Language names, goals, and other lofty ideals

[Hasan Aljudy]

kris wrote:
> Leading on from the Mascot and D/Java topics, I went hunting for this 
> quote from Don Knuth:
> 
> "The most important thing in the programming language is the name. A 
> language will not succeed without a good name. I have recently invented 
> a very good name and now I am looking for a suitable language." -- D. E. 
> Knuth
> 
> Wonder if he had the name "Dude" in mind? <g>
> 


> 
> Along the way, I stumbled upon one of PG's essays that looked 
> interesting enough to pass along. It has some thoughts on what makes a 
> language popular: http://www.paulgraham.com/popular.html
> 
Oh my GOD! That article should be called "how to create a lousy language"!
He starts with the premise that the language should suit hackers, and 
goes on to say how the language should be used for writing kludge!! (see 
"section" 5: Throwaway Programs).