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Transcriber's preface
Alan Turing's Manual for the Ferranti Mk. I
Alan M. Turing
Transcribed by Robert S. Thau
Transcriber's preface
A note on the machine Turing was describing
A few words on the historical context
Notes on the transcription
[Author's] Preface
General Remarks on Electronic Computers
Scales of notation
The Forms of Storage Used
Description of the Reduced Machine
Examples of programmes on the reduced machine.
MULREP listing
Check sheets
[SUMPGA listing]
[SUMPGA check sheet]
Exercise
The multiplier and the double length accumulator
The logical operations
Example of use of `
'
Example for reader
The B-tube.
SUMPGB
Exercise
Miscellaneous special functions
Dummy stops
The hooter
The hand switches
The position of the most significant digit
The random numbers generator
The clock
The sixty-fifth lines
[Relative branches]
The time occupied by various operations
The magnetic wheel
The input and output mechanisms
[Examples]
Examples of magnetic instructions
Exercises
[Library input routines]
Warning character J
Warning character K
Warning character Z
Warning character Q
Warning character
"
Warning character X
[Input routine timing]
Tape handling equipment
The console
Starting the machine
Conventions
The permanent information PERM. The routine changing sequence
Restricted use of electronic stores. Normal duties of pages.
B-tube conventions
Conventions regarding the use of magnetic storage
The formal mode of operation
Replacability conventions
Programming Principles
(i) Make a plan
(ii) Break the problem down
(iii) Do the programming of the new subroutines
(iv) Programme the main routine
Programming hints
Manoevring space
Do programming directly in teleprint code
Counting procedure
Discrimination by control transfer
The B-tube as shunting station
Omission of counting
Alternative entry
Changing sign in the accumulator
Twenty-digit numbers
Clearing the accumulator
Electronic space economy measures
Duplication of use of lines
Sandwiching
Positioning of dummy stops
Relative control transfers
Inaccurate numbers
Changeling instructions
Wholesale reciprocals
Tchebysheff polynomials
The official account of a routine
Tapes
Writing tapes
Job-steering tapes
Directories
Checking procedures
Measures concerning machine breakdown
Measures against intermittent error
Measures against wrong programmes
Measures against routines wrong in magnetic tracks
Measures against finger trouble
Brief reminders
Appendix -- The Pilot Machine
(Manchester Computer Mark I)
Magnetic instructions on the pilot machine
Times on the pilot machine
Input and Output on pilot machine
Programming on the pilot machine
Normal duties of tubes. PERM. Routine changing sequence.
[Standard routines for the pilot machine]
INPUT
OUT, OUTPG, OUTB
Mathematical functions LOGSLOW, SINAPP, EXAPP, RECIP, RECROOT
DBTEMP and BDTEMP
Testing routines
Problems tackled
Reliability of the pilot machine
Figures
Fig. A -- Powers of 10
Fig. B -- Binary-Decimal Conversion Table
Fig. C -- Multiplication table
Fig. D -- Addition table
Fig. H -- Multiplication by powers of 2
Fig. E -- Table of function symbols
Fig. F -- PERM and the Routine Changing Sequence
Fig. G -- Summary
Fig. G (Summary), cont.
Fig. G (Summary), cont.
About this document ...
Robert S. Thau 2000-02-13