Selecting a Programming Language Made Easy
             Daniel Solomon & David Rosenblueth
   Department of Computer Science, University of Waterloo
             Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1


With such a large selection of programming languages it can be
difficult to choose one for a particular project. Reading the manuals
to evaluate the languages is a time consuming process. On the other
hand, most people already have a fairly good idea of how various
automobiles compare. So in order to assist those trying to choose a
language, we have prepared a chart that matches programming languages
with comparable automobiles.

Assembler

    A Formula I race car. Very fast, but difficult to drive and 
	expensive to maintain.

FORTRAN II

    A Model T Ford. Once it was king of the road.

FORTRAN IV

    A Model A Ford.

FORTRAN 77

    A six-cylinder Ford Fairlane with standard transmission and 
	no seat belts.

COBOL

    A delivery van. It's bulky and ugly, but it does the work.

BASIC

    A second-hand Rambler with a rebuilt engine and patched upholstry. 
	Your dad bought it for you to learn to drive. You'll ditch the 
	car as soon as you can afford a new one.

PL/I

    A Cadillac convertible with automatic transmission, a two-tone 
	paint job, white-wall tires, chrome exhaust pipes, and fuzzy dice 
	hanging in the windshield

C

    A black Firebird, the all-macho car. Comes with optional seat belts 
	(lint) and optional fuzz buster (escape to assembler).

ALGOL 60

    An Austin Mini. Boy, that's a small car.

Pascal

    A Volkswagon Beetle. It's small but sturdy.Was once popular with 
	intellectuals.

Modula II

    A Volkswagon Rabbit with a trailer hitch.

ALGOL 68

    An Astin Martin. An impressive car, but not just anyone can drive it.

LISP

    An electric car. It's simple but slow. Seat belts are not available.

PROLOG/LUCID

    Prototype concept-cars.

Maple/MACSYMA

    All-terrain vehicles.

FORTH

    A go-cart.

LOGO

    A kiddie's replica of a Rolls Royce. Comes with a real engine and 
	a working horn.

APL

    A double-decker bus. Its takes rows and columns of passengers to the 
	same place all at the same time. But, it drives only in reverse gear, 
	and is instrumented in Greek.

Ada

    An army-green Mercedes-Benz staff car. Power steering, power brakes 
	and automatic transmission are all standard. No other colors or 
	options are available. If it's good enough for the generals, it's 
	good enough for you. Manufacturing delays due to difficulties reading 
	the design specification are starting to clear up.