Strange loop is a conference that often isn't as strange as its name suggests - as long as you are a programmer. In this case the session was very strange but a lot of fun. Try a side-by-side history of languages and music. 

I think the "performers" explain it best of all:

"we present a whirlwind tour of the history programming languages set to music. We propose a series of historical correspondences between significant (and not so significant) expressions of recorded music and programming language theory. Our milieu is a detailed timeline of programming language developments, including the creation and development of every significant programming language paradigm. On top of that we overlay an idiosyncratic selection of albums and performances meant to highlight the achievements of each language. By contrasting the histories of programming languages and music, we hope to deepen our appreciation of two of the most fertile human activities of the last 200 years."

Watch the video. It's a little slow to get started, but as soon as you get to Fortran, just short of 10 minutes in, things take off and you stand a good chance of being hooked: 

It leaves a lot of questions unanswered.

Are programmers more "into"  complex music than the average?

Is there any correspondence between music development and programming languages? 

After all, music is algorithmic and just another branch of programming.

More Information

Strange Loop

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