The syntax and semantics of the proposed international algebraic language of the Zurich ACM-GAMM Conference

This paper gives a tutorial summary of the syntax and interpretation rules of the proposed international algebraic language put forward by the Zurich ACM-GAMM Conference, followed by a formal, complete presentation of the same information. Notations are presented for numbers, numerical variables, Boolean variables, relations, n-dimensional arrays, functi ons, operator s and algebraic expre s sions. Means are provided in the language for specifying assignment of values to. variables, conditional execution of statements, iterative proce<i;ures, formation of compound statements from sequences of statements, definition of new statements for arbitrary procedures, reuse and alteration of program segments. The proposed language is intended to provide convenient and concise means for expressing virtually all procedures of numericaL computation while employing relatively few syntactical rules and statement types.