On Thursday, 7 January 1999,
     DAVID NOON wrote to MURRAY LESSER about APL2 for OS/2

 DN> Since APL is not really suited to MS munchkins, I suspect the
 DN> users are all old mainframers who prefer OS/2.

ML>>    I never cared for APL, although many of my ex-colleagues found it
 DN> ML>very useful.

 DN> Matrix manipulation to die for! Anybody who is heavily into numerical
 DN> linear
 DN> algebra (who? moi?) absolutely _must_ give APL a try.

  OK guys, PL/I, APL? You got me interested! During this short period of
  participating in this echo, I can see that you're very knowledgeable
  people, and I'm sure you have some great reasons for using these
  languages.

  So, could you share them with the rest of us, please? :)

  I've never seen those languages, and they have most probably been
  created before I was born (1977). What ARE those languages exactly?

  Are they compilers, interpretes? What are their features/highlights?
  Are they OO languages? Do they have static/dynamic/strong/weak typing?
  How about dynamical storage? Do they have pointers like C, or do they
  work on a higher abstract level like REXX? Could you provide some
  examples of the most common data structures used when programming in
  those languages? Is the parameter passing to procedures any different
  from languages like Pascal or C?

  And while you're at it, how do they fare compared to more popular
  languages? Are they like C,C++, Pascal maybe? Or are they like REXX,
  OREXX, or maybe even Java?

  Also, what are the differences between PL/I and APL?

  Any more info would be highly appreciated! I'm really interested, and
  am always ready to learn something new...

  Is there some INF file titled "PL/I Programming Guide and Reference"
  (or something to that effect) in your copy of "PL/I Personal Edition"?
  If so, could you zip it up and attach it via email?

  Same question for APL...

  I also saw your complaints about the pricing of new versions of these
  languages... is there some cheaper/older version? What about that
  "Personal Edition" of yours, how much does that cost? And where can it
  be found?

                                                            - Ivan -

.!. First Shalt thou pull out the Holy Pin!
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