Universal computer-oriented language
Research and Advances
The basic idea of UNCOL Universal Computer-Oriented Language—is to introduce a language between problem-oriented languages, POLs, and machine languages, MLs. This third level consists of a single language, UNCOL, which has the character of a generalized machine-line language.
Recent contributions on the subject of counting the ones or reversing the digits of a binary word have prompted some rather more general observations on bitwise operations which treat each binary digit in a computer word as a separate entity.
Computer languages for heuristic processes
The applicability of computers to many problem-solving situations—chess playing, mathematical proofs, music composition, etc.—has been demonstrated. We wish to explore further heuristic processes suggested by human problem-solving activity. One step toward this goal has been the design of a system named ROVER. ROVER refers both to the simulated computer and the information processing language it uses.
SDC is currently engaged in producing a “JOVIAL” compiler for each of its computers. The compilers are being produced by a bootstrapping method similar to that described in a report on UNCOL [1]. In discussing the steps involved, we resorted to diagrams to clear up the confusion that arose when trying to describe, for example, how a JOVIAL generator for the IBM 709 could produce a JOVIAL translator to the Philco S-2000 that would run on the 709 and then use the resulting 709 - S-2000 translator to produce a JOVIAL translator to the S-2000 that would run on the S-2000.
Symbolic analysis methods for information systems
The purpose of this research in the area of information systems is basically twofold: (1) to produce new techniques of systems analysis and systems design that will be free of many of the defects of present techniques, and (2) to program a general purpose computer to enable it to apply at least major parts of these new techniques, in a way that will enable a linkage with automatic coding techniques. The major defects of the present techniques are high cost, low validity, low reliability, heavy reliance upon intuition and experience, and slow speed of effective application.
Two subroutines for symbol manipulation with an algebraic compiler
The current University of North Carolina version of the IT Compiler [1, 2], as well as the GAT Compiler of Arden and Graham of the University of Michigan [3], have special “alphabetic read” and “alphabetic type” statements. On the UNIVAC 1105 these features allow the direct input or output of six-symbol words, each symbol being either an alphanumeric or special character. Internally, each symbol is represented by a six-bit binary coded decimal code. On the IBM 650, five-symbol words are processed, with each symbol represented internally by a two-digit decimal code.
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