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Programming Languages: History and Future

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đź“ś Abstract

This paper discusses a wide variety of aspects of programming languages, past, present, and future. The history of programming languages is traced from the 1950s to the present, and possible future developments are considered. Problems and successes of individual languages are mentioned, along with attempts to provide a broader understanding of their roles within the computing community. The ever-present question concerning the criteria used to select a language, as well as their influence on one another, is mentioned. A methodology for evaluating languages is given.

✨ Summary

Jean E. Sammet’s 1972 paper, “Programming Languages: History and Future,” is a comprehensive review of the development of programming languages, looking at their evolution from the 1950s and considering potential future directions. The paper analyzes individual programming languages, their successes and problems, and discusses the broader role programming languages play in the computing ecosystem, including criteria for language selection and their mutual influences.

Although explicit citations or subsequent works directly referencing this paper were difficult to locate, the document itself is representative of the body of work that influenced early academic thought in programming language evolution and classification. At the time, it provided a framework for understanding the variety of programming languages available and set a foundation for the evaluation of new languages as they emerged. Given the author’s prominence and the historical nature of the paper, it likely contributed, albeit indirectly, to subsequent educational approaches and language design decisions. As of today, the principles outlined in the paper are echoed throughout modern discussions about language development and classification. For example, works that explore the historical context of programming languages often cite works by Jean Sammet as a foundational perspective [e.g., “The History of Programming Languages,” Brookshear (2012)].