From e3cdc11fd78b62bdf94b20d6e675bb668665c28d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paolo Amoroso Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2025 10:27:44 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] Add glossary entries, link Jargon File Add to the glossary the entries Break package, Briefing Blurb, Display, and Package. Link to the Jargon File. Signed-off-by: Paolo Amoroso --- content/en/history/glossary/_index.md | 14 ++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+) diff --git a/content/en/history/glossary/_index.md b/content/en/history/glossary/_index.md index c5f78bfb..764276e8 100644 --- a/content/en/history/glossary/_index.md +++ b/content/en/history/glossary/_index.md @@ -9,11 +9,19 @@ type: docs The names “Medley,” "Interlisp-D," “Interlisp.org,” “Common Lisp,” etc. are often used in confusing ways. We’re talking about a lot of different things that evolved over decades. These are cemented in by usage in different publications over time. We hope this glossary of terms will help. +For general computer terminology and lore see [The Hacker's Dictionary](https://www.dourish.com/goodies/jargon.html) aka Jargon File. + ## Vocabulary and relationships AltoLisp : An (unsuccessful) attempt to build a Lisp-based OS for running Interlisp on an Alto. +Break package +: The Interlisp subsystem that comprises the debugger (also known as break window) and other debugging facilities. Named after the `BREAK` function and breakpoints. + +Briefing Blurb +: Any one of the technical reports in a series that introduced Xerox PARC newcomers to the computing and network environment at the Computer Science Laboratory. Written in an upbeat style, their titles followed a pattern that included the expression "Briefing Blurb" such as *The Alto-Dolphin-Dorado Briefing Blurb: Exploring the Ethernet with Mouse and Keyboard* and *The Briefing Blurb: Exploring the Ethernet with Mouse and Keyboard*. + Carol, Fugue, Harmony, Intermezzo, Koto, Lyric, Medley : Named releases of Interlisp-D. All are obsolete except Medley. @@ -35,6 +43,9 @@ Starting with the Lyric release of Interlisp-D and then the Medley release, the Dfasl : A compiled form of Medley Interlisp files with the extension ".dfasl". +Display +: Denotes a program or system with a Graphical User Interface or a full screen character interface, as opposed to a line oriented interface like a teletype. In expressions like "display oriented editor" or "display editor". + DLISP : By Warren Teitelman: a first attempt at building a “Display” (GUI) with Interlisp running on MAXC (a PDP-10 clone) connected by Ethernet to a Xerox Alto acting as a graphics terminal. @@ -106,6 +117,9 @@ Maiko Sun Microsystems SPARC processor workstation, initially developed by Fuji Xerox. Subsequently ported to little-endian processors and other operating systems. +Package +: An Interlisp subsystem such as the break package (q.v.) or the window package (window system). Not to be confused with Common Lisp packages or packaged applications. + SDL : Structured Design Language. From cc79057b7cd97f7a391fb3483967685542be0a2d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paolo Amoroso Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2025 08:02:10 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Revise entries AltoLisp, Briefing Blurb, Package Signed-off-by: Paolo Amoroso --- content/en/history/glossary/_index.md | 9 ++++++--- 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/content/en/history/glossary/_index.md b/content/en/history/glossary/_index.md index 764276e8..d88c0ae8 100644 --- a/content/en/history/glossary/_index.md +++ b/content/en/history/glossary/_index.md @@ -14,13 +14,13 @@ For general computer terminology and lore see [The Hacker's Dictionary](https:// ## Vocabulary and relationships AltoLisp -: An (unsuccessful) attempt to build a Lisp-based OS for running Interlisp on an Alto. +: An experimental microcoded implementation of Interlisp on an Alto personal computer. Break package : The Interlisp subsystem that comprises the debugger (also known as break window) and other debugging facilities. Named after the `BREAK` function and breakpoints. Briefing Blurb -: Any one of the technical reports in a series that introduced Xerox PARC newcomers to the computing and network environment at the Computer Science Laboratory. Written in an upbeat style, their titles followed a pattern that included the expression "Briefing Blurb" such as *The Alto-Dolphin-Dorado Briefing Blurb: Exploring the Ethernet with Mouse and Keyboard* and *The Briefing Blurb: Exploring the Ethernet with Mouse and Keyboard*. +: One of the several documents that introduced Xerox PARC newcomers to the computing and network environment of the Computer Science Laboratory. Written in an upbeat style, their titles followed a pattern that included the expression "Briefing Blurb" such as *The Alto-Dolphin-Dorado Briefing Blurb: Exploring the Ethernet with Mouse and Keyboard* and *The Briefing Blurb: Exploring the Ethernet with Mouse and Keyboard*. Carol, Fugue, Harmony, Intermezzo, Koto, Lyric, Medley : Named releases of Interlisp-D. All are obsolete except Medley. @@ -118,7 +118,10 @@ Maiko Fuji Xerox. Subsequently ported to little-endian processors and other operating systems. Package -: An Interlisp subsystem such as the break package (q.v.) or the window package (window system). Not to be confused with Common Lisp packages or packaged applications. +: The term Package has several different meanings depending on the context: + +- Informally, a collection of utilities or submodule in Interlisp (the "break package", q.v.; the "file package", a facility for managing code changes; the "record package", a record data type; and so on) +- A feature of Commmon Lisp symbol support; the package system allows the combining of Interlisp symbols (written with `IL:` prefix) and Common Lisp symbols (written with a `LISP:` prefix). SDL : Structured Design Language.