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From: steven@mcvax.UUCP (Steven Pemberton)
Newsgroups: net.cog-eng,net.lang
Subject: Re: Time for keyword parameters in prog. langs
Message-ID: <5775@mcvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10-Apr-84 11:07:58 EST
Article-I.D.: mcvax.5775
Posted: Tue Apr 10 11:07:58 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Apr-84 07:27:30 EST
References: <3781@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Organization: CWI, Amsterdam
Lines: 32

There is already a language that has most of the features mentioned, namely
the new language 'B' (no relation to the predecessor of C: the name is a
working title). All commands in the language use keywords (eg PUT a IN b
is the assignment command) and this includes procedure calls
(eg MOVE gold FROM cave TO building).

The language is part of a programming environment that includes an editor
that knows about user-defined commands. Thus assuming the existence of the
above MOVE command, when you type the initial M (which you don't have to
type in upper-case) you get something like

	M_OVE ? FROM ? TO ?

Pressing the tab key accepts the suggestion and takes you to the first
parameter position. If you don't want the MOVE command, then you type more
letters, and if the editor knows a command beginning with what you've typed
it suggests that. Things like closing brackets and closing quotes are also
supplied for you.

It is also worth mentioning that the programming environment is self-
contained. B serves as both programming language and job-control language.
Furthermore, since you are always in the editor, there is no need for short
cryptic commands (like 'rm') since for instance D[tab] gives you DELETE (the
equivalent of rm).

There is an implementation for Un*xes, and a newsletter; if you're interested
mail me.  More details on the language in SIGPLAN Dec 1982; on the
environment in the newsletter; on the implementation in the proceedings of
the last Uniforum conference.

Steven Pemberton  (steven@mcvax)
POB 4079, 1009 AB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands