WSFN (programming language)

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WSFN ("Which Stands for Nothing") was a programming language for controlling robots created by Li-Chen Wang[1] and published by Dr. Dobb's Journal in September 1977[2]. It was later translated into Japanese and published by ASCII.[1]

Extended WSFN was an implementation created for the Atari 8-bit family of home computers by Harry Stewart, and published by the Atari Program Exchange[3] in 1981[4]. Extended WSFN was designed as "beginner's language with emphasis on graphics"[5] and included turtle graphics[citation needed].

It was an exceedingly cryptic language. For example, this is a program to draw Sierpiński curves:

DIT(-I2FI5RG5RI2FI+)2R
DG4F
DY (HN63F2R61FRC4 (2FI))

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Li-Chen Wang Talk page at USCS ECE Wiki]
  2. ^ Wang, Li-Chen, “An Interactive Programming Language for Control of Robots”, Dr. Dobb's Journal 2 (10) 
  3. ^ APX listing at atariarchives.org
  4. ^ Stanford University library "Games E" collection listing
  5. ^ Learnthat definition of WSFN
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