# Barry J. Mailloux

> Canadian computer scientist (1940-1982)

**Wikidata**: [Q4864339](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4864339)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_J._Mailloux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/barry-j-mailloux

## Summary
Barry J. Mailloux was a Canadian computer scientist and engineer. He is primarily known for his significant contributions to the development of the ALGOL 68 programming language.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1940, Leamington
- **Nationality:** Canada
- **Education:** (Not provided in source material)
- **Known for:** Contributions to the development of the ALGOL 68 programming language
- **Employer(s):** University of Alberta
- **Field(s):** Computer science, engineering

## Contributions
Barry J. Mailloux was a key contributor to the design and development of the ALGOL 68 programming language. ALGOL 68 was a major international effort in the late 1960s and early 1970s aimed at creating a powerful, structured, and highly expressive successor to earlier ALGOL languages. Mailloux's work involved participating in the international committee responsible for defining the language's complex syntax and semantics. His contributions were instrumental in shaping ALGOL 68's features, including its strong typing, orthogonal design, and powerful data structures. While the language itself did not achieve widespread adoption like some contemporaries, it was highly influential in programming language theory and design, impacting subsequent languages and concepts. Mailloux's role was part of a significant collaborative effort within the computer science community to advance programming language capabilities.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Barry J. Mailloux's nationality?
A: Barry J. Mailloux was Canadian.

### Q: Where and when was Barry J. Mailloux born?
A: He was born in 1940 in Leamington.

### Q: What programming language was Barry J. Mailloux involved with?
A: He was a key contributor to the development of the ALGOL 68 programming language.

### Q: Where did Barry J. Mailloux work?
A: He was employed by the University of Alberta.

### Q: When did Barry J. Mailloux pass away?
A: He died on May 26, 1982.

## Why They Matter
Barry J. Mailloux's work on ALGOL 68 represents a significant contribution to the field of programming language design during a formative period. ALGOL 68, despite its complexity and limited practical adoption, pushed the boundaries of what was possible in language design, introducing concepts like strong typing, orthogonal data types, and powerful iteration constructs that influenced later languages and theoretical research. Mailloux's participation in this ambitious international project highlights the collaborative nature of early computer science advancements. His contributions helped solidify the principles of structured programming and formal language specification, leaving a lasting impact on the theoretical foundations of computer science, even if the language itself did not become mainstream.

## Notable For
- Key contributor to the international development of the ALGOL 68 programming language.
- Employed as a computer scientist and engineer at the University of Alberta.
- Canadian computer scientist active during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Archival materials held at the Charles Babbage Institute.

## Body
### Life and Career
Barry J. Mailloux was born in 1940 in Leamington, Canada. He was a male citizen of Canada. His professional career was primarily as a computer scientist and engineer. He was employed by the University of Alberta. Mailloux passed away on May 26, 1982.

### Professional Contributions
Mailloux's most significant documented contribution is his involvement in the development of the ALGOL 68 programming language. He was part of the international committee responsible for designing and specifying ALGOL 68. This project aimed to create a highly advanced and theoretically sound programming language, building upon the legacy of earlier ALGOL languages (like ALGOL 60). His work focused on the complex syntax, semantics, and features that defined ALGOL 68, including its strong type system, orthogonal design principles, and powerful data manipulation capabilities. While ALGOL 68 did not achieve widespread commercial success, it was highly influential in academic circles and programming language theory.

### Legacy and Recognition
Mailloux's work is preserved through archival materials held at the Charles Babbage Institute. He is recognized through various identifiers including ISNI (0000000398288307), VIAF (235904581), and WorldCat Entities (E39PBJtcGYx3FtWJRrYcgcwKVC). His contributions to ALGOL 68 are noted in sources like his Wikipedia entry and related Wikidata entries.

## References

1. [Source](http://archives.lib.umn.edu/repositories/3/resources/323)