How CERN broke the software barrier

The idea of using interpretive software in a large computer system, whereby the source program is translated phrase by phrase at the time it has to be executed and uses a number of small modules of machine codes to carry out the required actions, has been developed for the special case of the SPS control system, where extreme flexibility and ease of modifications is important. The experience gained has made it clear that this approach offers significant advantages over conventional methods of programming especially for multi-computer systems, due to the simplicity and speed of writing and debugging control programs, which can be done by the engineers and technicians designing the equipment, instead of requiring specialised programmers. (U.K.)