A comparison of network and hierarchical data management in large programming projects

A number of programming languages are studied to compare their techniques for data management in large programs. In particular, it is argued that the hierarchical scope rules of Pascal violate accepted criteria for large program design. FORTRAN is shown to obey these criteria in its global data rules only. To support this, large programs in the two languages are studied in detail. There is no intention to provide statistical arguments, but rather these detailed case studies show the nature of programming style that can and cannot be supported by the languages used. Finally, the problems identified in the case studies are used to examine the suitability of a number of other programming languages with regard to data management in large projects.