Mathematical Software on the ARPA Network
A proposal to make mathematical software libraries available as a shared network resource.
McDaniel, L., "Mathematical Software on the ARPA Network", RFC 382, DOI 10.17487/RFC0382, August 1972, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc382>.
@misc{rfc382,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 382,
howpublished = {RFC 382},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0382},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc382},
author = {L. McDaniel},
title = {{Mathematical Software on the ARPA Network}},
pagetotal = 1,
year = 1972,
month = aug,
} RFC text
NIC 11122 Lawrence McDaniel
NWG/RFC 382 Center for Advanced
Computation
University of Illinois
August 3, 1972
MATHEMATICAL SOFTWARE ON THE ARPA NETWORK
There have been several efforts in the past few years to develop high
quality libraries of mathematical and statistical subroutines. Some
of the projects mentioned in the literature include:
1. The Bell Laboratories numerical mathematics program library project.
2. IMSL Inc.: IMSL Library I, mathematical-statistical computer
subroutines
3. The NATS (National Science Foundation,Argonne Laboratories, Stanford
and Texas) joint project on the Wilkinson linear algebra routines.
The ARPA Network could further enhance the desirability of such libraries
as they would become another sharable network resource. Although the
diversity of network computing no doubt requires an equally diverse set
of mathematical software, and in spite of the fact everyone has their
own software hangups - not to mention hardware!, it seems everyone
could benefit from some type of information interchange regarding mathe-
matical software of interest.
In particular I would welcome any information on your experiences with
mathematical and statistical libraries, especially regarding those
mentioned above.
We do plan on obtaining the NATS library and with the project's cooperation,
intend to make it available on several Network IBM/360-370's and PDP-10's.
Those interested should send me a message via NIC (ident LM) or get in
touch with me at (217) 333-8497.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
[ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the ]
[ direction of Alex McKenzie. 1/97 ]
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§1The Opportunity
Lawrence McDaniel of the University of Illinois notes that several organizations had developed high-quality libraries of mathematical and statistical subroutines. The Bell Laboratories had a numerical mathematics program library, IMSL Inc. offered their IMSL Library I, and a joint project between the National Science Foundation, Argonne Laboratories, Stanford and Texas had developed the Wilkinson linear algebra routines under the NATS project.
Several big institutions have built libraries of math tools. Bell Labs, IMSL, and Stanford-Argonne each made ones.
§2Sharing Libraries Over the Network
The memo argues that the ARPANET could enhance the value of these libraries as a sharable network resource. Although different sites have different mathematical software needs and personal software preferences, everyone could benefit from information exchange about mathematical software of interest.
The network could let researchers use each other's math tools. Even though every place has its own favorites, sharing would help everyone.
§3The University of Illinois Plan
McDaniel indicates that the University of Illinois planned to obtain the NATS library and, with the project's cooperation, intended to make it available on several network IBM/360-370 and PDP-10 computers. Interested parties could contact Lawrence McDaniel via the NIC (identifier LM) or by telephone at (217) 333-8497.
The University of Illinois wants to get the NATS math library and put it on computers people can reach over the network. They invited others to join.