Theory
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Time sharing in a traffic control program
The Toronto traffic-signal control system consists of a variety of logically distinct computer programs, all competing for machine time. To satisfy these demands, a time-sharing program has been written whose purpose is to execute, in the order of a predefined priority, the various subprograms within the real-time system. In this paper the more interesting aspects of the time-sharing program are outlined.
An executive system implemented as a finite-state automaton
The 473L command and control system used by the Air Force permits many operators to access large data files through the use of a computer. The man-machine interface is satisfied by several communication consoles from which operators may enter queries and view replies. A data link permits remote stations to send messages, status reports and inventories directly to the computer. The information received over the online data link is used to update the data files which are stored on disk.
The 473L programming system is divided into an Executive Control Program and five components with different processing priorities. These priorities permit the system to be most sensitive to the console inputs and permit the operators at all the consoles to time share the central processor. The Executive Control Program provides for the orderly transitions of control among the programming system components. The major emphasis of the paper is on the technique of using the definition of a finite-state automaton for organizing the Executive Control Program.
History and summary of FORTRAN standardization development for the ASA
The American Standards Association (ASA) Sectional Committee X3 for Computers and Information Processing was established in 1960 under the sponsorship of the Business Equipment Manufacturers Association. ASA X 3 in turn established an X3.4 Sectional Subcommittee to work in the area of common programming language standards. On May 17, 1962, X3.4 established by resolution a working group, X3.4.3-FORTRAN to develop American Standard FORTRAN proposals.
Constraint-type statements in programming languages
A proposal is made for including in a programming language statements which imply relations between variables but which are not explicit assignment statements. The compiler sets up a Newtonian iteration making use for the purpose of a routine for formal differentiation.
A method of syntax specification
The addition of a few simple conventions to the Backus Normal Form specification of a language provides a mode of description which is more compact and easier to prepare and use than either the standard BNF description [1] or the corresponding syntactical chart [2].
Extension of existing compilers by sophisticated use of macros
A description is presented of an application in which macros and string concatenation were employed to add a new facility to BELFAP.
A storage allocation and reference structure
A method is proposed and discussed which allows a subscripted-variable capability (in the FORTRAN sense) to be added to AUTOCODER-Type assembly systems.
Scheduling meetings with a computer
Computer scheduling of papers as it was developed for the 1960 meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) is described. The FASEB meeting is the largest scientific meeting held in the United States each year. The technique developed for FASEB can be applied to schedule any meeting with parallel sessions.
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