# hoc

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q5875280](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5875280)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoc_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hoc

## Summary
Hoc (High Order Calculator) is a programming language designed for communicating instructions to a machine. It was developed by Rob Pike and Brian Kernighan. The language is documented and maintained within the Bell Labs computing environment.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** High Order Calculator
- **Classification:** Programming language
- **Developers:** Rob Pike and Brian Kernighan
- **Developer Background:** Rob Pike is a computer scientist and writer born in 1956; he holds Canadian citizenship.
- **Documentation:** The user manual is hosted by Bell Labs at `http://plan9.bell-labs.com/magic/man2html/1/hoc`.
- **Source Code:** The repository is available at `http://netlib.bell-labs.com/~bwk/hoc.sh`.
- **Wikipedia Entry:** Titled "Hoc (programming language)"

## FAQs
### Q: What does the name "hoc" stand for?
A: "Hoc" is an acronym for High Order Calculator.

### Q: Who created the Hoc programming language?
A: Hoc was created by Rob Pike and Brian Kernighan.

### Q: Where can the source code for Hoc be found?
A: The source code repository is located at `http://netlib.bell-labs.com/~bwk/hoc.sh`.

## Why It Matters
Hoc holds a distinct place in the history of software tools developed at Bell Labs, an environment renowned for pioneering foundational computing technologies. Its significance is largely attributed to its creators, Rob Pike and Brian Kernighan, who are seminal figures in computer science. Kernighan is widely known for his contributions to the development of Unix and the C programming language, while Pike is recognized for his work on Plan 9 and the Go programming language.

As a "High Order Calculator," Hoc serves as a specialized tool that bridges the gap between simple calculation and full-scale programming. It provides a mechanism for users to perform complex mathematical operations while utilizing the syntax and logic of a programming language. This utility makes it a relevant subject of study for those interested in the evolution of interpreted languages and the history of mathematical computing tools within the Unix ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **Creators:** Developed by prominent computer scientists Rob Pike and Brian Kernighan.
- **Acronym:** Stands for "High Order Calculator," indicating its mathematical focus.
- **Bell Labs Heritage:** Associated with Bell Labs, a major center for computing innovation.
- **Plan 9 Association:** Documentation is linked to the Plan 9 operating system environment.

## Body
### Development and Authorship
Hoc is a programming language classed as a tool for communicating instructions to a machine. The language was collaboratively developed by Rob Pike and Brian Kernighan.

Rob Pike, one of the co-developers, is a computer scientist and writer born in 1956. He holds Canadian citizenship. His professional background includes significant contributions as a software engineer.

### Technical Resources
The language is supported by official documentation and code repositories hosted by Bell Labs.

*   **User Manual:** The official manual page is accessible via the Bell Labs Plan 9 archive at `http://plan9.bell-labs.com/magic/man2html/1/hoc`.
*   **Source Code:** The implementation of the language is available for access at `http://netlib.bell-labs.com/~bwk/hoc.sh`.

### Classification
In knowledge base structures, Hoc is categorized as an "instance of" a programming language. It is described simply as a "language for communicating instructions to a machine." It has a relatively low "sitelink count" of 1, indicating a concentrated presence on Wikipedia (specifically the English entry "Hoc (programming language)").