From the ALAN manual introduction:
ALAN tries to keep a natural language look, so doesn't use typical programming constructs such as brackets or other complicated visual punctuation. It is a bit easier for non-programmers to understand and use than some of the other, more fully developed InteractiveFiction programming languages.
Interesting enhancements to the language include StephenGriffith?'s tutorial (http://welcome.to/alan-if/tutor/contents.htm), his Windows console for writing in ALAN (ftp://ftp.gmd.de/if-archive/programming/alan/executables/adew.exe), and his enhancement of the standard library (http://w1.132.telia.com/~u13207378/alan/download/alanlib031.zip).
(submitted by Lelah Conrad, lac@nu-world.com)