ALGOL

 

·         Readability-

 

Algol only consisted of 15 pages of basic constructs/ rules, whereas the other programming languages had 100 of pages of complex constructs /rules. Since Algol had a smaller number of constructs it was easy for the programmers to read and understand the code which increased the readability of the code. Compared to Fortran, Algol decreased the use of GOTO’s which made a huge change in the readability of the code. As a result, when reading a code snippet written in Algol it is easy to understand the output of the program. Algol is the most orthogonal programming language, there are no restrictions on the types. This high level of orthogonality resulted in unnecessary complexity, which impacted the readability of the program. Also, Algol had integer, Real and Boolean data types which increased the readability of Algol as a programming language. Furthermore, Algol used “IF” and “FI” statements in the start and end of the control structure which increased the readability of Algol as a programming language.

 

·         Writability-

 

The factors affecting readability also affects writability as a result, the writability of Algol is also acceptable. Algol allows block structure which eliminates the need of repeating codes and also due to reduced use of GOTO statements programs could be written with minimum effort. But due to too much orthogonality it is possible for errors to go undetected.

 

·         Reliability-

 

Algol provides type checking but it doesn’t allow user defined types which is a negative impact on its reliability and also it doesn’t provide any exception handling feature which again affects its reliability. Due to this even though Algol is well known for its readability and writability, its reliability is questionable.