Programming language theory (
PLT) is a branch of
computer science that deals with the design, implementation, analysis, characterization, and classification of
programming languages and their individual features. It falls within the discipline of
computer science, both depending on and affecting
mathematics,
software engineering and
linguistics. It is a well-recognized branch of computer science, and an active research area, with results published in numerous
journals dedicated to PLT, as well as in general computer science and engineering publications.