EASL ... a digital computer language for "hands-on" simulation

Abstract

EASL was developed to provide a simple language which would be easy to use by the occasional computer user, whether his background was analog or digital computing, and yet be powerful enough for use in programming com plicated computer applications. The language borrows liberally from the concepts of both analog and digital com puting in order to provide a framework in which a pro grammer from either field would feel at home. At the same time, the user has available the advantages of both disciplines so that he can operate as if he has a very sophis ticated hybrid system in which analog and digital com ponents can be readily intermixed. In order to facilitate the use of EASL for engineering simulation studies, the capability of loading data and pro ducing graphical and tabular reports is provided in a man ner which is easily implemented by the user. Convenient algebraic representation is provided by FORTRAN state ments, and a simply-applied integration operation permits solution of systems of differential equations. The inherent simplicity of data input and output, where all references are made by the variable's name (which is provided by the user), lends itself to the adaptation of consoles to en able the user to monitor and control his computation. These consoles provide a "hands-on" capability for rapid control of computation based upon visual inspection of graphical output.