Write-only language

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Write-only language is a derogatory term for a programming language whose syntax is considered inscrutable. Write-only code is source code so arcane, complex, or ill-structured that it cannot be reliably modified or even comprehended by anyone with the possible exception of the author. The phrase "write-only" is a play on read-only memory.

It is also referred to as line noise, suggesting that the code looks like spurious characters from signal noise in the communication line.

Many programmers believe that certain languages make it easy to write (subjectively) "bad" programs. In such a language it would be more difficult to read, understand, and modify existing source code than to start over and rewrite it from scratch.

Languages that are often derided as write-only include: APL, DDT, Forth, TECO, and Perl, especially regular expressions.

Attributes that these languages have in common include a large set of operators and a syntax which permits (or encourages) the writing of very dense code.

It is also a common feature of esoteric programming languages that strive to have obfuscated code, such as INTERCAL.

Bibliography

Write-Only Language entry in the Jargon File

See also

• Spaghetti code
• Write Only Memory

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