The Heap: Structured Languages

This document, Volume 6, Number 1 of "The Heap" (formerly the Structured Languages SIG Newsletter, May 1983), serves as an introductory issue under its new editor, John R. Barr, after a period of inactivity.

Key points of the document include:

• Revitalization and Call for Submissions: The editor announces the newsletter's return with a new schedule (four issues per year, timed around DECUS Symposia) and makes a strong plea for member contributions, feedback, and ideas to make the newsletter valuable.
• Newsletter Renaming & Collaboration: The newsletter is officially named "The Heap," with the next issue planning collaboration with the MUMPS SIG newsletter ("The Tree"). A new slogan and contributor incentives are mentioned.
• SIG Direction and Renaming: The SIG Chairman, James W. Livingston, Jr., outlines a clearer mission for the SIG: to influence Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in new product development and existing product maintenance. He proposes renaming the "Structured Languages SIG" to the "Languages and Tools SIG" (LTSIG) to reflect a broader interest in software development tools, including UNIX.
• Call for Volunteers: The document actively seeks volunteers for "Interest Area Coordinators" across Operating Systems (Large Systems, RSTS, RSX-11M/IAS, RT-11/TSX, UNIX, VAX/VMS), Languages (Ada, BLISS, C, FORTRAN, Modula, Pascal, PL/I), and Environments (Ada, Software Tools VOS, VNX).
• Technical Content: Includes examples of "Interesting Structured(?) Software" such as a C-language filter for FORTRAN output and a Pascal program for extracting files from magnetic tape on Unix. It also provides an update on the NBS Pascal compiler, including a bug fix for heap allocation.
• Symposia News: Details the upcoming DECUS Symposium in St. Louis (May 23-27, 1983), providing a partial agenda for Structured Languages SIG presentations and activities. A need for a Symposia Coordinator is highlighted.
• Wishlist and Questionnaire: A significant portion of the document is dedicated to a "Structured Languages SIG Wishlist." This includes:
  • DEC-Directed Menu Items: Specific requests to DEC regarding consistent language support, cross-compilers, debugging tools, standard C/Pascal/Ada/Modula 2 support across various DEC platforms (VAX, PDP, LSI-11, personal computers).
  • SIG-Directed Menu Items: Goals for the SIG itself, such as providing feedback to DEC, developing standards, publishing information, source code management, compiler development, benchmarks, portability, and libraries.
  • A questionnaire is provided for members to formally submit their preferences on languages, operating systems, CPU usage, installation purpose, and open suggestions for future wishlist items. The results are intended to be presented to DEC.

The newsletter emphasizes active member participation through submissions, volunteering, and providing feedback on the wishlist to shape the SIG's future and influence DEC's product strategy.