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APL a Formatting Language Connell M. Wilson Dr. Tara Gilmore March 2, 2013

APL is a programming language which is sometimes refered to as (Array Processing Language). It was founded by Kenneth E. Iverson, a Harvard University graduate. He came up with this invention in 1957. Mr. Iverson attempted to make consistence notations that dealt with the analysis and applications that involve computers. These notations were later used on the IBM System/360 architecture. Dr. Iverson in 1962 had a book published implementing his notations, which were later called A Programming Language, and that was how the name APL was associated with his invention. It was not until1964 that the Harvard graduate got his notations officially put into a programming language. Later, in 1979 Iverson was granted the Turing Award for his work in the field. While the APL format changed over the coming decades, the core interpretative and interactive features remained the same, and it was well liked by some users. However, Kenneth E. Iversons APL format needed to be reformatted for the modern user. The original model lacked structured and modular programming that was needed but, the newer programs solved this problem. One such criticism that todays users still have are the encrypted Unicode characters used by APL. The newer APL formats now uses a character set instead of Unicode. Also, there is a format called j, which uses a pure ASCII coding that increases expression attributes. APL covers (Over a very wide set of problem domains (math, science, engineering, computer design, data visualization, actuarial science, traditional DP, etc.) Kenneth Iverson (overview). APL is very powerful programming language, and it was first made to input mathematical notations. The program is easy to learn, but hard to understand. It is hard because of the monadic or dyadic operations and functions. Loops and if then-else statements are not used in APL format; instead, arrays simulate that part of the programmings constructs. APL does have apparent high level of speed when it comes to high linear algebra. Iversons APL has better response time now than in earlier computation. The distinction APL makes between

functions and operators is very clear. The functions use values variables that output values or results. Operators incorporate functions For example the sum function is derived by applying the reduction or addition function. Kenneth Iverson (Terminology) APL also uses symbols to represent built in functions of the program. APL is often said to be unconventional because of, its use of strange symbols instead of string and numeric input variables. This programming language is unique, and it gets criticized more times than not. It was so unique that when it was invented there was only a few computers could make the computations. IBM Selectric was one of the more popular computers that could do the computations with the Unicode as a standard functions. The problems that APL faced in its infancy seem minor for todays user and fixable for better use in the future. Because of the APL has a unique and complex programming style, the language brought forth two very differing groups of users. . The original model lacked structured and modular programming that was needed; which made it harder for some users. There were some that thought the programmings language was easy to manipulate, and there were others that thought its unusual use of symbols to be too unique and hard to fully understand. The Array Processing Language; even though, it has been changed from the original format of Kenneth E. Iverson the newer APL program is still used today. This more than sixty- five year old programming language now has a larger range of compatible computers. The APL program has withstood the tests of time, whether it was compatibility issues or users comprehension problems. It has proven that the programming language is going no where any time soon.

Glossary http://www.computernosltagia.net/articles/apl.htm