Fifth-generation programming language: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Category of programming languages}}

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

{{Refimprove|date=August 2018}}

A '''fifth -generation programming language''' (abbreviated as '''5GL''') is a [[high-level programming language|high-level]] [[programming language]] based on problem-solving using 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 language]]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 a given problem without the 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 examples of 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 allprocedural otherprogramming languageswith constraint based programming for systemall development,tasks withthat thecould exceptionbe framed as a series of low-levellogical languagesconstraints.<ref>{{Citationcite journal |last1=Kahanwal |first1=Brijender needed|date=July4 2009October 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 |title=FIFTHaccess-GENERATION COMPUTERS|accessdatedate=2008-03-05|author=Richard Grigonis}}</ref><ref name="Ref2">{{Cite web |urlauthor=http://www.logicprogramming.org/ALP |title=Association for Logic Programming (ALP) |accessdateurl=http://www.logicprogramming.org/ |access-date=2008-03-05|author=ALP}}</ref> put much research and money into their [[fifthFifth 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]], such as [[ICAD (software)|ICAD]]. Then, there are many [[frame language]]s, such as [[KL-ONE]]. {{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}

However, as larger programs were built, the flaws of the approach became more apparent. It turns out that, given 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.{{Citation needed|date=August 2014}}

In the 1980s, fifth-generation languages were considered to be the way of the future, and some predicted that they would replace all other languages for system development, with the exception of low-level languages.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Most notably, from 1982 to 1993 [[Japan]]<ref name="Ref1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.atariarchives.org/deli/fifth_generation.php|title=FIFTH-GENERATION COMPUTERS|accessdate=2008-03-05|author=Richard Grigonis}}</ref><ref name="Ref2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.logicprogramming.org/|title=Association for Logic Programming (ALP)|accessdate=2008-03-05|author=ALP}}</ref> put much research and money into their [[fifth generation computer systems project]], hoping to design a massive computer network of machines using these tools.

However, as larger programs were built, the flaws of the approach became more apparent. It turns out that, given 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.{{Citation needed|date=August 2014}}

==Common misconception==

Vendors have been known on occasion to advertise their languages as 5GL.<ref>[http://www.it-analysis.com/channels/content.php?cid=9096 What makes a 5GL?]</ref> Most of the time they actually sell [[4GLFourth-generation programming language|4GLs]]s 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 re-usereuse the term in marketing their new tools, without causing much controversy among the current generations of programmers.<ref>{{Citationcite web |last1=Howard |first1=Philip needed|date=October17 2013January 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>

== See also ==

* [[Constraint programming]]

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

* [[Programming paradigmsparadigm]]

==References==