17 Jun
2026
17 Jun
'26
6:43 a.m.
On Jun 16, 2026, at 10:31 PM, Mike Katz via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
I'm sure there are more "dead" computer languages than there are living
ones.
However, what is the definition of a dead computer language. Here are a few potential
definitions (choose one or more or add your own):
* If the language is not running, as an interpreter or compiler, on
any currently manufactured computer. Running on antique computers
or simulators doesn't count.
* If no one is being paid to program in that language or maintain code
in that language.
* If the standards for the language have not been updated in more than
10 (25, 50) years.
* If the language is no longer being used in a production/commercial
environment.
* If the language is only being used in the
hobbyist/historian/antique/simulation environments.
Here is an example question: There is an in production add on to an antique computer
written and being supported in Forth. The Forth interpreter/compiler is running on a
modern ARM based micro. Even though the target of the product is an antique computer
since it is using a current technology micro with a supported forth, I would say that
Forth is not a dead language.
Here is a list of languages from my past, how many of them are officially dead by one or
more of the above definitions?
APL
Forth
Definitely alive. See Zeptoforth, for current ARM microcontrollers.
Lisp
Obviouslly alive, given that millions use emacs which uses a LISP dialect.
Algol
60 or 68? Are Univac/Burroughs machines still around in production? If so, 60 is alive.
And Algol 68 runs on current machines, via GCC.
Dibol
Focal
Occam
Prolog
Watfor & Watfive
It's WATFIV. And those are FORTRAN implementations, not languages in their own right.
Ratfor
Flap
Ralf
Teco (editor and macro language)
I don't use it a lot, but I stil run it on my Mac from time to time when I need to do
some magic that it does more easily (for me) than emacs.
Pilot
DB2
Foxbase
Any of the Hp Calculator languages (RPL, HP-41 User code)
I'm sure their are dead dialects of BASIC but BASIC is currently supported as Visual
Basic and Dartmouth Basic.
Please update this list as to whether any of these languages are dead (by the current
definition above) or alive. Also, please add new definitions and languages that are dead
or nearly dead.
Note: Dead dialects of a living language don't count.
Some other older languages:
SNOBOL
SYMPL
CYBIL
Tutor (probably not alive by your definition but alive surprisingly recently)
PL/I
POP-2
paul