Description #
ALGOL (short for Algorithmic Language) is one of the most influential high-level programming languages in computer science history. Known for introducing structured programming concepts, it laid the foundation for many modern languages like C, Pascal, and Java.
History #
ALGOL was developed in the late 1950s by a committee of European and American computer scientists as a universal language for describing algorithms. Its most famous versions — ALGOL 58, ALGOL 60, and ALGOL 68 — were used widely in academia and formed the basis for early compiler design and programming theory. ALGOL 60, in particular, introduced block structure, lexical scoping, and the Backus-Naur Form (BNF) notation.
Hello World Code #
begin
print("Hello, World!")
endNote: Actual syntax and implementation details vary across ALGOL dialects (especially between ALGOL 60 and 68).
How to Run #
Option 1: Online
https://tio.run/##S0xLTNEpTEnMTVWyUjI0U9JRKEksSQQA (ALGOL 68 on TIO.run)
Option 2: Local
- Use an ALGOL 68 interpreter like
algol68g:
https://jmvdveer.home.xs4all.nl/algol.html - Compile and run: bashCopyEdit
algol68g hello.alg
Key Concepts #
- Syntax style: Minimalistic, math-like, structured
- Typing discipline: Strong static typing
- Execution model: Compiled (some variants interpreted in modern use)
- Common use cases: Teaching algorithms, historical systems research
- Toolchain or ecosystem: ALGOL 68G, various academic compilers
- Paradigms supported: Imperative, structured
- Compilation details: Early compilers generated native machine code
- Strengths or quirks: BNF syntax, nested functions, block scoping
- Libraries/frameworks: Minimal (pre-library era)
- Community/adoption: Mostly historical and academic today
Try It Online #
Fun Facts #
ALGOL’s influence is everywhere: C, Java, Pascal, and even JavaScript owe their structure to it. It also introduced the concept of code blocks (begin/end) and structured programming — a huge leap from GOTO-based logic.
