Re: The Final Word On HTML

Sean Howard wrote:
> [snippety-snip]

Suppose I leave a note for my partner that reads:

    "Go get me a fifth of Glenfiddich, right NOW!!!"

Is the note a program?

I say yes. Specifically, it's an object-oriented client/server
function. This program is intended to perform the explicitly specified
actions 'go' and 'get', with an implicit 'return'. The action sequence
has a 'right NOW!!!' priority property. The function is intended to
return the object 'Glenfiddich' with a size property of 'fifth'.

When this program is run, one of three things may happen: 

(1) If the server has been properly programmed with supporting logic
and careful stroking, the object will be returned as requested (return
by value).

(2) If the server has not been properly programmed, it may return the
location of the nearest liquor store ('return by reference'). Or it may
reference an alternate procedure, such as 'takeAhike(ufool)' or
'drink(H2O)'. Or it may set what is known as a 'flag' or 'semaphore' in
the form of an upturned middle finger.

(3) If the program is completely incompatible with the server platform,
the server may 'blow up' or 'crash' with uncertain results.

So, is it now clear whether or not HTML is a programming language?

David Perrell

Received on Wednesday, 25 September 1996 19:25:33 UTC