A high-level language for use with multi-computer networks

Two basic trends can be observed in the modern evolution of computer systems. They are the development of computer systems dedicated to a single task or user (minicomputers) where the sophistication of large computer systems is being applied to smaller units, and the trend of very large systems that locate the user remotely from the computer and share resources between more and more locations. It is to the latter case that this paper is directed. This trend reaches its culmination in the design of distributed computer systems, where many individual computer components are located remotely from each other, and they are used to jointly perform computer operations in the solution of a single problem. Systems such as these are being developed in increasing numbers, although they are yet only a small fraction of the total number of computer systems. Examples of such systems range from those that are National and International in scope (the United States' APRANET, Canada's CANUNET, the Soviet Union's ASUS system and the European Computer Network Project), the statewide systems (the North Carolina Educational Computer System and the MERIT Computer Network), to single site systems (The Lawrence Radiation Laboratory Network and Data Ring Oriented Computer Networks). These systems and others have been designed to solve problems in the areas of research, education, governmental planning, airline reservations and commercial time-sharing. Taken together they demonstrate a capability for computer utilization that places more usable computer power in the user's control than he has ever had before. The challenge is to make effective use of this new tool.