User:Dinosaur: Difference between revisions
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The COBOL programme would read text into variables A and B, set values into x and y, and if A was "numeric" and B was "numeric", proceed. Alas, I was unclear on the distinction between programme source statements, and run-time compiled code. There are of course many languages whereby exactly this would work, possibly with the introduction of something like an "evaluate(A)" statement, but, COBOL is not one of them. Ah well. |
The COBOL programme would read text into variables A and B, set values into x and y, and if A was "numeric" and B was "numeric", proceed. Alas, I was unclear on the distinction between programme source statements, and run-time compiled code. There are of course many languages whereby exactly this would work, possibly with the introduction of something like an "evaluate(A)" statement, but, COBOL is not one of them. Ah well. |
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In 1970 at Auckland University, the Applied Mathematics class introduced the AMI computer, a decimal computer with a thousand five-digit words of storage, which one programmed in machine code only, thus learning about the bootstrap, the loader and the relocating loader, as well as writing assembler programmes to calculate sin(x), etc. with Tschebychev polynomials used to spread the accuracy more evenly and with fewer terms though odder coefficients. This computer was actually manifested via an interpreter on an IBM1130. We were also introduced to Fortran IV, and could have actual operating access to its predecessor, an IBM1620 which worked in Fortran II. This computer's electronics were discrete transistors on printed circuit boards - I missed out on "first generation" valve electronics for computers and the still earlier electro-mechanical devices, though we did have access to a cardpunch/printer whose electro-mechanical workings could be programmed via a plug board. Thus, I am a dinosaur of the Jurassic period, not the Triassic. |
In 1970 at Auckland University, the Applied Mathematics class introduced the AMI computer, a decimal computer with a thousand five-digit words of storage, which one programmed in machine code only, thus learning about the bootstrap, the loader and the relocating loader, as well as writing assembler programmes to calculate sin(x), etc. with Tschebychev polynomials used to spread the accuracy more evenly and with fewer terms though odder coefficients. This computer was actually manifested via an interpreter on an IBM1130. We were also introduced to Fortran IV, and could have actual operating access to its predecessor, an IBM1620 which worked in Fortran II. This computer's electronics were discrete transistors on printed circuit boards - I missed out on "first generation" valve electronics for computers and the still earlier electro-mechanical devices, though we did have access to a cardpunch/printer whose electro-mechanical workings could be programmed via a plug board, and the Physics lab offered a Friden electric-powered mechanical calculator and like everyone else, I tried out dividing by zero. Whirrrr... Thus, I am a dinosaur of the Jurassic period, not the Triassic. |
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Later that year I wrote an interpreter for the AMI system for the IBM1620, and thereby won four milkshakes from a friend, Michael Dowling, who took the AMI course the following year and used my programme for test runs. On one of his assignments, he had difficulty and test runs were facilitated by the immediate feedback. I happened by, and the discussion went somewhat as follows: |
Later that year I wrote an interpreter for the AMI system for the IBM1620, and thereby won four milkshakes from a friend, Michael Dowling, who took the AMI course the following year and used my programme for test runs. On one of his assignments, he had difficulty and test runs were facilitated by the immediate feedback. I happened by, and the discussion went somewhat as follows: |
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