A facility for user definition of simple problem oriented languages

Abstract

Notwithstanding the considerable effort expended on development of computer languages, the great majority of users are restricted to one of the common algebraic languages (ALGOL, FORTRAN, etc.) for problem solving. In the authors' working environment, it is possible to identify professional disciplines where a problem oriented language would be of great utility; however, it is clear that in the absence of computing experience, the definition of a useful POL would be a lengthy trial and error procedure. As an aid in language definition a macro facility has been implemented on the Allen--Babcock Computing IBM 360/50, whose RUSH system provides a conversational subset of PL/1 [1].