Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates A Turing tarpit (or Turing tar-pit) is any programming language or computer interface that allows for flexibility in function but is difficult to learn and use because it offers little or no support for common tasks.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The phrase was coined in 1982 by Alan Perlis in the Epigrams on Programming:<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In any Turing complete language, it is possible to write any computer program, so in a very rigorous sense nearly all programming languages are equally capable. However, having that theoretical ability is not the same as usefulness in practice. Turing tarpits are characterized by having a simple abstract machine that requires the user to deal with many details in the solution of a problem.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the extreme opposite are interfaces that can perform very complex tasks with little human intervention but become obsolete if requirements change slightly.
Some esoteric programming languages, such as Brainfuck or Malbolge, are specifically referred to as "Turing tarpits"<ref name=chandra2014geek>Template:Cite book</ref> because they deliberately implement the minimum functionality necessary to be classified as Turing complete languages. Using such languages is a form of mathematical recreation: programmers can work out how to achieve basic programming constructs in an extremely difficult but mathematically Turing-equivalent language.<ref>Esoteric Topics in Computer Programming, Cat's Eye Technologies, Canada. ("They present the programmer with the challenge, intrigue, and entertainment of looking at known algorithms and concepts in a whole new light.")</ref>
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- G. Fischer, A.C. Lemke, "Constrained Design Processes: Steps Toward Convivial Computing", Technical Report CU-CS-369-87, University of Colorado, USA.
- E.L. Hutchins, J.D. Hollan, D.A. Norman, Template:Cite journal. Also found in Template:Cite book
- Esolangs, Turing Tarpit.