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computer algebra systems are mentioned in a sf novel

• To: mathgroup at yoda.physics.unc.edu
• Subject: computer algebra systems are mentioned in a sf novel
• From: gaylord at ux1.cso.uiuc.edu
• Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1992 07:09:40 -0500

from p. 72 of a new science fiction novel "The Turing Option" by Harry
Harrison (famous sf writer) and Marvin Minsky (former director of MIT's
Artificial Intelligence Lab and a leading authority on AI).

note: this dialogue takes place in the year 2023.

"...different computer languages are used for different purposes.....
FORTRAN has been used for fifty years bacause it is especially good for
routine scientific calculations, though it now has been replaced by
formula-understanding Symbolic Manipulation systems."

richard j. gaylord, university of illinois, gaylord at ux1.cso.uiuc.edu

"if you're not programming functionally, then you must be programming
dysfunctionally"