Manual - CSIRAC Computer, Programming, First, University of Melbourne, 1956

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Summary:: Programming Manual for the Automatic Electronic Computer, CSIRAC, August 1956.

The manual was produced to guide expert users of CSIRAC in programming the machine.

The manual was produced by the staff of the Computation Laboratory of the University of Melbourne and based on material by Trevor Pearcey and Maston Beard

The manual provides a detailed description of how to program CSIRAC. The Introduction includes some explanation of what is meant by programming:
"To 'programme the calculation' means to draw up a list of commands, each of which calls on an operation that the machine can perform and which together will do what is required. For this purpose the programmer will need to know which commands the machine can perform and how to organize these operations into a complete programme. It is sometime helpful, but not necessary, to understand the physical details of machine prganization ...
In many programmes, most of the commands are copied from previously tested programmes, which have been organized into a 'library' of routines."
Acquisition Information:: Donation from University of Melbourne (The) Computer Science & Software Engineering Department

Discipline:

Technology

Tagged with:	computing, csirac computer, first generation computers, mainframe computers
Themes this item is part of:	CSIRAC - a woman programmer's view, Computing Departments at the University of Melbourne, a brief history 1956-1996, Introduction to the CSIRAC Programming Manual, Jun 1958, Information & Communication Collection, CSIRAC Collection, Trevor Pearcey, Computer Engineer & CSIRAC Specialist (1919-1998), Trevor Pearcey, 1919 - 1998: a brief biography, Trevor Pearcey & the First Australian Computer: A Lost Opportunity?, Trevor Pearcey & the First Australian Computer: A Lost Opportunity?
Primary Classification:	COMPUTING & CALCULATING
Secondary Classification:	Digital Computing
Tertiary Classification:	manuals
User:	University of Melbourne (The), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1956
Author:	Geoff Hill - The University of Melbourne Computation Laboratory, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 1960 The manual was produced by the staff of the Computation Laboratory, based on papers by T. Pearcey and G.W. Hill.
Author:	Dr Trevor Pearcey, Mount Eliza, Victoria, Australia, 1956 The manual was produced by the staff of the Computation Laboratory, based on papers by T. Pearcey and G.W. Hill.