This paper discusses both the history and future of programming languages (= higher level languages). Some of the difficulties in writing such a history are indicated. A key part of the paper is a tree showing the chronological development of languages and their interrelationships, Reasons for the proliferation of languages are given. The major languages are listed with the reasons for their importance. A section on chronology indicates the happenings of the significant previous time periods and the major topics of 1972. Key concepts other than specific languages are discussed.

The purpose of this talk is to make a personal plea, backed up by some practical comments, for the use of English or anyone else's natural language as a programming language. This seems to be a suitable subject for the conference, since whatever definition of pragmatics is decided upon, it certainly seems to be tied in with the users of any programming language and what the language means to them.

This paper attempts to describe some of the basic characteristics and issues involving the class of programming languages commonly referred to as "nonprocedural" or "very high level". The paper discusses major issues such as terminology, relativeness, and arbitrary sequencing. Five features of nonprocedural languages are described, and a number of specific languages are discussed briefly. A short history of the subject is included.

is an experimental p r o g r a m m i n g system which can assist scientists in the manipulation of mathematical expressions. It is an extension of F O R T R A N IV, thus providing the capability of performing both numeric and non-numeric c o m putations a n d m a n i p u l a t i o n s i n t h e s a m e p r o g r a m .

The field of formula manipulation is surveyed, with particular attention to the specific capabilities of difFerentiation, integration and the supporting capabilities of simplification, displays and input/output editing, and precision arithmetic. General systems--both batch and online-ore described. Finally, some programs to solve specific applications are discussed.