Fifth-generation programming language: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Category of programming languages}}

A '''fifth-generation programming language''' (abbreviated '''5GL''') is a [[programming language]] based around solving problems using [[Constraint programming|constraints]] given to the program, rather than using an [[algorithm]] written by a programmer. Most constraint-based and [[logic programming]] languages and some declarative languages are fifth-generation languages.

{{Refimprove|date=August 2018}}

A '''fifth-generation programming language''' (abbreviated '''5GL''') is a [[high-level programming language|high-level]] [[programming language]] based aroundon problem-solving problems using [[Constraint programming|constraints]] given to the program, rather than using an [[algorithm]] written by a programmer.<ref>{{cite book |title=Network dictionary |date=2007 |publisher=Javvin Technologies, Inc |isbn=9781602670006 |editor1-last=Dong |editor1-first=Jielin |___location=Saratoga, Calif. |page=195}}</ref> Most [[constraint programming|constraint-based]] and [[logic programming]] languages and some other [[declarative languageslanguage]]s are fifth-generation languages.

==History==

While [[fourth-generation programming language]]s are designed to build specific programs, fifth-generation languages are designed to make the computer solve thea given problem forwithout youthe programmer. This way, the programmeruser only needs to worry about what problems need to be solved and what conditions need to be met, without worrying about how to implement a routine or algorithm to solve them. Fifth-generation languages are used mainly in [[artificial intelligence]] research. [[Prolog]], [[OPS5]], and [[Mercury (programming language)|Mercury]] are theexamples best knownof fifth-generation languages,<ref name="bala">E. Balagurusamy, ''Fundamentals of Computers'', Mcgraw Hill Education (India), 2009, {{ISBN|978-0070141605}}, p. 340</ref> as is [[ICAD (software)|ICAD]], which was built upon [[Lisp (programming language)|Lisp]]. [[KL-ONE]] is an example of a related idea, a [[frame language]].

In the 1980s, fifth-generation languages were considered to be the way of the future, and some predicted that they would replace procedural programming with constraint based programming for all tasks that could be framed as a series of logical constraints.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kahanwal |first1=Brijender |date=4 October 2013 |title=A taxonomy for programming languages with multisequential processes |journal=International Journal of Programming Languages and Applications |volume=3 |issue=4 |arxiv=1311.3293 |doi=10.5121/ijpla.2013.3401}}</ref> Most notably, from 1982 to 1993, [[Japan]]<ref name="Ref1">{{Cite web |author=Richard Grigonis |title=FIFTH-GENERATION COMPUTERS |url=http://www.atariarchives.org/deli/fifth_generation.php |access-date=2008-03-05}}</ref><ref name="Ref2">{{Cite web |author=ALP |title=Association for Logic Programming (ALP) |url=http://www.logicprogramming.org/ |access-date=2008-03-05}}</ref> put much research and money into their [[Fifth generation computer|fifth-generation computer systems project]], hoping to design a massive computer network of machines using these tools.

These types of languages were also built upon Lisp, many originating on the [[Lisp machine]]. [[ICAD]] is a good example. Then, there are many [[frame language]]s, such as [[KL-ONE]].

However, as larger programs were built, the flaws of the approach became more apparent. It turns out that, starting fromgiven a set of constraints defining a particular problem, deriving an efficient algorithm to solve it is a very difficult problem in itself. This crucial step cannot yet be automated and still requires the insight of a human programmer.

In the [[1990s]], fifth-generation languages were considered to be the wave of the future, and some predicted that they would replace all other languages for system development, with the exception of low-level languages. Most notably, [[Japan]] put much research and money into their fifth-generation computer systems project, hoping to design a massive computer network of machines using these tools.

==Common misconception==

However, as larger programs were built, the flaws of the approach became more apparent. It turns out that, starting from a set of constraints defining a particular problem, deriving an efficient algorithm to solve it is a very difficult problem in itself. This crucial step cannot yet be automated and still requires the insight of a human programmer.

Vendors have been known on occasion to advertise their languages as 5GL. Most of the time they actually sell [[Fourth-generation programming language|4GLs]] with a higher level of automation and [[knowledge base]]. Because the hype of the 1980s faded away and the projects were eventually all dropped, 5GL awareness has also dropped; this has opened doors to the vendors to reuse the term in marketing their new tools, without causing much controversy among the current generations of programmers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Howard |first1=Philip |date=17 January 2007 |title=What makes a 5GL? |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/17/5gl/ |access-date=28 November 2019 |website=The Register}}</ref>

Today, fifth-generation languages have lost part of their initial appeal and are mostly used in academic circles.

==See also==

* [[Constraint programming]]

* [[List of programming languages for artificial intelligence]]

* [[Programming paradigm]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Programming language generations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fifth-Generation Programming Language}}

[[Category:Programming language classification]]

[[fr:L5G]]