THE COLINGO SYSTEM DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Abstract
This report describes the design and operation of COLINGO (Compile On-LINe and GO), a program system embodying a computer control and query language that provides the operator with a grammar and vocabu lary approximating English to control program data and equipment in a data processing system. COLINGO provides both logical and mathematical control of data in the system, and allows the operator to specify the output format and content. Additionally, it provides the capability of on-line programming in a higher-ordered language called the COLINGO Control Language (CCL). The system provides internal editing, detection, and error correction features. A primary design objective was to make COLINGO adaptable to a changing set of requirements and particularly responsive to data compatability, on-line programming, simple extension, and good manmachine interface. This necessitated maintaining independence of data from programs so that changes in one do not affect the other. The objective was achieved by means of a common retrieval and control program that uses a set of dictionary tables as the translation medium between programs and data. With this concept, changes in programs or data are reflected in modifications to the tables instead of the usual modification to the data or programs, or both.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0608833
Entities
People
- Durwood H. Neuse
- James F. Spitzer
- Joseph G. Robertson Jr.
Organizations
- MITRE Corporation