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Four Dimensions of programming-language independence

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Daniel J. SalomonAuthors Info & Claims

ACM SIGPLAN Notices, Volume 27, Issue 3

Pages 35 - 53

https://doi.org/10.1145/130854.130859

Published: 01 March 1992 Publication History

Abstract

The features of programming languages can be evaluated according to how they affect programming-language independence in four dimensions. The four dimensions are: 1) machine independence, 2) problem independence, 3) human independence, and 4) time independence. This paper presents a definition of independence, and shows how that definition applies to each of the dimensions. By organizing language features in this way, the strengths and weaknesses of many language designs can be identified, and new directions for programming-language research become apparent. This paper also presents the advantages of, and methods of achieving, independence in these dimensions, and occasionally presents the disadvantages of independence.Each of the four dimensions is treated as a discrete domain, and the elements of each domain are classified according to their properties. The elements of the machine domain are classified according to (a) architecture, (b) machine size, (c) peripheral devices, and (d) operating system. The problem domain is classified according to (a) discipline, (b) problem context, (c) system mode, and (d) problem-solving methods. The human domain is classified according to (a) user qualifications, (b) natural language spoken, (c) the three classes designers, implementors, and users, and (d) independence in the class implementors is considered alone. Finally the time dimension is treated in three time scales: (a) program processing, (b) project development, and (c) language evolution.

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Cited By

Salomon D(2005)Using partial evaluation in support of portability, reusability, and maintainabilityCompiler Construction10.1007/3-540-61053-7_63(208-222)Online publication date: 7-Jun-2005
https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-61053-7_63
Gusev V(1994)Syntactic adaptability of programming languagesCybernetics and Systems Analysis10.1007/BF0236643330:2(298-305)Online publication date: Mar-1994
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02366433
Mody R(1992)Functional programming is not self-modifying codeACM SIGPLAN Notices10.1145/141018.14102127:11(13-14)Online publication date: 1-Nov-1992
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/141018.141021

Index Terms

Four Dimensions of programming-language independence
1. Human-centered computing
  1. Human computer interaction (HCI)
2. Software and its engineering
  1. Software creation and management
    1. Designing software
  2. Software notations and tools
    1. General programming languages
      1. Language types

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Published In

cover image ACM SIGPLAN Notices

ACM SIGPLAN Notices Volume 27, Issue 3

March 1992

51 pages

ISSN:0362-1340

EISSN:1558-1160

DOI:10.1145/130854

Editor:
Richard L. Wexelblat
IDA/CSED, Alexandria, VA

Issue’s Table of Contents

Copyright © 1992 Author.

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

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Published: 01 March 1992

Published in SIGPLAN Volume 27, Issue 3

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Cited By

Salomon D(2005)Using partial evaluation in support of portability, reusability, and maintainabilityCompiler Construction10.1007/3-540-61053-7_63(208-222)Online publication date: 7-Jun-2005
https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-61053-7_63
Gusev V(1994)Syntactic adaptability of programming languagesCybernetics and Systems Analysis10.1007/BF0236643330:2(298-305)Online publication date: Mar-1994
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02366433
Mody R(1992)Functional programming is not self-modifying codeACM SIGPLAN Notices10.1145/141018.14102127:11(13-14)Online publication date: 1-Nov-1992
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/141018.141021

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