Difference between revisions of "B programming language"
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The '''B''' [[programming language]] was an intermediary between [[BCPL]] and [[C programming language|C]]; very roughly, it is typeless, like BCPL, but has C's syntax. | The '''B''' [[programming language]] was an intermediary between [[BCPL]] and [[C programming language|C]]; very roughly, it is typeless, like BCPL, but has C's syntax. | ||
| − | In 1969, Doug McIlroy created an implementation of [[TMG]] for the early [[UNIX]] system (on the [[PDP-7]]); this inspired Ken Thompson to produce a [[compiler]] for the machine, which started out to be [[FORTRAN]], but rapidly became the first version of B. The B compiler was re-written from TMG into B itself; apparently all versions produced [[threaded code]], not [[object code]]. | + | In 1969, Doug McIlroy created an implementation of [[TMG]] for the early [[UNIX]] system (on the [[PDP-7]]); this inspired Ken Thompson to produce a [[compiler]] for the machine, which started out to be [[FORTRAN]], but rapidly became the first version of B. The B compiler was then re-written from TMG into B itself; apparently all versions produced [[threaded code]], not [[object code]]. |
| − | Dennis Ritchie then produced a [[cross-compiler]], | + | Dennis Ritchie then produced a [[cross-compiler]], also in B, which produced object code for a [[GE 635]]. (It was later moved to the [[Honeywell 6000 series|Honeywell 6070]], after Honeywell bought out GE's computer division.) This became quite popular (the use of threaded code in the PDP-7 version limited its efficiency, and thus use, there), especially at the University of Waterloo in Canada (where it was taken by Steve Johnson, who went there in 1972 for a sabbatical). |
The later move of B (the threaded code version) to the [[byte]]-[[address]]ed [[PDP-11]] showed the limitation of the [[word]]-addressing model of BCPL and B, and resulted in the creation of C. | The later move of B (the threaded code version) to the [[byte]]-[[address]]ed [[PDP-11]] showed the limitation of the [[word]]-addressing model of BCPL and B, and resulted in the creation of C. | ||
| − | One interesting historical note: the B tutorial contains the first known instance of a [[Hello, world]] [[program]]. | + | One interesting historical note: the B tutorial (below) contains the first known instance of a [[Hello, world]] [[program]]. |
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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** [http://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/kbman.html User's Reference to B] | ** [http://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/kbman.html User's Reference to B] | ||
** [http://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/bref.html User's Reference to B on MH-TSS] | ** [http://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/bref.html User's Reference to B on MH-TSS] | ||
| + | * [https://github.com/aap/b/tree/master/unix1_bdir B compiler] - a project to re-create it | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
| − | Dennis M. Ritchie, [http://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/chist.html ''The Development of the C Language''], Second History of Programming Languages conference, Cambridge, Mass., April, 1993; re-printed in ''History of Programming Languages-II eds. Thomas J. Bergin, Jr. and Richard G. Gibson, Jr. ACM Press (New York) and Addison-Wesley (Reading, Mass), 1996 | + | Dennis M. Ritchie, [http://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/chist.html ''The Development of the C Language''], Second History of Programming Languages conference, Cambridge, Mass., April, 1993; re-printed in ''History of Programming Languages-II'' eds. Thomas J. Bergin, Jr. and Richard G. Gibson, Jr. ACM Press (New York) and Addison-Wesley (Reading, Mass), 1996 |
{{semi-stub}} | {{semi-stub}} | ||
[[Category: Languages]] | [[Category: Languages]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:43, 7 December 2023
The B programming language was an intermediary between BCPL and C; very roughly, it is typeless, like BCPL, but has C's syntax.
In 1969, Doug McIlroy created an implementation of TMG for the early UNIX system (on the PDP-7); this inspired Ken Thompson to produce a compiler for the machine, which started out to be FORTRAN, but rapidly became the first version of B. The B compiler was then re-written from TMG into B itself; apparently all versions produced threaded code, not object code.
Dennis Ritchie then produced a cross-compiler, also in B, which produced object code for a GE 635. (It was later moved to the Honeywell 6070, after Honeywell bought out GE's computer division.) This became quite popular (the use of threaded code in the PDP-7 version limited its efficiency, and thus use, there), especially at the University of Waterloo in Canada (where it was taken by Steve Johnson, who went there in 1972 for a sabbatical).
The later move of B (the threaded code version) to the byte-addressed PDP-11 showed the limitation of the word-addressing model of BCPL and B, and resulted in the creation of C.
One interesting historical note: the B tutorial (below) contains the first known instance of a Hello, world program.
External links
- The Programming Language B
- B compiler - a project to re-create it
Further reading
Dennis M. Ritchie, The Development of the C Language, Second History of Programming Languages conference, Cambridge, Mass., April, 1993; re-printed in History of Programming Languages-II eds. Thomas J. Bergin, Jr. and Richard G. Gibson, Jr. ACM Press (New York) and Addison-Wesley (Reading, Mass), 1996
