Programming language theory
Overview[edit | edit source]
Programming language theory is a branch of computer science that deals with the design, implementation, analysis, characterization, and classification of programming languages and their individual features. It falls within the discipline of computer science and is closely related to formal language theory, type theory, and mathematical logic.
History[edit | edit source]
The study of programming languages began in the 1950s with the development of the first high-level programming languages. Early languages such as Fortran, Lisp, and COBOL laid the groundwork for modern programming language theory. The development of lambda calculus by Alonzo Church in the 1930s provided a formal framework for understanding computation, which has influenced the design of many programming languages.
Key Concepts[edit | edit source]
Syntax and Semantics[edit | edit source]
Programming languages are defined by their syntax and semantics. Syntax refers to the structure or form of the code, while semantics refers to the meaning of the code. Syntax is often described using context-free grammar, while semantics can be described using various formal methods such as operational semantics, denotational semantics, and axiomatic semantics.
Type Systems[edit | edit source]
A type system is a set of rules that assigns a property called a "type" to the various constructs of a computer program, such as variables, expressions, functions, or modules. The main purpose of a type system is to reduce bugs in computer programs by defining interfaces between different parts of a program and ensuring that they are used consistently.
Lambda Calculus[edit | edit source]
Lambda calculus is a formal system in mathematical logic and computer science for expressing computation based on function abstraction and application. It forms the basis of functional programming languages and is a core concept in programming language theory.
Paradigms[edit | edit source]
Programming languages can be classified into different programming paradigms based on their features and intended use. Some common paradigms include:
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
