Write-only language
A write-only language is a programming language with syntax (or semantics) sufficiently dense and bizarre that any routine of significant size is automatically write-only code.[1] Write-only code is source code so arcane, complex, or ill-structured that it cannot be reliably modified or even comprehended by anyone with the possible exception of the author.[2]
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[edit] Description
Write-only language is also referred to as line noise, suggesting that the code looks like spurious characters from signal noise in the communication line. Some[which?] programmers believe that certain languages make it easy to write (subjectively) "bad" programs. In such a language it would be more difficult to read, understand, and modify existing source code than to start over and rewrite it from scratch. To modify an existing program to make it more understandable is called code refactoring.
Languages that are often derided as write-only include APL, DDT, Forth, TECO,[3] and regular expression syntax used in various languages. Attributes that these languages have in common include a large set of operators and a syntax which permits (or encourages) the writing of very dense code. It is also a common feature of esoteric programming languages that strive to have obfuscated code, such as INTERCAL. Some languages are instead too simple: Original BASIC is a language that is easy for very small programs, but bad for larger ones, due to lack of features like proper naming, proper indenting and proper subroutines.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Computing Dictionary - write-only language". DICTIONARY.COM Retrieved on August 5, 2009
- ^ "Computing Dictionary - write-only code". DICTIONARY.COM Retrieved on August 5, 2009
- ^ Finseth, Craig A. (2006). The Craft of Text Editing. Lulu. ISBN 978-1-4116-8297-9. http://www.finseth.com/craft.
[edit] External links
- Write-Only Language entry in the Jargon File
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