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What is the goal of programming language research?

• Reki 3y ago
  To make better languages
  • fluffyspork 3y ago
    Are programming languages really a limiting factor for anyone?
    • bertday 3y ago
      Sure, writing bug-free code is not possible for most programmers. The language can reduce the occurrence of bugs.
      • fluffyspork 3y ago
        I agree with the first sentence. I don't think in 2023 a new programming language will help humans in a significant way.
        • bertday 3y ago
          It doesn’t have to be a totally new language. Javascript is an example where there are multiple front-end languages. You can go as far as formally prove the implementation is correct, too. Language theory is an abstraction for mathematical logic and proofs, so it touches anything logical at all.
    • gnulinux 3y ago
      Of course, for example, if you're in need of an automated theorem prover, your only options are Coq, Agda, Isabelle/HOL etc for now all of which come with very serious trade-offs which leads to the development of newer languages such as Lean etc.
    • JonChesterfield 3y ago
      They're the limiting factor for everyone. At least, every programmer. It's the medium you think in.
      • fluffyspork 3y ago
        I don't think in a language. I think about what I want to do and then write code to do it.
        • bertday 3y ago
          The language is supposed to tell you if your thinking is broken. If a program is a logical statement, and your logic is impossible, the program should not compile. Reading dead memory or having race conditions should not be possible, yet look at security vulnerabilities today.
    • 7373737373 3y ago
      It can be very insightful to understand the limitations of the language(s) one uses and the guarantees they can give