[cctalk] Re: Elliott Algol

Sid If it serves any purpose I could read the 5 track tape, I have a 5/6/8 hole sprocket drive reader - in Dorset, UK - and an 8 hole friction drive reader (perhaps kinder on tapes, but n/a in this instance). Martin -----Original Message----- From: Sid Jones via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org] Sent: 15 February 2025 14:52 To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> Cc: Sid Jones <jonesthechip(a)logicmagic.co.uk> Subject: [cctalk] Re: Elliott Algol IIRC, I have a copy of the Elliot 803 A-103 Algol compiler on a five-hole tape in a drawer somewhere in my untidy office... As used in UCNW Bangor, 1971-1974. Regards Sid -----Original Message----- From: Frank Leonhardt via cctalk Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2025 2:43 PM To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org Cc: Frank Leonhardt Subject: [cctalk] Elliott Algol As those of us with a few years will know, Tony Hoare (and Jill's) implementation of Algol 60 on the Elliott 803 was a highly significant event in the history of computer languages. It was the first practical commercial Algol compiler, launched block structures languages, and played a part in Elliott selling nearly 300 803B computers at a time when 300 computers was a big number. Obviously the US preferred Fortran and COBOL for commercial use, and there were other Algol compilers in some shape or other knocking about in universities. But I'd say this implementation put block structured programming into the mainstream. (And it was the first high level language I used, but that's beside the point). Now some kid on Wikipedia thinks it's not notable and is trying to delete it because he can't find much on it doing a Google search. Wikipedia may be sinking under activists and egos, but I think we need to put this misapprehension straight. Unfortunately we may be arguing with an idiot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_ALGOL If course, if anyone thinks it wasn't significant, that's an opinion too, but I'd like to hear why. Thanks, Frank.