The LRLTRAN language as used in the FROST and FLOE time-sharing operating systems

Implementation of operating systems in high level languages is desirable when the responsibility for systems generation extends over a volatile configuration of dissimilar machines. The attendant advantages include rapid development, ease of conversion for new hardware, and self-documentation permitting more viable use of personnel.

The scope of a high level language capable of expressing a complex operating system should be broad enough to embrace an ability to deal with variable field length data, both in arrays and as tabled entries, a powerful decision-making capability and some ability to dictate efficient object code generation.

LRLTRAN provides these capabilities and others which, though of lesser significance, contribute to the ease of program development. This language has made it possible to produce the FROST and FLOE operating systems for the CDC-6600 and CDC-7600 computers, respectively, and to design and code an operating system for forthcoming hardware.