toy language
n.
A language useful for instructional purposes or as a proof-of-concept
for some aspect of computer-science theory, but inadequate for
general-purpose programming. {Bad Thing}s can result when a toy
language is promoted as a general purpose solution for programming
(see {bondage-and-discipline language}); the classic example is
{Pascal}. Several moderately well-known formalisms for conceptual
tasks such as programming Turing machines also qualify as toy
languages in a less negative sense. See also {MFTL}.
toy language
<language> A language useful for instructional purposes or as
a proof-of-concept for some aspect of computer-science theory,
but inadequate for general-purpose programming. {Bad Things}
can result when a toy language is promoted as a general
purpose solution for programming (see {bondage-and-discipline
language}); the classic example is {Pascal}. Several
moderately well-known formalisms for conceptual tasks such as
programming {Turing Machines} also qualify as toy languages in
a less negative sense.
See also {MFTL}.
[{Jargon File}]
(1995-05-09)