Created: 2023-04-04 22:45
In his paper On the foolishness of “natural language programming”, Edsger Dijkstra criticizes the idea of using natural languages for programming computers. Dijkstra argues that natural languages are inherently ambiguous and imprecise, making them unsuitable for the exactness required in computer programming. He emphasizes the importance of formal languages specifically designed for programming, as they enable clear and unambiguous communication between humans and machines. Dijkstra’s critique underscores the need for precision and clarity in the languages used to express algorithms and instructions for computer systems.