ma168a@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU (John Wavrik) (10/14/87)
Forth is being used here for the design of special purpose systems for
computation in abstract algebra. Forth seems ideally suited for
experimental computing. We can build systems from existing modules;
experiment with different data representations; try alternate approaches to
algorithms; observe selected features of proposed algorithms as they
execute; etc.
Systems can be changed dynamically as a research project progresses.
Indeed they can be modified and extended on the fly during a computing
session. An interactive environment is essential for this type of work.
LISP and APL are the only other real contenders. Forth offers advantages in
speed, memory usage, and flexibility over these.
Forth is more malleable than other languages. It allows users knowledge of
and control over all aspects of the system. It presents the user with a
glass box rather than a black box. For some types of computing this is
ideal.
...ucbvax!sdcsvax!sdcc3!ma168a (uucp) John J Wavrik
sdcc3%ma168a@SDCSVAX.UCSD.EDU (arpa) Math Dept C-012
Univ of Calif - San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093rat@circle.UUCP (David Douthitt) (10/23/87)
I want to thank all who answered my request. I've always wondered just
what Forth WAS used for. I received a couple of letters that said that
Forth was used for quick hacks, but most development was done in C.
I've recently decided I should learn C, but I'll never truly give up
Forth. I'll also never be able to decide which I like best. For me, it
seems that Forth promotes fast prototyping, but C promotes fast code.
I've tried to write a bulletin board in Forth, and as a part of that
project also a terminal program. However, my Forth couldn't keep up with
the incoming character stream. I feel certain that a C version of the
program would fare better. However, it would take longer to design the C
program I think.
In the C I use (or TRY TO) you have to compile, then assemble, then link!
For Forth, all you do is compile and AWAAAAAAYYYY we go!
Thoughts? Perhaps someone should write a Forth-to-C translator? :-)
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don't much care where---" said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.
"---so long as I get SOMEWHERE," Alice added as an explanation.
"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long
enough."
--- curiouser and curiouser?
--
::: David Douthitt ::: Madison, Wisc :::
uucp mail: ...!uwvax!geowhiz!uwspan!circle!rat
fidonet mail: 121/1David_Andrew_Nye@cup.portal.com (10/26/87)
Michael Nemeth has been collecting names of commercial programs written in Forth. His list appeared in Forth Dimensions this month (31 programs including VP-Planner, Zoomracks, VALDOCS, Easywriter, Neon, and Starflight). Since Forth is heavily used in instrument control, in the majority of cases it is part of an industrial or other process control application. I'm a hobbyist, and I use Forth more than C or assembler. Its the only language I know for which it is actually good practice to "design at the terminal"! p page