Wegstein algebraic language(ID:7396/weg002)

Intermediate language 

Alternative to IAL and to UNCOL proposed by Wegstein in 1959
Related languages
IAL => Wegstein algebraic language   Antipathy to
UNCOL => Wegstein algebraic language   Antipathy to
Wegstein algebraic language => Kanner algebraic translator   Influence
Wegstein algebraic language => SALE   Influence
Wegstein algebraic language => Wegstein string Algol   Influence
References:
  • Wegstein, J. H. "From formulas to computer oriented language" pp6-8 view details Abstract: A technique is shown for enabling a computer to translate simple algebraic formulas into a three address computer code. Extract: Introduction
    A compiler which translates problems in the form of algebraic statements, such as those of FORTRAN, UNICODE, IT, and the International Algebraic Language, into computer code is usually a complicated and elaborate device.
    However, the portion of such a compiler which deals with algebraic formulas is rather interesting and can be rather easily described. This paper presents a study of one possible method of systematically converting formulas into three-address computer code. This formula translator determines when adjacent symbols imply the operation of multiplication. Therefore, input formulas need not include superfluous multiplication symbols. Extract: Outlook
    Outlook
    Figure 1 describes the code for a portion of a compiler for handling formulas. This code could also be used as an interpreter. Formulas could thus be the stored state. ments of the problem. As they are interpreted, they could immediately be executed in the form of computer in. struetions. This procedure would be very slow, but there is an advantage in compact and easy-to-write codes.
    Figure 1 consists largely of comparison and remote. switching operations and one is inclined to speculate on the feasibility of building these eireuits directly into computer hardware. In an era of computers with multiple arithmetic units, and possibly a standardized algebraic problem oriented language (IAL), a "red-tape" or secondary computer might interpret statements as fast as a primary or arithmetic computer could perform the arithmetic calculations.
          in [ACM] CACM 2(03) March 1959 view details