David has over 40 years of industry experience in software development and information technology and a bachelor of computer science
ALGOL: Types & History
The Effects of Computer Languages
Computers occupy a special place in our lives, and they contribute much to the things we do. They generate the weather maps we see on television, they determine the balances for our bank and credit cards, and they produce many of the special effects we see in movies. It makes sense then that the languages we use to program them would be equally as important. C, C++, C#, Java, Pascal, Fortran, Cobol, Visual Basic, Perl, JavaScript, Python, VBScript, Tcl/Tk/Expects, and the multitude of other languages came from somewhere. Each had an effect on those that came after and owes some debt to those that came before. But, no language was more influential than ALGOL.
What is ALGOL?
ALGOL is an acronym that stands for ALGOrithmic Language. It is a computer language designed specifically for calculation. It was developed in the late 1950's by an international committee and was meant to be a universal computing tool. Unfortunately, it never achieved the success of some of its contemporaries like Fortran and Cobol. Today, it is virtually non-existent, surviving only as a reminder of how we got where we are today. Still, it provided us with many present-day programming language features which include:
- BNF Notation - Backus-Naur Form is a formal means for describing the syntax of a computer language. Think of it as short-hand for computer languages.
- Statement Blocks - This is a syntactic means for grouping a series of programming statements together. Think of this like putting a group of related items in a box, and treating the box as a unit.
- Parameter Passing - Specifically, there are two methods for passing information to and from a subprogram, pass by value, and pass by reference. Think of these as a way to protect information entering a subprogram from modification, one sends a copy, the other sends the actual data.
- Dynamic Arrays - These are a list of values where the size of the list can be determined at run-time. Think of these as flexible arrays, arrays that adjust to the need.
- Reserved Words - These are pre-defined words that have special meaning to a computer language. Think of these like your name. It represents you and the things you can do.
What Types Does the Language Have?
Like many languages we see today, ALGOL had a set of basic types. They included:
- real - These are values with fractional parts, for example, 3.14.
- int - This is a value with no fraction part, for example, 3.
- compl - These are values with a real number and an imaginary number, for example, 3 + 4i, where i is the square root of -1.
- bool - These values are either true (1) or false (0), for example, the result of comparisons like 3 < 4.
- char - These values contain single letters, symbols, or numbers that are interpreted as text.
- bits - This is a packed (no spaces) list of bool, for example, 100111101.
- bytes - This is a packed (no spaces) list of char, for example, hello.
ALGOL also had the ability to create complex types from the above primitives using the type constructors:
- ref - This is a mechanism that created references to objects. It is similar to the & in C/C++ or ref in Pascal.
- struct - This is an aggregating mechanism that grouped various other types. It is similar to C/C++ and the record in Pascal.
- union - This is an aggregating mechanism that allowed you to choose the contents of a complex value from a specified set of types. It is similar to C/C++ and Pascal.
- proc - This is an aggregating mechanism that formed subprograms. It is similar to functions in C, methods in C++, and procedures/functions in Pascal.
What is the History of ALGOL?
ALGOL saw many events and changes through its history. Many of them were political in nature, as committees were created and reviewed the materials produced. Some of the notable language events include:
- 1958 - The ALGOL 58 conference was held in Zurich, and the resulting ALGOL 58 report was produced. This was subsequently reviewed and updated.
- 1960 - The ALGOL 60 conference was held in Paris, and the resulting ALGOL 60 report was produced. This was also subsequently reviewed and updated.
- 1968 - The ALGOL 68 report was produced.
- 1969 - The ALGOL 68 report was approved.
Lesson Summary
To recap, ALGOL is a computer language designed specifically for calculation. It isn't seen much today, but it provided us with many present-day programming language features including BNF notation, statement blocks, parameter passing, dynamic arrays, and reserved words. Its set of basic types includes real, int, compl, bool, char, bits, and bytes. More complex types can be made from these using ref, struct, union, and proc. Notable language versions include ALGOL 58, ALGOL 60, and ALGOL 68.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Register to view this lesson
Unlock Your Education
See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com
Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Log In
BackALGOL: Types & History
Related Study Materials
- TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293): Practice & Study Guide
- Next Gen NCLEX-PN Study Guide & Practice
- Next Gen NCLEX-RN Study Guide & Practice
- TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391): Practice & Study Guide
- TExES School Counselor (252): Practice & Study Guide
- Multithreading, Networking & Machine Learning in Python
- Digital Forensics
- The Internet of Things and Networking
- Network Routing and Switching
- Virtual Servers and Networking
- How to Pick Your Homeschool Curriculum
- Role of Student Support in Open & Distance Learning
- TExES Principal Exam Redesign (068 vs. 268)
- Teacher Salary by State
- ESL Resource Guide for Teachers
- What is a Homeschool Co-op?
- How to Start Homeschooling Your Children
Latest Courses
- Heritability Coefficient
- Major Health Problems in the United States
- Personality Disorders: Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Schizoid & Antisocial
- Memory Hole in 1984
- Twelfth Night Act 1 Scene 4: Summary & Analysis
- Commercial Speech: Definition & Examples
- Legal Moralism: Definition & Examples
- Quiz & Worksheet - Comparing Social Darwinism & Darwinism
- Saint Peter: Quiz & Worksheet for Kids
- Quiz & Worksheet - Fahrenheit 451
- Finding a Character's Emotions by Actions: Quiz & Worksheet for Kids
- Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics
- Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate
- Classroom Management Strategies | Classroom Rules & Procedures
- Music Lesson Plans
Latest Lessons
- AP World History: Tutoring Solution
- College English Composition: Help and Review
- NYSTCE Music (075): Practice and Study Guide
- American Government Textbook
- Earth Science for Teachers: Professional Development
- Matrices & Determinants in Algebra II Lesson Plans
- Electronic Structure for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Quiz & Worksheet - Difference Between Congress & Parliament
- Quiz & Worksheet - How to Analyze Settings in Literature
- Quiz & Worksheet - Energy Conservation vs. Energy Efficiency
- Quiz & Worksheet - Rules Governing the Media
- Quiz & Worksheet - Characteristics of Love Relationships
Popular Courses
- Impact of Word Choice on Meaning and Tone
- The Continental Congress: Definition & Purpose
- Holocaust Lesson Plan
- 2nd Grade Science Projects
- Is the SAT Test Online?
- ELL Services in Illinois
- Life Science Projects
- Haiku Lesson Plan
- Environmental Science Projects
- Still Life Drawing Lesson Plan
- 8th Grade Persuasive Writing Prompts
- Science Picture Books
Popular Lessons
Math
Social Sciences
Science
Business
Humanities
Education
History
Art and Design
Tech and Engineering
- Tech and Engineering - Videos
- Tech and Engineering - Quizzes
- Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers