[racket] What does it mean by "algorithmic language"?

On Thu, Jan 09, 2014 at 02:55:12PM +0800, Ben Duan wrote:
> Dear all,
> 
> The scheme standard is called "Revised Report on the Algorithmic Language
> Scheme", and ALGOL is short for "ALGOrithmic Language". Then what does it
> mean by "algorithmic language"?

ALGOL, way back in the late 50's, was designed for "expressing 
algorithms".  Its first name, while it was still being invented, was, 
if I recall correctly, IAL, standing for the International Algebraic 
Language.  But before its defining report was published, they realised 
that it was really for algorithms, not for algebra.

So it seemed reasonable to call it Algol.  I don't know why they 
dropped the "Internatinal".  Presumably they thought it was 
unnecessary.

There have been many algorithmic languages since, with many names, but 
ALGOL 60 and ALGOL 68 are the ones developed by the original designers 
and/or their successors.

By the way, Algol is also the name of a variable star.  Its name comes 
from the Arabic, and means something like the Blinking Demon.

-- hendrik