sanjiva@sbcs.sunysb.edu (Sanjiva Prasad) (04/09/90)
Hi,
Some time ago Richard O'Keefe had asked some questions about the
first usages of certain commonly used terms. I think it is
worthwhile to compile a "computer science jargon vocabulary/lexicon",
complete with references to when and where a term was first
used, in what context, and who coined it. If any word maven
knows of such a compilation having been undertaken before,
please send me a reference. I also have some questions...
1) COMPILER: when was this term first used? What were the reasons
for choosing this name, if any?
2) INTERPRETER: same questions as above. Was the choice of this term
solely because of the anthropomorphic imagery of
an agent who interactively translates a conversation
between two participants, or was there some
deeper connection with "interpretation" in the
model theory sense?
3) INSTANTIATE, ~TION: Who first used these terms? Are they
computer science inventions (OED does not
list them -- "instance" suffices as both
verb and noun)? Or did some philosophers/logicians
e.g. Logical Positivists use this term earlier?
Please reply by e-mail to: sanjiva@sbcs.sunysb.edu
Thanks.
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