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Computer Science - Brian Kernighan on successful language design

University of Nottingham · lecture · Watch on YouTube

Programming language designTech pioneers & interviews

What it is

Brian Kernighan gives a talk at the University of Nottingham on how to succeed in language design without really trying. He draws on his experience with awk and other languages.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN cites it as a practical talk on language design and for background on awk from one of its authors.

  • 3 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2015, last 2022

What HN commenters said

  1. “This is an excellent talk on designing successful programming language by Brian Kernighan”

    Excellent talk on designing successful programming languages, with historical context.

    teleforce, 2022-12 · Strong recommendation · in “Most(LY Dead) Influential Programming Languages (2020)”

  2. “There's a great talk by bwk”

    Kernighan on how useful language features get abused.

    chrisfinazzo, 2018-05 · Recommendation · in “Shell Style Guide”

  3. “gives good practical advice if you're building a language and talks about his journey with awk”

    Practical advice for building a language, plus his journey with awk.

    ad404b8a372f2b9, 2022-12 · Recommendation · in “Most(LY Dead) Influential Programming Languages (2020)”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: brian kernighan, awk, language design, domain specific languages, unix

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