The CTalk programming language: a strategic evolution of APL

ABSTRACT

This document presents CTalk, which is a new programming language quite different from APL itself. CTalk is an attempt to combine the “best” features of APL, but also of other languages such as Lisp [9], and offer a language that looks “satisfactory” according to the criteria of the mainstream of computer science. The most important features of CTalk are its syntax, which is very close to the one of the C programming language, the adoption of fundamental conceps that were missing in APL, such as lexical binding, but also the integration of a wide range of array operations that are borrowed from APL./par> It is shown here that CTalk can be implemented more simply and more efficiently than APL, while keeping all the power of APL operations, and being an acceptable alternative to APL itself.

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INDEX TERMS

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

          Nouns: APL

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Procedures, functions, and subroutines; Data types and structures

General Terms:
Design, Languages