Re: Low-level vs. High-level programming (was My First Computer)

["Randy McLaughlin" <randy@nospam.com>]

"Really" <barryem@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a647f3d0438ac47490692806aaafec29@TeraNews...
> "Randy McLaughlin" <randy@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:g8lIa.14012$Gt4.236@fe08.atl2.webusenet.com...
> >
> > This is the third time I am posting two definitions of
> programming:
> >
> > "6. A set of coded instructions that enables a machine,
> especially a
> > computer, to perform a desired sequence of operations. 7. An
> instruction
> > sequence in programmed instruction."
> >
> > It does not matter what anyone individually believes is
> programming these
> > are two definitions directly from a dictionary:
> >
> > http://www.bartleby.com/61/54/P0585400.html
> >
> > HTML is an instruction sequence in programmed instruction.
> >
> > HTML is a limited computer language one of the millions of
> features it does
> > not have is inline assembly language, just out of curiosity how
> do you do
> > inline assembly language in ADA or Cobol?
>
> Of course it matters.  If nobody believes it then the dictionary is
> wrong.  Dictionaries have been wrong before.  In a definition of
> something as loosely used in so many different ways as
> "programming' it would be a miracle if they're right.  Dictionaries
> report usage as they see it.  They don't establish usage.
>
> My roommate when I was in college wrote a letter to Webster
> explaining that they're referring to "junta" as a synonym for
> "camarillo" was incorrect according to their own definitions.  They
> replied saying they disagreed and wished him a successful career as
> a lexographer when he grew up.
>
> This made him angry so he wrote a very careful and detailed
> explanation of his reasoning.  They replied that they decided he
> was right and that it would be changed in the next edition.  Last
> time I was over there he still had those framed letters on his
> wall.  He was right.  The dictionary was wrong and they admitted
> it.
>
> Barry

I like intelligent responses yours is, would you agree that while some
definitions may be wrong most are right?  There is a prejudice against
calling something computer programming if it is mundane.  That does not mean
it is not computer programming, just mundane.  No one could be called a
computer programmer just because he can create a web page in HTML, the task
is too mundane.