Unknown Programming Languages

Andrew Cook posted a link to Bruce Axtens' list of unknown programming languages on LtU. What makes this list really useful is that it gives a brief description of what makes each language special.

For example, I've come across ABC several times in the past, mainly because it always shows up first in alphabetical listings. I had always assumed it was merely an ill-informed BASIC clone, and hadn't given it any more thought. But according to Bruce's blurb, it has a unique blend of design features. For example it has python-style indentation, smalltalk-style persistent program images, bignums, and a "generalized undo mechanism'. That's a significant collection of spiffy features.

It's a long list, so I'll have to tackle it in bits. So far, ALF and Alma look like they might be worth a look-see. They both concern themselves with programs that involve search. To my mind, search is just the runtime implementation of certain kinds of metaprogramming that can't (yet) be solved statically. It leads into the whole subject of predicting, and designing, emergent behavior. I find that stuff fascinating.