2.0 Introduction

These modules focus on language design from an implementation point of view. When FORTRAN was originally designed, it was highly influenced by compiler issues. Features were actually designed into the language because they would facilitate efficient translation.

Ada was designed over a period of years (approximately, 1976 - 1983) with experienced compiler designers as key members of the design team. Because of this, certain features such as static binding (the specification of attributes of various data types before execution time) became part of the language design.

Other languages such as SmallTalk (See BYTE, 1981) were designed to aid the problem solving process. C was designed for ease of programming. Efficient implementations of both of these came later.

Designing a language and designing its implementation go hand in hand. Efficient compilers have made (Ada) or broken (PL/1) a language.

Language Design Issues

Language Design as an Example of the Software Design Process