FORMAC

Abstract: naturally in a recent application of PM, where it was desired to find whether R has any multiple factors. Both pairs of polynomials turn out to be relatively prime. Using the old algorithm, the computation (1) required 0.64 seconds; using the new algorithm, it required 0.22 seconds. The advantage of the new algorithm increases rapidly with the complexity of the polynomials to which it is applied. I t did the computation (2) in 0.30 minutes, while the old algorithm required 21.11 minutes!

Abstract: The FORMAC (FORmula MAnipulation Compiler) programming system provides a powerful tool for performing mathematical analysis. It is an extension of FORTRAN IV which permits the use of the computer to perform the tedious algebraic computations that arise in many different fields. Among the areas in which it has been successfully used are: differentiation of complicated expressions; expansion of truncated power series, solution of simultaneous equations with literal coefficients, nonlinear maximum likelihood estimation, tensor analysis, and generation of the coefficients of equations in Keplerian motion. These types of analysis—which arose in the solution of specific practical problems in physics, engineering, astronomy, statistics and astronautics—are discussed in the paper.In addition to its usage for specific problem solutions, FORMAC can also be used to automate the analysis phase in certain production programming. Several such applications are presented.

Abstract: Parte 2: Consider ing the audience . / Considerando a la audiencia . p14 4Who is the aud ience (and wha t do they wan t)? / Qu ienes con forman la audienc ia (y que es lo que qu ieren)? p14 5Learn ing Sty les. / Est i los de aprend iza je . p15 6Levels of In format ion and modal i t ies . / N iveles de in formac ion y modal idades . p22 7Wri t ing Vis i tor-Fr iendly Labe ls / Escr ib iendo car te les amigables para los v is i tan ts . p29 8Se lec ting the r igh t read ing leve l / Se lecc ionando e l n ive l de lectura aprop iado. p33 9Bi l ingual labe ls . / Car te les bi l ingues. p35 10Labe ls the t ask ques t ions . / Car te les que hacen pregun tas . p36

Abstract: A nonlinear circuit analysis problem is stated and the way in which it was solved using FORMAC is indicated. The solution of the problem using FORMAC was notable since several other methods that were tried failed. The problem is straightforward (although untenable by hand) but nevertheless involved an elaborate use of the FORMAC language. The program was fairly large and utilized practically every command. In particular, it made extensive use of the PART command. Several tricks were necessary in order to circumvent some of the shortcomings of the FORMAC system.This paper is more concerned with the use of programming techniques in FORMAC than with the actual engineering problem, although readers may be interested in the problem because it is stated in a general (mathematical) sense and could be of interest in areas other than circuit analysis.