rrw@naucse.UUCP (Robert Wier) (05/18/89)
The SNOBOL4 Language for the Apple Macintosh
============================================
MaxSPITBOL is a high-performance implementation of the SNOBOL4
programming language for the Apple Macintosh(r) computer. MaxSPITBOL
is particularly useful for pattern matching, ``text crunching,'' and
all non-numeric computations, including:
* Conversion, reformatting and analysis of text
* Typesetting and publishing
* Artificial intelligence and expert systems
* Complex pattern matching and recognition
* Natural language translation
* Compiler protyping
* Literature and music analysis
Language Features Include . . .
-------------------------------
* Fast execution speed: times equivalent to SPITBOL on a DEC 8600
(performance times using a Mac II). Typical statement execution
times are 75-150 microseconds. The BREAK function will scan
225,000 characters per second (440,000 c.p.s. with a one-
character argument).
* Fast compilation speed: 20,000-30,000 statements per minute
* Full features of the latest version of Macro SPITBOL version 3.6,
including built-in SORT functions, random-access I/O, CODE and
EVAL functions, and a recursive-descent pattern matcher
* 32-bit integer and 64-bit real numbers
* Automatic storage allocation and fast garbage collection
* Ability to access files at the byte-stream level for system-type
applications
* Workspace size and maximum string length limited only by
available memory
Mac-Specific Features Include . . .
-----------------------------------
* A multi-windowed editor with fully integrated development
environment
* File-Windows reroutes file I/O to on-screen windows for debugging
* MultiFinder friendly--MaxSPITBOL can run in the background
* Launch other applications when running under MultiFinder
* On-line help system with language reference
* Uses 68020-specific integer arithmetic instructions if available
* Directly accesses the 68881 coprocessor for fastest possible
computation with real numbers (the Macintosh's built-in SANE
library is used if the 68881 is unavailable)
* Optional use of Macintosh international routines for lexical
comparison and sorting with non-ASCII collation sequences
* Access to file dialogs and alerts
* Documentation includes a thorough tutorial and reference manual--
everything you need to learn and use this powerful language
Compatibility with SNOBOL4 . . .
--------------------------------
MaxSPITBOL is highly compatible with SNOBOL4. Most SNOBOL4 programs
run unaltered, or with minimal changes to INPUT/OUTPUT associations.
Extensions include:
* Built in sort feature--SORT and RSORT
* Error recovery and exception handling--SETEXIT
* Additional pattern functions--BREAKX and FENCE
* Additional string-handling primitives--LEQ, LGE, LLT, LNE, LPAD,
REVERSE, RPAD, and SUBSTR
* Direct-access I/O support--SET
* Additional numeric functions--ATAN, CHOP, COS, EXP, LN, SIN, SQRT,
TAN, X**Y for real Y
* Symbolic dump of array and table contents
* INCLUDE control statement to incorporate source library files
* Source line number and file name tracking for error messages
* Access tracing (activated on reference to variable)
* Selection feature (simple If/Then/Else, ``or'' function on
predicates)
* Assignment and pattern matching can occur within expressions
* Direct, simple access to keyboard/ display via TERMINAL variable
* Use of lower case permitted for keywords and other constructions
* Statement profiler for program optimization
System Requirements . . .
-------------------------
* MaxSPITBOL will run on all Macintosh computers except those with
a 64K ROM
* Minimum RAM required is 512K bytes
* System version 4.1 or above
* A hard disk is not required
MaxSPITBOL Price . . .
----------------------
* $195 plus air shipping ($6.50 48-state U.S.; $10 Alaska,
Hawaii, Canada; $30 U.K, Europe except France;
$35 Australia, Far East except Japan, New Zealand;
$40 France, Japan)
* Payment by check, money order, MasterCard, Visa or American
Express. Checks must be in U.S. funds, payable on a U.S. bank.
Other Products . . .
--------------------
* SPITBOL-68K for UNIX workstations such as Sun 2 & 3, Apollo 3000,
HP 350, NCR Tower, Unisys 5000, Definicon DSI-785, and WICAT
* SNOBOL4+ for all MS-DOS systems
* 32-bit, native mode SPITBOL for 80386 systems--Summer, 1989
* ProIcon--Macintosh standalone version of the Icon programming
langauge--May 15, 1989
* All SNOBOL4 books in print, including ``Algorithms in SNOBOL4''
by James Gimpel.
Catspaw, Inc., P.O. Box 1123, Salida, Colorado 81201 U.S.A.
Telephone: 719-539-3884
E-Mail: {uunet | allegra | noao}!arizona!cats!mark
or: emmer@arizona.edu
--------------------------------
submitted by:
-Bob Wier at Flagstaff, Arizona Northern Arizona University
...arizona!naucse!rrw | BITNET: WIER@NAUVAX | *usual disclaimers*
I have been a beta tester of MaxSPITBOL...