# DataFlex

> software

**Wikidata**: [Q2391203](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2391203)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DataFlex)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dataflex

## Summary
DataFlex is a programming language and software platform created in 1982 for communicating instructions to a machine. It is classified as an object-oriented, structured, and imperative language, designed to enable developers to write code that controls computer behavior and processes data.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** DataFlex was established in 1982.
- **Classification:** It is an instance of both **software** and a **programming language**.
- **Programming Paradigms:** The language supports **object-oriented programming**, **structured programming**, and **imperative programming**.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** The entity has a Wikipedia title "DataFlex" and is available in 9 languages: English (en), Farsi (fa), Malayalam (ml), Malay (ms), Portuguese (pt), Russian (ru), Tajik (tg), Uzbek (uz), and Cantonese (zh_yue).
- **Sitelink Count:** It has a sitelink count of 9.
- **File Format:** It utilizes a readable file format identified as "DataFlex Query Tag Name".
- **Identifiers:**
    - Freebase ID: `/m/037k4q`
    - GitLab Topic ID: `dataflex`
    - Quora Topic: `Dataflex`
- **Community:** It has a dedicated tag on Stack Overflow (`https://stackoverflow.com/tags/dataflex`).
- **Logo:** The language uses a compact logo file (`DF_Logo_Compact_RGB.png`).

## FAQs
### Q: What programming paradigms does DataFlex support?
A: DataFlex supports multiple paradigms, including object-oriented programming, structured programming, and imperative programming. This allows developers to use different styles of structuring code, from step-by-step commands to organizing code into objects.

### Q: When was DataFlex created?
A: DataFlex was created in 1982.

### Q: Is DataFlex considered a scripting language or a programming language?
A: DataFlex is explicitly classified as a programming language and software. While specific execution models are not detailed in the source, programming languages generally serve as formal languages for communicating instructions to machines, distinct from simple data formats.

### Q: Where can I find community support for DataFlex?
A: Community support and discussions can be found on Stack Overflow under the "dataflex" tag. It is also a recognized topic on Quora and has a dedicated topic ID on GitLab.

## Why It Matters
DataFlex serves as a specific tool within the broader foundation of modern computing, functioning as a formal language used to communicate instructions to a machine. As an implementation of the "programming language" concept, it empowers humans to instruct machines with precision, enabling the creation of software that controls computer behavior and processes data.

Its significance lies in its specific application of programming language theory—supporting paradigms like object-oriented and imperative programming—to solve computational problems. By providing a structured way to define algorithms and manipulate data, DataFlex contributes to the diverse ecosystem of software development tools necessary for digital communication and automation.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** Being a programming language with an inception date of 1982, indicating decades of presence in the software field.
- **Paradigm Versatility:** Supporting a triad of major programming paradigms: object-oriented, structured, and imperative.
- **Specialized Format:** Utilizing a specific readable file format known as "DataFlex Query Tag Name."
- **Global Documentation:** Maintaining Wikipedia entries in nine different languages, including English, Russian, and Portuguese.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
DataFlex is a high-level entity classified as both **software** and a **programming language**. It functions as a formal language used to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly computers. As a programming language, it enables developers to write code that controls computer behavior, processes data, and executes tasks.

In the context of computer science, DataFlex acts as an intermediary between human intent and machine execution. It falls under the broader domain of computer languages and adheres to the fundamental components of programming languages, such as syntax and execution models, though its specific implementation details are proprietary to its classification as "software."

### Technical Paradigms
DataFlex is distinguished by its support for multiple programming paradigms. These paradigms define the style and structure in which code is written:
- **Imperative Programming:** DataFlex implements step-by-step commands, allowing developers to specify the exact steps the computer must take to achieve a result.
- **Structured Programming:** It supports structured programming, which utilizes logical structures such as repetition (loops), conditionals (if-then-else), and sub-routines to improve clarity and reduce development time.
- **Object-Oriented Programming (OOP):** The language supports OOP, a paradigm based on the concept of "objects," which can contain data and code.

This multi-paradigm approach places DataFlex alongside other languages that prioritize both data manipulation and logical control flows.

### Metadata and Identifiers
DataFlex is indexed and identified across several major knowledge bases and developer platforms:
- **Wikidata & Wikipedia:** It is tracked with a sitelink count of 9 and has a dedicated Wikipedia title "DataFlex."
- **Freebase:** It is recorded under the ID `/m/037k4q`.
- **Quora:** The topic "Dataflex" is established for community Q&A.
- **GitLab:** It is tagged with the topic ID `dataflex`.
- **Stack Exchange:** Developers engage with the language via the tag `https://stackoverflow.com/tags/dataflex`.

### Branding and Resources
The language utilizes a specific visual identifier, the **DF_Logo_Compact_RGB.png**, which serves as its logo.

In terms of technical resources and file handling, DataFlex is associated with a specific **readable file format** labeled "DataFlex Query Tag Name." This suggests specific capabilities in data querying or tag-based file structures within its software environment.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora