Research draft

computer language

vr.tr.computer-language · INF.MED

Let an agent explain computer languages as a category, classify their kinds, relay how they are defined and standardised, and distinguish computer languages from natural languages and from programming languages specifically.

Thing Registry Information and virtual systems

Research draft, second pass

A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.

written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify

Researched by: Claude

Purpose and description

A formal language designed for communication with or between computers, encompassing programming languages, markup and style sheet languages, data description and query languages, specification languages, configuration and modelling languages, and domain-specific languages such as Gherkin for behaviour-driven development and the Structure of Management Information for network management; computer languages are defined by syntax and semantics, implemented by compilers and interpreters, and classified as general-purpose or domain-specific.

What it is for: Communicating instructions and data with computers.

It can be explain the category and kinds; relay definition and standardisation; describe classification; distinguish from natural and programming languages.

Distinguishing features

Formal syntax and semantics

Machine processing

General-purpose or domain-specific

Standards and implementations

What it looks like

Not a visible object; text in defined syntax.

Physical character

programming languages documented: thousands count - historical catalogues

How it is recognised

Formal language for computers

Programming, markup, style sheet, data, query, specification and domain-specific languages

Natural languages are human; programming languages are one kind of computer language

Related models

is a kind of - in registry terms

formal language

is a kind of - in registry terms

intellectual work

includes - as a major kind

programming language

is contrasted with - used by humans

natural language

In practice

Families and kinds

programming languages

markup languages such as HTML and XML

style sheet languages such as CSS

data description and query languages such as SQL and JSON Schema

specification and modelling languages

configuration and build languages

domain-specific languages such as Gherkin and SMI

Identifiers

ISO/IEC 2382 vocabulary information technology

Standards and regulation

ISO, ECMA, W3C and IETF language standards

Open source licences for implementations

No regulation of languages as such

Failure modes and hazards

Blurred category boundaries

Confusing language with implementation

Obsolescence

Also called

Structure of Management InformationGherkin (BDD language)style sheet languagedata description languagespecification languagegeneral-purpose languagemodeling languagemachine languagedatabase languageoff-side rule languageDaplexlanguage complexitydomain-specific languageO-codetransformation languagequery languagespacecraft command languageuser interface style sheet languageManaged Object Formatmodel transformation languagedata modeling languageontology languageDembedded domain-specific languageexternal domain-specific languagetemplate languageJaqlLanguage Integrated QueryGraph Query Languageinformation retrieval query languagedata query languageLINQ to Entities

Where this came from

wikidata · CC0 1.0

Source repository Registry entry point

Also registered as vr.tr.computer-language

Drafted structure

Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.

Understand What a computer language is.

Definition.

Definition

Definition and kinds.

Definition

Definition.

What is a computer language, and what kinds exist beyond programming languages? definition
Is the question about computer languages in general or a specific kind or language? boundary

Classification

Classification.

Classification

Classification.

How are languages classified as general-purpose or domain-specific, and by paradigm and purpose? definition
Which entry fits the specific language? action

Define Definition and implementation.

Practice.

Syntax

Syntax and semantics.

Syntax

Syntax.

How are computer languages defined by grammars and semantics? provenance
Which references are standard? provenance

Implementation

Compilers and interpreters.

Implementation

Implementation.

How are languages implemented and standardised? provenance
Which entry fits compiler? action

Kinds Specific kinds.

Context.

Markup

Markup, style and data languages.

Markup

Markup.

What are markup, style sheet, data description and query languages, with examples? provenance
Which entry fits the specific kind? action

DSL

Domain-specific and specification languages.

DSL

DSL.

What are domain-specific and specification languages such as Gherkin and SMI, and when are they used? provenance
Which sources are cited? provenance

Context History and theory.

Context.

History

History.

History

History.

How did computer languages develop from machine code to modern languages? provenance
Which entry fits the history of programming languages? action

Theory

Formal language theory.

Theory

Theory.

How does formal language theory underpin computer languages? provenance
Which entry fits formal language? action

What the second pass must settle

Should programming language be the primary linked entry?
How should standards bodies be linked?
The registry entry has merged aliases naming specific languages and kinds; should they be split off?

Draft as JSON