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IBM's APL2/PC

Vector 5:2, page 76

implementations conference reports

Transcribed from the printed issue; not yet reviewed. Read it in the PDF of the issue, page 76

IBM's APL2/PC

notes by Adrian Smith

One of the most visited rooms in the exhibition contained a solitary PS/2 model-80 running the 8514-A large monitor, and the US version of APL2/PC.

Photograph: a man in glasses and a dark suit types at an IBM PS/2 keyboard; the monitor shows an apple with “APL” across it, and an APL2/PC product box stands beside him

APL2/PC and the famous Apple.

I managed a mere half-hour on this very exciting APL. The 32-bit version responded happily with ⎕WA as 9797104 (i.e. lots) and proved rather fast and extremely robust. There are APs to do pretty well everything under the sun, and the whole lot is now available for £348 (or at least it would be if IBM would actually sell you one!)

The 16-bit version includes a packager, which really does hold the promise of free runtime!

P.S. If you can get your hands on the 8514-A display, it is really lovely.