The Executive Systems Problem Oriented Language (ESPOL) is a programming language, a superset of ALGOL 60, that provides abilities of what would later be termed a system programming language or machine oriented high order language (mohol), such as interrupting a processor on a multiprocessing system (the Burroughs large systems were multiprocessor systems). ESPOL was used to write the Master Control Program (MCP) on Burroughs computer systems from the B5000 to the B6700. The single-pass compiler for ESPOL could compile over 250 lines per second.
ESPOL was superseded by NEWP in the mid-to-late 1970s.
References
Bergeron, R. D.; et al. (December 15, 1972). "Language for Systems Development". In Rubinoff, Morris (ed.). Advances in Computers. Vol. 12. New York; London: Academic Press. p. 282. ISBN 978-0080566443. 978-0080566443 ↩
Staff (1966). B5500 ESPOL Reference Manual (PDF). Detroit, Michigan: Burroughs Corporation – via Computer History Museum. http://bitsavers.org/pdf/burroughs/LargeSystems/B5000_5500_5700/1032638_B5500_ESPOL_RefMan_196710.pdf ↩
Staff (January 1970). B6500 ESPOL Reference Manual (PDF). Detroit, Michigan: Burroughs Corporation – via Computer History Museum. http://bitsavers.org/pdf/burroughs/LargeSystems/B6500_6700/1042744_B6500_ESPOL_Jan70.pdf ↩
Staff (27 June 1972). B6700/B7700 Executive System Programming Language (ESPOL) Information Manual (PDF). Detroit, Michigan: Burroughs Corporation – via Computer History Museum. http://bitsavers.org/pdf/burroughs/LargeSystems/B6500_6700/5000094_B6700_ESPOL_Jun72.pdf ↩