Wadge, W.W.
(1978)
Away from the operations view of computer science.
Technical Report.
Department of Computer Science, Coventry, UK.
Abstract
We argue that c1assical programming languages are based on a fundamentally mistaken emphasis on the operational aspect of computation. These languages are seen as the means by which the programmer brings about particular kinds of operational activity (such as procedure calling or message passing). We suggest an alternate philosophy which places the emphasis on static, extensional (mathematical) concepts such as that of function or sequence. We define a simple functional language (Luswim) based on the principles. The Luswim programmer specifies the desired output, and operational concepts such as data flow message passing or coroutine linkage can be used to evaluate the specification. Operational activity occupies its proper place, namely as means to an end rather than an end in itself.
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