Only a few years after the invention of the first programming languages, the subject flourished and a whole flurry of languages appeared. Soon programmers had to make their choices among available languages. How were they selected; were there any criteria of selection, of language quality? What is truly essential in a programming language? In spite of the convergence to a few, wide-spread, popular languages in recent years, these questions remain relevant, and the search for a "better" language continues among programmers.

Subscription required for full text.