Is the role of applied programming languages changing?

Programming languages such as C, QuickBASIC and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) ladder logic have been part of Engineering Technology curriculums for years. The increasing availability of powerful and low-cost computing hardware, graphical user interface based multitasking operating systems, visual programming languages, and new programming standards have provided the environment for the implementation of Rapid Application Development (RAD) programming techniques. Examples of these techniques such as menu, text, graphical, and icon based programming are presented. Their widespread use for mainstream industrial control and data acquisition applications have resulted in a migration away from the use of traditional programming languages. The implications of this migration for the content of Engineering Technology curriculums are explored