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From: ma168a@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU (John Wavrik)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Forth uses
Message-ID: <4078@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU>
Date: Tue, 13-Oct-87 20:20:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: sdcc3.4078
Posted: Tue Oct 13 20:20:36 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Oct-87 20:39:02 EDT
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 23


 
  Forth is being used here for the design of special purpose systems for 
computation in abstract algebra. Forth seems ideally suited for 
experimental computing. We can build systems from existing modules; 
experiment with different data representations; try alternate approaches to 
algorithms; observe selected features of proposed algorithms as they 
execute; etc. 
  Systems can be changed dynamically as a research project progresses. 
Indeed they can be modified and extended on the fly during a computing 
session. An interactive environment is essential for this type of work. 
LISP and APL are the only other real contenders. Forth offers advantages in 
speed, memory usage, and flexibility over these. 
  Forth is more malleable than other languages. It allows users knowledge of 
and control over all aspects of the system.  It presents the user with a 
glass box rather than a black box.  For some types of computing this is 
ideal. 
 
 
 ...ucbvax!sdcsvax!sdcc3!ma168a (uucp)           John J Wavrik
 sdcc3%ma168a@SDCSVAX.UCSD.EDU  (arpa)           Math Dept   C-012
                                                 Univ of Calif - San Diego
                                                 La Jolla, CA  92093