Decus Proceedings

Summary This document contains the collected papers and presentations from the Fall 1965 Symposium of the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society (DECUS), held at Stanford University on November 29, 1965.

The proceedings cover a variety of topics related to the use of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) computers in scientific, research, and industrial environments during that era. Key papers include:

• Simulation and Display: Development of "GRASP" for the PDP-1 to facilitate graphical simulation and interaction, and "PARAMET," a program for the visual investigation of parametric equations on the PDP-1.
• Accelerator Control: Methods for using the PDP-5 for direct digital control of particle accelerators at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory.
• Hybrid Computing: Current trends in hybrid computer software (SPOUSE, MAID, TAOIST, FOCHUS) and its role in simulation.
• Data Acquisition: Use of the PDP-4 for spiral reader control in bubble chamber physics, and the application of the PDP-7 for on-line nuclear physics data reduction.
• Biomedical Research: The application of the LINC computer in operant conditioning studies.
• System Development: Discussions on assembly languages (A.L.I.C.S. for PDP-5/8) and advancements in the DECAL compiler.
• Time-Sharing and Communications: The use of PDP-5s for message switching in management science research, and an overview of the PDP-6 time-sharing system.
• Laboratory Automation: Computer-assisted instruction and laboratory management at the University of Pittsburgh using the PDP-7, and a data acquisition system for submarine weapon evaluation using the PDP-8.

The document also includes a preface by the meeting chairman, an author/speaker index, and an attendance list for the symposium.