AI programming languages: two classic symbolic processing languages are PROLOG and which of the following?

Introduction / Context:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) historically relied on languages that make symbolic reasoning and knowledge representation convenient. Two canonical languages in this space are PROLOG (logic programming) and LISP (LISt Processing), both enabling expressive manipulation of symbols and rules.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question pairs PROLOG with another classic AI language.
• We distinguish general business or systems languages from symbolic AI languages.
• Focus is on historical, foundational usage in AI research/education.

Concept / Approach:
LISP features first-class functions, homoiconicity, and garbage collection, making it ideal for symbolic computation and rapid prototyping of AI algorithms. PROLOG expresses problems as facts and rules, with inference performed by backtracking and unification, suiting expert systems and search problems.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify languages traditionally associated with AI: LISP and PROLOG.2) Exclude general business/structured languages (COBOL, Pascal, BASIC, Fortran) that are less focused on symbolic reasoning.3) Select LISP.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard AI curricula and textbooks frequently introduce LISP or Scheme alongside PROLOG for symbolic tasks, confirming the pairing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
COBOL: business data processing. BASIC: educational/general purpose. Pascal: structured teaching language. Fortran: numeric/scientific computing; none are canonical symbolic AI mainstays compared with LISP.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing modern popularity (e.g., Python) with historical foundations; the question explicitly references “two of the major processing languages.”

Final Answer:
LISP.