[TUHS] v7 K&R C

[Dave Horsfall]

On Tue, 19 May 2020, Rich Morin wrote:

> On a vaguely-related note, for some years I've been using the phrase 
> "algebraic syntax" to characterize languages such as Algol, C/C++, 
> Fortran, Java(Script), Ruby, etc.  Contrary examples might include 
> Assembler, COBOL, Forth, Lisp, RPG, etc.

My benchmark is "Can it be described in BNF?"  LISP, for example, would be 
something like:

     phrase: "(" phrase ")"

> However, I can't find this usage in Wikipedia or elsewhere in the
> Intertubes.  Am I simply confused?  Is there a better term to use?
> Inquiring gnomes need to mine...

You are confused because you are relying upon Wikipedia :-)  Well, someone
had to say it, so it may as well be me; as I keep saying, it's only as
accurate as the last idiot who updated it.

-- Dave, a Wikipedia editor