APL (A Programming Language) is a high-level, array-oriented programming language known for its concise notation and powerful expressiveness. Developed in the 1960s by Kenneth E. Iverson, APL is designed to work seamlessly with multi-dimensional data structures, making it particularly suited for mathematical computing, data analysis, and complex problem-solving. Its symbolic syntax may seem unconventional at first, but it enables highly compact and readable code once mastered.
APL is still actively used in finance, engineering, and research, with modern implementations such as Dyalog APL and GNU APL keeping it relevant. Learning APL introduces a different way of thinking about programming, emphasizing functional composition and array manipulation over traditional control structures.