Toward a Programming Laboratory

This term is meant to suggest not only the usual specifics of programming system and language but also such more elusive and subjective considerations as ease and level of interaction, "forgivefulness" of errors, human engineering, and system "Initiative." In normal usage, the word "environment" refers to the "aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual." The programmer's enivronment influences, to a large extent determines, what sort of problems he can (and will want to) tackle, how far he can go, and how fast. If the environment is "cooperative" and "helpful" -- the anthropomorphism is deliberate -- then the programmer can be more ambitious and oroductive. If not, he will spend most of his time and energy "fighting" the system, which at times seems bent on frustrating his best efforts.