A Semiotic Analysis of Programming Languages

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of computer programming languages based on the semiotics of Charles S. Peirce. The author describes how such languages could evolve in order to achieve some of the expressive characteristics of natural languages. This description evinces otherwise unnoticed differences between natural languages and programming languages, showing that Peircean semiotics is an efficient analysis tool. This suggests further research on the technical features needed to implement an easier way to program computers.