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:* [https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=16498787938265067183&as_sdt=40000005&sciodt=0,22&hl=en citations of SMP paper]
:* [https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=16498787938265067183&as_sdt=40000005&sciodt=0,22&hl=en citations of SMP paper]
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'''Symbolic Manipulation Program''', usually called '''SMP''', was a [[computer algebra system]] designed by [[Chris A. Cole]] and [[Stephen Wolfram]] at [[Caltech]] circa 1979. It was initially developed in the Caltech physics department under Wolfram's leadership with contributions from [[Geoffrey C. Fox]], Jeffrey M. Greif, Eric D. Mjolsness, Larry J. Romans, Timothy Shaw, and Anthony E. Terrano. It was first sold commercially in 1981, by the Computer Mathematics Corporation of [[Los Angeles]], which later became part of [[Inference Corporation]]. Inference Corp further developed the program and marketed it commercially from 1983 to 1988. SMP was essentially Version Zero of the more ambitious [[Mathematica]] system.{{cn|date=March 2021}}
'''Symbolic Manipulation Program''', usually called '''SMP''', was a [[computer algebra system]] designed by [[Chris A. Cole]] and [[Stephen Wolfram]] at [[Caltech]] circa 1979. It was initially developed in the Caltech physics department under Wolfram's leadership with contributions from [[Geoffrey C. Fox]], Jeffrey M. Greif, Eric D. Mjolsness, Larry J. Romans, Timothy Shaw, and Anthony E. Terrano.
SMP was first sold commercially in 1981, by the Computer Mathematics Corporation of [[Los Angeles]], which later became part of [[Inference Corporation]]. Inference Corp further developed the program and marketed it commercially from 1983 to 1988, but Inference was unsuccessfull commercially with it and pessimistic about the market for symbolic math programs, and so abandoned SMP to concentrate on [[expert system]]s.<ref>"Computer maths: could do better", ''The Economist'' November 4, 1989, p. 103</ref>


SMP was influenced by the earlier computer algebra systems [[Macsyma]] (of which Wolfram was a user) and [[Schoonschip]] (whose code Wolfram studied).<ref>[http://www.ddj.com/184406157 "Is Cyberspace Dead?"] by [[Michael Swaine (technical author)|Michael Swaine]], July 01, 2005.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wolfram|first=Stephen|author-link=Stephen Wolfram |title=Tini Veltman (1931–2021): From Assembly Language to a Nobel Prize |url=https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2021/01/tini-veltman-1931-2021-from-assembly-language-to-a-nobel-prize/ |website=Wolfram Writings |date=21 January 2021}}</ref>
SMP was influenced by the earlier computer algebra systems [[Macsyma]] (of which Wolfram was a user) and [[Schoonschip]] (whose code Wolfram studied).<ref>[http://www.ddj.com/184406157 "Is Cyberspace Dead?"] by [[Michael Swaine (technical author)|Michael Swaine]], July 01, 2005.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wolfram|first=Stephen|author-link=Stephen Wolfram |title=Tini Veltman (1931–2021): From Assembly Language to a Nobel Prize |url=https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2021/01/tini-veltman-1931-2021-from-assembly-language-to-a-nobel-prize/ |website=Wolfram Writings |date=21 January 2021}}</ref>
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During the 1980s, it was one of of the generally available general-purpose computer algebra systems, along with [[Reduce (computer algebra system)|Reduce]], Macsyma, and [[Axiom (computer algebra system)|Scratchpad]],<ref>C. Wooff, D. Hodgkinson, ''muMATH: A microcomputer algebra system'', 1987, {{isbn|0127630708}}, p. 3</ref> and later [[muMATH]] and [[Maple (computer algebra system)|Maple]]. It was often used for teaching college calculus.<ref>Donald B. Small, John M. Hosack, "Computer Algebra Systems, Tools for Reforming Calculus Instruction", in ''Toward a Lean and Lively Calculus'', ''MAA Notes'' '''6''' (1986) p. 143</ref>
During the 1980s, it was one of of the generally available general-purpose computer algebra systems, along with [[Reduce (computer algebra system)|Reduce]], Macsyma, and [[Axiom (computer algebra system)|Scratchpad]],<ref>C. Wooff, D. Hodgkinson, ''muMATH: A microcomputer algebra system'', 1987, {{isbn|0127630708}}, p. 3</ref> and later [[muMATH]] and [[Maple (computer algebra system)|Maple]]. It was often used for teaching college calculus.<ref>Donald B. Small, John M. Hosack, "Computer Algebra Systems, Tools for Reforming Calculus Instruction", in ''Toward a Lean and Lively Calculus'', ''MAA Notes'' '''6''' (1986) p. 143</ref>

The design of SMP's interactive language and its "map" commands influenced the design of the 1984 version of [[Scratchpad (computer algebra system)|Scratchpad]].<ref>Richard D. Jenks, "A Primer: 11 Keys to New Scratchpad", ''EUROSAM 84'', ''Lecture Notes in Computer Science'' '''174''' {{isbn|354013350X}} p. 123-142</ref>


==Criticism==
==Criticism==

Revision as of 19:59, 13 March 2021

This article is about a specific software package. For symbolic computation in general, see Computer Algebra System.
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Symbolic Manipulation Program, usually called SMP, was a computer algebra system designed by Chris A. Cole and Stephen Wolfram at Caltech circa 1979. It was initially developed in the Caltech physics department under Wolfram's leadership with contributions from Geoffrey C. Fox, Jeffrey M. Greif, Eric D. Mjolsness, Larry J. Romans, Timothy Shaw, and Anthony E. Terrano.

SMP was first sold commercially in 1981, by the Computer Mathematics Corporation of Los Angeles, which later became part of Inference Corporation. Inference Corp further developed the program and marketed it commercially from 1983 to 1988, but Inference was unsuccessfull commercially with it and pessimistic about the market for symbolic math programs, and so abandoned SMP to concentrate on expert systems.[1]

SMP was influenced by the earlier computer algebra systems Macsyma (of which Wolfram was a user) and Schoonschip (whose code Wolfram studied).[2][3]

SMP follows a rule-based approach, giving it a "consistent, pattern-directed language". Unlike Macsyma and Reduce, it was written in C.[4]

During the 1980s, it was one of of the generally available general-purpose computer algebra systems, along with Reduce, Macsyma, and Scratchpad,[5] and later muMATH and Maple. It was often used for teaching college calculus.[6]

The design of SMP's interactive language and its "map" commands influenced the design of the 1984 version of Scratchpad.[7]

Criticism

SMP has been criticized for various characteristics, notably its use of floating-point numbers instead of exact rational numbers, which can lead to incorrect results.[8] Many other problems in early versions of the system were purportedly fixed in later versions.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Computer maths: could do better", The Economist November 4, 1989, p. 103
  2. ^ "Is Cyberspace Dead?" by Michael Swaine, July 01, 2005.
  3. ^ Wolfram, Stephen (21 January 2021). "Tini Veltman (1931–2021): From Assembly Language to a Nobel Prize". Wolfram Writings.
  4. ^ K.O. Geddes, S.R. Czapor, G. Labahn, Algorithms for Computer Algebra, 1992, ISBN 0792392590, p. 8-9
  5. ^ C. Wooff, D. Hodgkinson, muMATH: A microcomputer algebra system, 1987, ISBN 0127630708, p. 3
  6. ^ Donald B. Small, John M. Hosack, "Computer Algebra Systems, Tools for Reforming Calculus Instruction", in Toward a Lean and Lively Calculus, MAA Notes 6 (1986) p. 143
  7. ^ Richard D. Jenks, "A Primer: 11 Keys to New Scratchpad", EUROSAM 84, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 174 ISBN 354013350X p. 123-142
  8. ^ J.H. Davenport, Y. Siret, E. Tournier, Computer Algebra: Systems and algorithms for algebraic computation, 1988, ISBN 0122042301, p. 61, footnote
  9. ^ Richard J. Fateman, "Comments on SMP", ACM SIGSAM Bulletin 19:3:5-7 doi:10.1145/1089411.1089412

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