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Teaching Conversations with the XDS Sigma 7. Systems Description.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Teaching Conversations with the XDS Sigma 7. Systems Description.
Authors: Bork, Alfred M., Mosmann, Charles, California Univ., Irvine. Physics Computer Development Project.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 25
Publication Date: 1971
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.
Descriptors: Computational Linguistics, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Programs, Program Descriptions, Programed Instruction, Programing, Programing Languages, Programing Problems
Abstract: Some computers permit conventional programing languages to be extended by the use of macro-instructions, a sophisticated programing tool which is especially useful in writing instructional dialogs. Macro-instructions (or "macro's") are complex commands defined in terms of the machine language or other macro-instructions. Like terms in higher-order languages they can expand to a variable number of actual machine instructions. The system described here is based on the use of the macro-assembler of the Sigma-7 computer, called Metasymbol. Metasymbol allows for the use of machine language, the definition and use of macro-instructions, and the inclusion of FORTRAN subroutines. This system allows the teacher considerable flexibility in composing instructional dialogs. Specifics of programing are discussed, and an example computer run given. (RB)
Entry Date: 1972
Accession Number: ED060628
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Some computers permit conventional programing languages to be extended by the use of macro-instructions, a sophisticated programing tool which is especially useful in writing instructional dialogs. Macro-instructions (or "macro's") are complex commands defined in terms of the machine language or other macro-instructions. Like terms in higher-order languages they can expand to a variable number of actual machine instructions. The system described here is based on the use of the macro-assembler of the Sigma-7 computer, called Metasymbol. Metasymbol allows for the use of machine language, the definition and use of macro-instructions, and the inclusion of FORTRAN subroutines. This system allows the teacher considerable flexibility in composing instructional dialogs. Specifics of programing are discussed, and an example computer run given. (RB)