few explicit control structures (just goto with array operations for implicit looping)

QuoteRef: wegnP12_1976 ;;1220 "However, it may well turn out that programming languages of the future will be more APL-like than Pascal-like

QuoteRef: gallBA4_1967 ;; want to be able to say K= c * T ((a*T b) * T (g+d) where T is the transposition of a matrix; define this in the language

QuoteRef: cbb_1973 ;;11/24/74 dealing with objects and how the objects are transformed, e.g., APL

QuoteRef: coheS4_1974 ;;119 Speakeasy is an operator-operand language with structured objects and full type checking. Like APL

Subtopic: files of objects

QuoteRef: molnG8_1971 ;;239 program made of a file of objects with current position

Related Topics

Group: data   (140 topics, 3126 quotes)
Group: object-oriented programming   (26 topics, 822 quotes)

Topic: arrays (58 items)
Topic: data type as constructors, selectors, and predicates (20 items)
Topic: list processing (15 items)
Topic: no need for replacement (4 items)
Topic: object modification (10 items)
Topic: procedures as data (22 items)
Topic: set-oriented languages (20 items)
Topic: structure transformation languages (7 items)
Topic: transformation of programs (27 items)
Topic: universal data type
(18 items)