# ALGOL 58

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q1094499](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1094499)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALGOL_58)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/algol-58

## Summary
ALGOL 58, also known as ALGOrithmic Language 1958, is a programming language. Developed in 1958 by a collaborative group of computer scientists, it introduced key concepts and paradigms that influenced the design of subsequent programming languages. It served as a direct precursor to ALGOL 60.

## Key Facts
*   ALGOL 58 is classified as a programming language.
*   It is also known by the aliases ALGOrithmic Language 1958, Algol 58, and Ial.
*   Key developers include Friedrich L. Bauer, Heinz Rutishauser, Klaus Samelson, John Backus, Charles Katz, and Alan Perlis.
*   The language was influenced by earlier programming languages such as Fortran and Plankalkül.
*   It was followed by ALGOL 60.
*   Its publication date is 1958, and it was named after this year.
*   ALGOL 58 features static typing and strong typing disciplines.
*   It supports procedural programming, imperative programming, and structured programming paradigms.

## FAQs
### Q: What is ALGOL 58?
A: ALGOL 58, or ALGOrithmic Language 1958, is a programming language. It was developed in 1958 and is recognized for its foundational role in the evolution of programming language design.

### Q: Who developed ALGOL 58?
A: ALGOL 58 was developed by a team of computer scientists, including Friedrich L. Bauer, Heinz Rutishauser, Klaus Samelson, John Backus, Charles Katz, and Alan Perlis.

### Q: What programming paradigms does ALGOL 58 support?
A: ALGOL 58 supports multiple programming paradigms, specifically procedural programming, imperative programming, and structured programming.

### Q: What programming languages influenced ALGOL 58?
A: ALGOL 58 was influenced by earlier programming languages such as Fortran and Plankalkül in its design and concepts.

### Q: What language succeeded ALGOL 58?
A: ALGOL 58 was directly succeeded by ALGOL 60, which built upon its principles and became a highly influential language itself.

## Why It Matters
ALGOL 58 holds significant importance as an early and influential programming language that laid foundational concepts for future language design. Developed by a collaborative group of leading computer scientists, it introduced or formalized key programming paradigms such as procedural, imperative, and structured programming, alongside static and strong typing disciplines. Its design was informed by predecessors like Fortran and Plankalkül, and it directly led to the development of ALGOL 60, which became a highly influential language in its own right. Thus, ALGOL 58 represents a crucial step in the evolution of high-level programming, contributing to the standardization and theoretical understanding of programming language structures that are still relevant today. Its impact is evident in the lineage of programming languages that followed.

## Notable For
*   Being an early programming language that explicitly supported structured, imperative, and procedural programming paradigms.
*   Its development by a distinguished international group of computer scientists, including pioneers like John Backus and Alan Perlis.
*   Introducing or formalizing static and strong typing disciplines in language design.
*   Serving as the direct precursor to the highly influential ALGOL 60, shaping the future of programming language development.

## Body

### Classification and Overview
ALGOL 58 is a programming language, also known by its aliases ALGOrithmic Language 1958, Algol 58, and Ial. It is considered a dialect of ALGOL.

### Development and Contributors
ALGOL 58 was developed by a group of prominent computer scientists. Key individuals involved in its development include:
*   Friedrich L. Bauer (German computer scientist)
*   Heinz Rutishauser (mathematician and computer scientist from Switzerland)
*   Klaus Samelson (German computer scientist)
*   John Backus (American computer scientist)
*   Charles Katz (American computer programmer)
*   Alan Perlis (American computer scientist)

### Technical Characteristics
The language incorporates specific technical characteristics:
*   **Typing Discipline**: It features static typing and strong typing.
*   **Programming Paradigms**: It supports procedural programming, imperative programming, and structured programming.

### Historical Context
*   **Publication Date**: ALGOL 58 was published in 1958.
*   **Naming**: It was named after the year 1958.
*   **Influences**: Its design was influenced by earlier programming languages such as Fortran and Plankalkül.
*   **Successor**: ALGOL 58 was directly followed by ALGOL 60, which further developed its concepts.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013