DOCUMENT RESUME ED 274 326 IR 012 306 AUTHOR Cugini, John V. TITLE Selection and Use of General-Purpose Programming . Languages--Overview. 'Volume 1. INSTITUTION National Bureau of Standards (DOC), Washington, D.C. Inst. for Computer Sciences and Technology. REPORT NO NBS-SP-500-117/1 PUB DATE Oct 84 NOTE 100p. AVAILABLE FROMSuperintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. PUB TYPE Guides - General (050) -- Information Analyses (070) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC04 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Authoring Aids (Programing); *Comparative Analysis; Computer Graphics; *Computer Oriented Programs; Database Management Systems; Data Processing; *Evaluation Criteria; Federal Government; Industry; *Microcomputers; Programing; *Programing Languages; Selection; *Standards IDENTIFIERS BASIC Programing Language; COBOL Programing Language; FORTRAN Programing Language; PASCAL Programing Language ABSTRACT This study presents a review of selection factors for the seven major general-purpose programming languages: Ada, BASIC, C, COBOL, FORTRAN, PASCAL, and PL/I. The factors covered include not only the logical operations within each language, but also the advantages and disadvantages stemming from the current computing environment, e.g., software packages, microcomputers, and standards. This volume contains the discussion of language selection criteria based on: (1) the language and its implementation; (2) the application to be programmed; and (3) the user's existing facilities and software. Explanations of the criteria associated with the application and the user's facilities are included as well as 49 references. Appendices contain a list of abbreviations used, an annotated list of organizations that can provide additional information, and a discussion of alternatives to conventional programming. (Author/DJR) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** U.S. Department of Commerce Computer Science National Bureau of Standards and Technology U.S. DEPARTMENT Of EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION NBS Special Publication 500-117, Volume 1 CENTER (ERIC) VI This document Imas been reproduceel as received horn the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve Selection and Use of reproduction Quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this docu- ment do not necessarily represent official General-Purpose Programming OERI positon or policy. Languages Overview BEST COPY AVAILABLE 2 he National Bureau of Standards' was established by an act of Congresson March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the nation's science and technology andfacilitate their effective applicationfor public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts research and proides: (I)a basis for the nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technologifal services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau's technical work is performed by the National Measurement Laboratory, the National Engineering Laboratory, the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology, and the Center for Materials Science. The National Measurement Laboratory Provides the national system of physical and chemical measurement; Basic Standar& coordinates the system with measurement systems of other nations and Radiation Research furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical and Chemical Physics chemical measurement throughout the Nation's scientific community, in- Analytical Chemistry dustry, and commerce; provides advisory and research services to other Government agencies; conducts physical and chemical research; develops, produces, and distributes Standard Reference'Materials; and provides calibration services. The Laboratory consists of the following centers: The National Engineering Laboratory Provides technology and technical services to the public and private sectors to Applied Mathematics addres: national needs and to solve national problems; conducts research in Electronics and Electrical engineeing and applied science in support of these efforts; builds and main- Engineering2 tains competence in the necessary disciplines required to carry out this Manufacturing Engineering research and technical service; develops engineering data and measurement Building Technology capabilities; provides engineering measurement traceability services; develops Fire Research test methods and proposes engineering standards and code changes; develops Chemical Engineering2 and proposes new engineering practices; and develops and improves mechanisms to transfer results of its research to the ultimate user. The Laboratory consists of the following centers: The Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology Conducts research and provides scientific and technical services to aid Programming Science and Federal agencies in the selection, acquisition, application, anduse of com- Technology puter technology to improve effectiveness and economy in Government Computer Systems operations in accordance with Public Law 89-306 (40 U.S.C. 759), relevant Engineering Executive Orders, and other directives; carries out this mission by managing the Federal Information Processing Standards Program, developing Federal ADP standards guidelines, and managing Federal participation in ADP voluntary standardization activities; provides scientific and technological ad- visory services and assistance to Federal agencies; and provides the technical foundation for computer-related policies of the Federal Government. The In- stitute consists of the following centers: The Center for Materkds Science Conducts research and provides measurements, data, standards, reference Inorganic Materials materials, quantitative understanding and other technical information funda- Fracture and Deformation3 mental to the processing, structure, properties and performance of materials; Polymers addresses the scientific basis for new advanced materials technologies; plans Metallurgy research around cross-country scientific themes such as nondestructive Reactor Radiation evaluation and phase diagram development; oversees Bureau-wide technical programs in nuclear reactor radiation research and nondestructive evalua- tion; and broadly disseminates generic technical information resulting from its programs. The Center consists of the following Divisions: 'Headquarlers and Laboraiories al Ganhersburg, MD, unless otherwise noied: rnaihng address Gaiihersburg, MD 20899. 2Some divisions wiihin ihe center are located at Boulder, CO 80303. 3Locaied al Boulder, CO, wilh some elemenis al Gaiihersburg. MD. Computer Science and Technology NBS Special Publication 500-117, Volume 1 Selection and Use of General-Purpose Programming Languages Overview John V. Cugini Center for Programming Science and Technology Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology National Bureau of Standards Gaithersburg, MD 20899 011 Of %Au Of 4% U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary National Bureau of Standards Ernest Ambler, Director Issued October 1984 4 Reports on Computer Science and Technology The National Bureau of Standards has a special responsibility within the Federal Government for computer science and technology activities. The programs of the NBS Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology are designed to provide ADP standards, guidelines, and technical advisory services to improve the effectiveness of computer utilization in the Federal sector, and to perform appropriate research and development efforts as foundation for such activities and programs.This publication series will report these NBS efforts to the Federal computer community as well as to interested specialists in the academic and private sectors. Those wishing to receive notices of publications in this series should complete and return the form at the end of this publication. Library of Congress Ca.talog Card Number: 84-601119 National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 500-117, Volume 1 Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 500-117, Vol. 1, 81 pages (Oct. 1984) CODEN: XNBSAV U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1984 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, DC 20402 PREFACE: Role of ICST The Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology (ICST) within the National Bureau of Standards (RBS) has a mission under Public Law 89-306 (Brooks Act) to promote the "economic and efficient purchase, lease, maintenance, operation, and utilization of automatic dataprocessing equipmentby Federal departments and agencies." Thus, ICSTpursues a number of different approaches to the problem ofapplication development andmaintenance. When a potentially valuable technique first appears, ICST may be involved in research and evaluation. Later on, standardization of the resultsof such research, in cooperation with voluntary industry standards bodies, may best serve Federal interests. Finally, ICST helps Federal agencies make practical use of existing standards and technology through directconsulting and the development of supporting guidelines and software. The developmentand promotion of standard pl:ogramming languages provide an especially clear example of this cycle of technological development. Through its activitieswithin