Modularity of computer languages

Abstract

Accepting the coexistence of a variety of computer languages as a fact of life, this paper seeks to make a virtue of necessity by proposing a modular framework within which these languages can be used. Examples of the types of languages considered are command languages, programming languages, data manipulation and definition languages, data communication languages and text editor languages. Aspects of syntactic modularity and semantic modularity are distinguished, and some answers to difficult questions are suggested, leading to a proposal for specific RUN and EXECUTE constructs that should be made widely available. Discussion is mainly at the level of the visible and conceptual concerns of the end user and the system architect, but the actual implementation of interconnection mechanisms is not totally ignored. A tutorial outline is offered as an indication of how the underlying ideas might be introduced to non‐specialists, and might even become a part of elementary education. Copyright © 1982 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd