Applications of logic What are some applications of symbolic logic? I tried using Google and Bing but just got a bunch of book recommendations, and links to articles I did not understand.
 A: Among others, logic has application in 


*

*natural language processing, for example in formalisms like HPSG or CCG;

*programming languages, where type theory plays a major role;

*correctness, verification and concurrency in computer science, for example Hoare logic, but also things like CTL.

*various semantic-related data models like ontologies or the RDF or OWL file formats, even some databases could fit in here;

*tree processing (like tree automata), for example things like XSLT rely on logic very much.


Of course, it's not only symbolic logic (other techniques are sure to be there), but symbolic logic does have a say in all of the above points (even if it is far from the most important aspect).
I hope this helps ;-)
A: Some would say that symbolic logic, of its nature, just is a branch of applicable mathematics already, from the very outset. 
Compare: classical mechanics, say, is that branch of applied (and so applicable!) mathematics which constructs models (heavily idealised but useful models) of various classes of physical phenomena. Symbolic logic is that branch of applicable mathematics whose business is to construct models (heavily idealised but useful models) of mathematical reasoning. 
We can then, as @dtlarek notes, unsurprisingly use these formal models of mathematical reasoning in various formal computer-science applications. But arguably these are, in a good sense, secondary applications.
A: In addition to the direct uses that everyone else is mentioning, learning symbolic logic has indirect benefits. Indirectly, understanding symbolic logic helps to understand where people go wrong in their everyday conversations. For instance, politicians will often use tricks to convince people that their viewpoint is right. Understanding logic helps you quickly pull apart bad arguments. 
A: It aids mathematicians to explain or describe something i.e. a specific statement in such a way that other mathematicians will understand, also it makes the statement open to manipulation, furthermore it is less time consuming to write an equation than the whole statement. Also it is a universal language which is understood by all and there is no error when translating text, and finally you can focus on the important part of the statement.
