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From: rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn)
Newsgroups: net.lang
Subject: Re: What language do you use for scientific programming?
Message-ID: <59@opus.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Sep-85 03:04:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: opus.59
Posted: Wed Sep 18 03:04:45 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Sep-85 06:28:43 EDT
References: <909@oddjob.UUCP> <3130001@csd2.UUCP>
Organization: NBI,Inc, Boulder CO
Lines: 17

> Algol 68 is the right language for scientific programming. Rich operators,
> good sizing of types (modes) i.e. long long real x; (probably H format on 
> a Vax). Complex data type supported. Ease of algorithm specification. 
> I cannot see why anyone needs anything else. It has everthing C does and more.

It has everything C does except available implementations, interfaces to
operating systems on which it exists, a user community for help, accessible
tutorial information and readable reference material...
in short, everything except contact with reality (as we know it).

Don't misunderstand me--it's a marvelous language design (except for the
`long' and `short' qualifiers, which are the same screwup as C, FOOTRAN,
etc.)  But I don't use language designs to do my work.  I use language
implementations.
-- 
Dick Dunn	{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd		(303)444-5710 x3086
   ...Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been.


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