Talk:Spreadsheet

What kind of programming language

I've removed the sentence: "Specifically, they are functional, visual, and multiparadigm languages".

In a sense spreadsheets are not functional, since programs can be constructed that use cells as variables - intermediate states in a semi-automated process. They are not visual: programs are not created by direct manipulation of objects, but by typing formulas. And to assert that they are multiparadigm, one should explain what paradigms it does cover. Diego Moya (talk) 09:25, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

I agree on every point, although I would argue that spreadsheets are not functional because they don't support functions as first-class values. But I guess it depends on what definition you use for "functional". Good catch, though. – Adrian Willenbücher (talk) 14:16, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

The criteria for being a functional language is that each expression is a call to a function having to side-effects or mutable state, passing parameters that themselves are expressions. Support for functions as first-class values is a feature found in many (but not all) functional languages, but it is not a criteria for being a functional language. I agree with Diego's critique that extensions to spreadsheets such as the ability in Excel to call imperative VBA code, from which side-effects can be introduced, means that they are no longer pure functional languages. However, without those extensions -- with just cell-formulas themselves, the claim that they are functional languages is valid IMHO. I think it is a given that other functional languages are dramatically more expressive/powerful (in a pragmatic sense) and contain many compelling features not found in spreadsheets.

There is a visual aspect to spreadsheets -- things are arranged in a visual grid layout. Granted, they are nowhere near as visual as alternative and far superior modeling tools such as Analytica where models are portrayed as distinct visual objects, I think it is clearly the case that the visual layout of information plays a very important role in spreadsheet models. - User:Ldc —Preceding undated comment added 23:19, 13 November 2010 (UTC).

"Killer App" ?

Why use such a phrase? Spreadsheets were around long before that God-awful phrase was, and quite frankly "must have application" is perfectly adequate and reads far more elloquently and in plainer English. Incidentally, in whose opinion is a the spreadsheet the first "Killer App" anyway? Word Processor's were around before Spreadsheets, AND I would hardly call the early developers and users of them "hobbyists". — Preceding unsigned comment added by MrZoolook (talk • contribs) 12:34, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

Ok, lets do this the hard way. Any citation for sales figures of home computers before and after the release of VisiCalc to substantiate the claim that it was more of a must have application then any corresponding word-processor? If not, I will re-edit the article to remove the reference on the basis that the article is not citing a reference to backup that claim in any way. "Mealy mouthed" or not, lets settle for facts instead. MrZoolook (talk) 09:45, 12 July 2011 (UTC)

History of Industry Forms Vs. Spreadsheet History

There seem a one-sided representaion of spreadsheet history !. From the Oil Industry, and generaly, it seems more reasonable that ship's engineer's (or similar) log, or process log sheets, and of course matrix data blocks for early process design assistance, is more likely to `push' the `need' (not +, -, % !). Secondly, if `lazy and non-imaginetive' could assume finace Ind. would name from the product sites `readings' sheets, of flows, tonnage, etc.(just add another column of costs !), and also, if imaginetive would'nt you thick they would come up with a better name, e.g. Cash Ledger (which do exist. No, just a coulpe of columns for finace means don't need to, or can, repeatly open-out sheets, and to `spread' to see. While for navigation estimate, boiler room check, process plant checks, etc, you do, and keep the `records' for obvious reasons, e.g. trending, maintenace, usage, order more feed stock..... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.148.255.153 (talk) 14:25, 11 February 2012 (UTC)