The table driven augmented programming environment: a general purpose user-oriented program for extending the capabilities of computer operating systems

Abstract : The Table Driven Augmented Programming Environment is a generalized program developed to significantly extend the capabilities of an existing multiprogramming computer system without interfering with its normal operation. The service of the Table Driven Augmented Programming Environment are available to a user at the same time the host computer system is engaged in its normal work load. These services allow the user to: (1) construct large programs from independently designed and implemented program modules maintained in a program library; (2) reference data in tables through an extensive data description facility; (3) disregard essentially any considerations of core storage space requirements through the use of an automatic software page turning facility; (4) temporarily bolt specified tables of data in core storage in order to operate on them with machine language instructions for higher efficiency; (5) treat all secondary storage as symbolically defined, random access files organized in a multi-level store; (6) communicate with the Table Driven Augmented Programming Environment in either a batched or interactive mode. The Table Driven Augmented Programming Environment can continue to be operated in the face of changing hardware configurations. Variations in the number and type of input/output communications devices, secondary storage devices, and the core storage can be accommodated for within wide limits. (Author)