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ALGOL was formulated in Zurich in 1958, and this paper explores some of the reasons why this happened in Zurich and not in the USA. One factor may have been that the first computer on the continent, the Z4, was installed in Zurich in 1950. This computer was built by Zuse during the Second World War. It used relays for its arithmetic and control units, but it had a mechanical memory. Though the machine had limited capabilities, it provided valuable programming experience to a number of researchers, in particular to Stiefel, Rutishauser and Speiser at the ETH Zurich. Already in 1952, Rutishauser formulated a higher programming construct, a counted loop, and he also indicated how to convert mathematical expressions into machine language. We also should mention that Bauer, who was influenced by Rutishauser, also developed a method to implement mathematical expressions, but he used computer hardware for the task. The two started to collaborate, and they formulated a preliminary language in 1957. This language was then formalized at a ACM/GAMM meeting in Zurich under the name International Algebraic Language, or IAL, a language later renamed ALGOL 58. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

SUMMARY A prospective study of chronic bronchitis started in 1959 using a sample of 1,136 men, who are seen every 6 months. The data have been stored on magnetic tape using the Atlas computer; the Algol computer language has been used to give easy retrieval of the information when required for analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on the algorithm AS 31 for binomial sequential sampling, written in the algorithmic language, Algol 60. Description and purpose; Structure; Accuracy.

Provides information on the AS 23 algorithm for calculating effects and interactions for a factorial layout, translated in the programming language Algol 60. Difference between the AS 23 and AS 22 algorithms; Formal parameters of AS 23; Purpose.

Describes the Algol procedure, Maxlicens which is designed to obtain the maximum likelihood estimates of the mean and standard deviation from a Normal sample. Approximations to their variances and covariances; Structure of the Maxlicens procedure.

Provides information on the algorithm AS 29 for the runs up and down test written in the algorithmic language, Algol 60. Description and purpose; Structure; Restrictions.

Examines the AS 2 algorithm translated into the programming language Algol. Comparison between algorithms AS 2 and ACM 304; Suggestions on changes in the AS 2 algorithm.

Describes a method and an algorithmic language procedure for generating random permutations. Integers to be permuted.