Mathematical Software on the ARPA Network

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.





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