OT: Language for the ages

[Scott Stevens]

On Fri, 14 Oct 2005 11:21:42 -0700
"Chuck Guzis" <cclist at sydex.com> wrote:

> Here's an interesting problem.
> 
> Suppose you wanted to write an application for a manufacturing process
> that will, in all probability, run for the next 30 years.  No direct
> control of the process itself is entailed (i.e., you don't need the
> program to operation valves or run motors), but you do need this
> program to compute manufacturing parameters for each customer.  I/O
> requirements are very modest, mostly simple keyboard and display.
> 
> What would you write it in?  Clearly, you'd want to be independent of
> a particular software vendor, so the likes of Visual BASIC isn't an
> option. You'd also want to write in a language that isn't nearing
> obsolesence, nor one that's still evolving.  "Niche" languages would
> be out of the question, as longevity could be a problem.
> 
> So what would it be?   My vote is for FORTRAN.
> 
> Cheers,
> Chuck
> 

8086 Assembly Language.  We will NEVER be rid of it.  There are high
quality emulators of the 8086 for many platforms.   It's definitely NOT
a 'niche' language.