20 Nov 09 What is Literate Programming?

Literate programming is, quite simply, a method of software programming that is based more on the thoughts and natural flow of the human mind than on the structure that was used back in the 1970's. As we move further away from the order imposed by the computers, programmers are able to think quicker and more clearly. Translating thoughts and ideas into something that a computer can understand becomes far easier with literate programming.

With literate programming, the base is usually some natural language, such as English, mixed with pieces of macros and traditional source code. These macros basically explain to the computer exactly what it is we want it to do when we give it certain commands, as computers do not inherently understand the our language. Many times, the macros are hiding entire sub-programs that can be executed with a simple word or phrase. Although there will be rules in which these macros operate, and methods that they must be strung together in order to flow correctly, many programs will have chains upon chains of macros, instructing the computer to do all manner of calculations and produce many different types of results. This creates what is called a meta-language, a concept that is at the core of literate programming. To a programmer, this meta-language becomes almost a spoken language, and because it is based on a natural spoken tongue, the human mind can quickly grasp and find patterns that it can work with to efficiently use this language to communicate commands to the computer.

Advantages of this method are an increase in the speed and accuracy of programming, and the ability to add far more complicated code than otherwise used. On the other hand, as the programmers pull further away from the computer's true language, they begin to lose their understanding of its abilities and workings, possibly limiting them in what they are able to comprehend on the fly.