A survey “APL thinking”

ABSTRACT

During the APL86 conference in Manchester, England, we conducted a questionnaire survey of some aspects of "APL Thinking." We feel that the findings are as useful now as then, so to provide feedback to the APL community, we summarize the results here.The purpose of the survey was to understand how people think while programming in APL. Our ultimate aim is to improve the learning, teaching, and dissemination of APL.Respondents were specifically asked to concentrate on the thinking processes involved in APL programming, rather than on applications, language design and enhancements, or environment and implementation issues. (See the sample form on page 8 for a facsimile of the questionnaire.)

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: APL

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.2 Installation Management
          Subjects: Performance and usage measurement

General Terms:
Languages, Management, Measurement, Performance