The Eric Normand Podcast The Synthesis of Algorithmic Systems
Jan 11, 2021
Explore the historical significance of Algol and its role in shaping programming languages. The discussion highlights Alan Perlis's influence on language design, tackling the balance between efficiency and generality. Additionally, the evolution of programming flexibility is examined, celebrating languages like Lisp for their dynamic coding capabilities. The conversation navigates through past advancements and future possibilities, showcasing how these elements contribute to modern software development.
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Language Design Cost
- Designing a programming language is expensive.
- Only design one if you'll write a lot of code in it or if it significantly improves code quality.
Data Structures and Algorithms
- Algorithms require knowledge of data structure.
- General programming languages need general data structures.
Language Flexibility
- A language's flexibility is measured by what programmers can vary.
- Interactive software changes constantly and is never truly finished.