Facile programming

Abstract EN

High-level languages and very high-level languages have been developed to simplify programming.

But, programming is still hard for many people especially those from disciplines that are not computer-related.

Facile programming implies the modification of programming languages to be easily learnt, remembered, and used by programmers from different disciplines.

This is achieved by studying and trying to tackle the practical difficulties that face such programmers.

The paper addresses the difficulty of learning, remembering, using, and understanding compilation error messages of common English-like programming languages by programmers who are not fluent in English.

To tackle this problem, we developed Arabic versions of LISP and SQL in an attempt to figure out whether developing versions, of common programming languages, that are like natural languages of programmers would improve their programming capability.

Syntax errors in the Arabic versions can be detected and the corresponding error messages are produced in Arabic.

To encourage the use of these Arabic versions, we also developed translators that can translate programs between the corresponding Arabic and English versions of these programming languages for portability.

This paper explains the Arabic version of SQL, but reports results from our experience with the Arabic versions of both LISP and SQL.