If C is so evil why is it so successful?

[Chuck Guzis]

On 04/13/2017 02:19 PM, Brent Hilpert via cctalk wrote:

> While one might argue the proliferation of BASIC on micros followed
> from BG/PA & SW/SJ, I'd say their implementations were following a
> trend rather than initiating it. BASIC was gaining prominence prior
> to their implementations of it. It was in all 3 of the pre-microproc
> personal computers: HP9830, Wang2200, IBM5100. It was becoming
> popular and spreading in the small-business world through the
> Pick-based systems (albeit an extended version of the language). It
> had gained awareness through the educational system and timesharing
> systems. All prior to MS & Apple.
> 
> As bad as it was, it was present in the right place (small, easy to
> implement, interpretable &  easy to use) at the right time (the
> nascent small-system and personal computer era).

...or that Iverson language, APL, present on the 5100 and what was
probably one of the the first microcomputers, the MCM/70.

So, whence APL today?

--Chuck