Hospital Computer Project

This document, "Hospital Computer Project: Memorandum Number Six-E, Programming Software Status Report," details the programming software developed by Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. for the Hospital Computer System, a joint research effort with Massachusetts General Hospital. The report describes the system's on-line Programming System, which comprises four main programs: Midas (a macro-assembler), Editor (a symbolic text editor), DDT (a debugging and control program), and Handle (a file manipulation program).

The document is organized into several chapters, each focusing on a specific component of the programming system:

• Chapter I: The Midas Assembly System: This chapter provides a comprehensive description of the Midas assembly language, including its source language, assembly program structure, symbol definition, expression usage, and source program format. It details Midas's macro-instruction capabilities, pseudo-instructions, and the operational aspects of the assembly system, along with error checking.
• Chapter II: Editor: This section describes the on-line text editor used for preparing symbolic programs.
• Chapter III: DDT: This chapter explains the debugging and control program, its functions in checking and correcting programs, and its role in controlling the execution of other system programs.
• Chapter IV: Handle: This final chapter describes the Handle program, its functions, commands, and the file organization of the entire programming system.

The report also includes appendices that cover the Midas character set, symbols in the permanent Midas vocabulary, and Teletype code conversion, providing essential reference material for users of the system. The document serves as a technical guide to the programming software developed for the collaborative hospital computer project.