Modula-2 and Oberon

This is an account of the development of the languages Modula-2 and Oberon. Together with their ancestors ALGOL 60 and Pascal they form a family called Algollike languages. Pascal (1970) reflected the ideas of Structured Programming, Modula-2 (1979) added those of modular system design, and Oberon (1988) catered to the object-oriented style. Thus they mirror the essential programming paradigms of the past decades. Here the major language properties are outlined, followed by an account of the respective implementation efforts. The conditions and the environments are elucidated, in which the languages were created. We point out that simplicity of design was the most essential, guiding principle. Clarity of concepts, economy of features, efficiency and reliability of implementations were its consequences.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2007
• Where: HOPL
• Authors: Niklaus Wirth
• Keywords: Essential Programming Paradigms, HOPL 2007, Languages Modula-2, Programming Languages, Respective Implementation Efforts