Any Computer Science degrees or exp w/ SNOBOL4?

Silound · 11-12-2009, 08:07 PM

Working on the last of my degree, ran into a project that I have no idea how to go about solving.

It involves coding in SNOBOL4 and is related to an even older language, Algol-60.

Here's the problem in short...

Algol-60 can be extended to include co-routines. These operate by the resume statement, which allows control to be passed between co-routines, and a co-routine will resume from where it last left off.

I have to use SNOBOL4 to change a valid Algol-60 program with co-routines into a computationally equivalent Algol-60 program using nothing but procedures. What I know is that the BNF for a co-routine is identical to the BNF for an Algol-60 procedure except the word coroutine is used, and they are called by resume. Also, I know the most basic solution is probably recursive and no more than 400 lines in length (this was given to us as some food for thought).

There is a lot more, but that's the gist of it. I can always send a copy of the actual description to someone if necessary.

Anyway, I've at a total loss for how to do this project and it's driving me crazy. Anyone who has knowledge to contribute, I appreciate any and all thoughts.

markem · 11-12-2009, 08:09 PM

wow, snobol, algol, and backus-naur form all in one post. I'm having flashbacks to the late 70s.

Not good flashbacks, mind you.

Good luck with that problem. Bribe a TA.

11-12-2009, 08:07 PM	#1
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Any Computer Science degrees or exp w/ SNOBOL4? Working on the last of my degree, ran into a project that I have no idea how to go about solving. It involves coding in SNOBOL4 and is related to an even older language, Algol-60. Here's the problem in short... Algol-60 can be extended to include co-routines. These operate by the resume statement, which allows control to be passed between co-routines, and a co-routine will resume from where it last left off. I have to use SNOBOL4 to change a valid Algol-60 program with co-routines into a computationally equivalent Algol-60 program using nothing but procedures. What I know is that the BNF for a co-routine is identical to the BNF for an Algol-60 procedure except the word coroutine is used, and they are called by resume. Also, I know the most basic solution is probably recursive and no more than 400 lines in length (this was given to us as some food for thought). There is a lot more, but that's the gist of it. I can always send a copy of the actual description to someone if necessary. Anyway, I've at a total loss for how to do this project and it's driving me crazy. Anyone who has knowledge to contribute, I appreciate any and all thoughts. __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!

11-12-2009, 08:09 PM	#2
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,625 Trading: (47)	Re: Any Computer Science degrees or exp w/ SNOBOL4 wow, snobol, algol, and backus-naur form all in one post. I'm having flashbacks to the late 70s. Not good flashbacks, mind you. Good luck with that problem. Bribe a TA. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx