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Programming Language

MAD (Michigan Algorithm Decoder)

Procedural Language

MAD (Michigan Algorithm Decoder) is an early programming language developed at the University of Michigan beginning in 1959, based on ALGOL 58 and notable for the speed of its compiler and its extensive use in university computing courses through the 1960s and 1970s. MAD supported flexible, extensible syntax and was widely used for teaching structured programming to a generation of computer science students on IBM mainframes. Bernard Galler, Bruce Arden and Robert Graham were the language's principal designers at Michigan's computing center.

Facts
First Released
1959 2
Paradigm
procedural, imperative, structured 2
Significance
Widely used to teach programming at colleges and universities during the 1960s, and played a minor role in the development of CTSS, Multics and the Michigan Terminal System. 2
Classification
Typing Discipline
Statically Typed 1
Typing Discipline
Strongly Typed 1
FAQs

What made the Michigan Algorithm Decoder notable among early languages?

MAD was one of the first extensible languages: the user could define his own operators and data types.
Connections

Follows Typing Discipline

In Field

Source MAD (programming language) (Wikipedia)

Invented By

Source MAD (programming language) (Wikipedia)
Bruce Arden, Pioneers
Source MAD (programming language) (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. MAD (programming language) (Wikipedia)
  • Infobox: typing
    Static, strong
  • In Field: Programming Language Theory, Lead sentence
    MAD (Michigan Algorithm Decoder) is a programming language and compiler for the IBM 704 and later the IBM 709, IBM 7090, IBM 7040, UNIVAC 1107, UNIVAC 1108, Philco 210-211, and eventually IBM System/370 mainframe computers.
  • Invented By: Bruce Arden, Infobox: designers
    Bernard Galler, Bruce Arden, Robert M. Graham
  • Invented By: Bernard Galler, Infobox: designers
    Bernard Galler, Bruce Arden, Robert M. Graham
  • In Group: ALGOL-Derived Languages, Lead section
    MAD is a variant of the ALGOL language
View the Source
2. Michigan Algorithm Decoder (Wikipedia)
  • Lead, second sentence
    Developed in 1959 at the University of Michigan by Bernard Galler, Bruce Arden and Robert M. Graham, MAD is a variant of the ALGOL language.
  • Infobox, Paradigm
    procedural, imperative, structured
  • Lead, third sentence
    It was widely used to teach programming at colleges and universities during the 1960s and played a minor role in the development of Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS), Multics, and the Michigan Terminal System computer operating systems.
View the Source
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