The Beginning and Development of FORMAC (FORmula MAnipulation Compiler)

Abstract

The first widely available programming language for symbolic mathematical computation to have significant practical usage was FORMAC (FORmula MAnipulation Compiler). This paper discusses the earliest conceptual work in detail, and then provides information about later developments of the language. Other languages and systems of the early and mid-1960s are described briefly, with emphasis on their relation to FORMAC. There are also a few glimpses into the software management process at IBM. Finally there is an evaluation of FORMAC and its influence.