Machine dependent programming in common languages

It is suggested that we should distinguish between common programming languages and common solutions to specific problems. A solution may depend on specific machine characteristics even though it is expressed in a common language. It is further suggested that in future common programming languages this should be admitted openly by allowing the programmer to get access to the machine characteristics at hand through Environment Enquiries which are part of the language. Some specific examples of Environment Enquiries are given.An earlier version of this paper was published in ALGOL BULLETIN no. 18, October 1964.