| Abstract: | The NAPSS (Numerical Analysis Problem Solving System) project was an attempt to develop an interactive system, with a high-level language resembling conventional mathematics, for solving problems in numerical analysis. This report uses NAPSS as an example to discuss some aspects of the design and implementation of the programming languages and software which comprise problem solving systems. Successful features as well as failures (with alternative proposals) are detailed in the areas of general language management, specific language features and the operating system interface. In general, a massive, coherent implementation of theoretical work being done at the frontiers of research has abundant opportunity for failure. |
