Design philosophy for an interactive keyboard terminal

The basic version of the Klerer--May programming system has been in operation at Columbia University's Hudson Laboratories for nearly four years in an off-line mode and for two years in an on-line mode. This system [1--3] permits programming using normal two-dimensional mathematical expressions and flexible language forms. In the area of scientific applications, such a language approach permits faster total throughput, i.e., less time spent in programming or debugging a specific problem compared to conventional FORTRAN-like languages. It also offers a basic framework for extension into other areas such as the manipulation and editing of two-dimensional mathematical input for automatic typesetting of mathematical text [4]. A typical program segment in this language is illustrated in Fig. 1. More visually complex forms, such as multiple integrals, sums, products, and "IF" conditions are also recognized and compiled.