Programming with(out) the GOTO

ABSTRACT

A brief history of the goto controversy (retention or deletion of the goto statement) is presented. After considering some of the theoretical and practical aspects of the problem, a summary of arguments both for and against the goto is given.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Control structures

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.3 Coding Tools and Techniques

General Terms:
Languages

Keywords:
Combinatory logic, Computability theory, Control structures, Goto statement, Goto-less programming, Lambda calculus, Markov algorithms, Post systems, Structured programming, Turing machines