# ALCOR

> computer language definition

**Wikidata**: [Q4652259](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4652259)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALCOR)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alcor

## Summary
ALCOR (ALgol COnverteR) is a computer programming language and a subset of ALGOL, defined in 1960. It was developed by the ALCOR Group (ALCOR-Gruppe), a consortium of manufacturers formed to construct an ALGOL machine following the ALGOL meeting in Copenhagen in 1958. It is recognized as one of the four true subsets of ALGOL identified by computer scientist Jean Sammet.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** ALgol COnverteR (ALCOR).
- **Classification:** A programming language; specifically a subset of the ALGOL programming language.
- **Inception:** 1960.
- **Developer:** The ALCOR Group (ALCOR-Gruppe).
- **Origin:** Defined after the ALGOL meeting in Copenhagen in 1958.
- **Purpose:** Created as part of an effort to build an ALGOL machine by a consortium of manufacturers.
- **Academic Recognition:** Cited as one of Sammet's "four true subsets of ALGOL."
- **Identifier:** Wikidata description lists it as a "computer language definition."
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0crht4.
- **Archival Record:** Documented in the History of Programming Languages (HOPL) archive.

## FAQs
### What is ALCOR?
ALCOR is a programming language defined in 1960 that functions as a subset of ALGOL. Its name is an acronym for "ALgol COnverteR."

### Who created ALCOR?
ALCOR was defined by the ALCOR Group (ALCOR-Gruppe), a consortium of manufacturers. This group formed specifically to build an ALGOL machine following the ALGOL conference in Copenhagen in 1958.

### How does ALCOR relate to ALGOL?
ALCOR is a "true subset" of ALGOL, meaning it is a specific variation or reduction of the ALGOL language. It is part of the broader ALGOL ecosystem and is technically classified as an instance of a programming language.

## Why It Matters
ALCOR represents a specific historical effort to standardize and implement ALGOL through hardware development. As one of the "four true subsets of ALGOL" identified by Jean Sammet, it highlights the early fragmentation and adaptation of high-level languages in the 1960s. The formation of the ALCOR Group demonstrates early industry collaboration among manufacturers to realize the capabilities of algorithmic languages directly through machine architecture. Its existence underscores the practical challenges of implementing the full ALGOL standard in early computing hardware, leading to defined subsets for specific engineering goals.

## Notable For
- **Being a True Subset:** It is one of the four "true subsets" of ALGOL identified by Jean Sammet, distinguishing it from other dialects or unrelated languages.
- **Hardware Focus:** Unlike purely software-based language definitions, ALCOR was driven by a consortium dedicated to building a physical ALGOL machine.
- **Early Consortium:** The ALCOR Group (ALCOR-Gruppe) was an early example of a manufacturer consortium formed to standardize computer language implementation.
- **Historical Documentation:** Its definition is preserved in the History of Programming Languages (HOPL) archive, indicating its relevance to the evolution of computer science.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
ALCOR is a programming language classified as an instance of a "computer language definition." As a member of the broad class of programming languages, it serves as a formal language for communicating instructions to a machine. Specifically, it is a **subclass of computer language** and functions as a **subset of ALGOL**. The name itself is an acronym derived from "ALgol COnverteR."

### History and Development
The inception of ALCOR is dated to **1960**. Its development traces back to the **ALGOL meeting in Copenhagen in 1958**. Following this meeting, the **ALCOR Group (ALCOR-Gruppe)** was formed. This entity was a **consortium of manufacturers** with the specific objective of building an **ALGOL machine**.

### Technical Context
In the context of programming language theory, ALCOR is significant as a specific implementation subset. It shares the fundamental components of programming languages, such as syntax and execution models, but is distinct for being tailored to the specific hardware goals of the ALCOR Group.

### Academic and Archival Records
ALCOR is documented in academic and encyclopedic sources.
- **Wikidata:** It is listed with the description "computer language definition."
- **Freebase:** Mapped to the ID `/m/0crht4`.
- **HOPL Archive:** An archival record exists at `https://web.archive.org/web/20080821024007/http://hopl.murdoch.edu.au/showlanguage.prx?exp=360`. This record notes its status as one of Sammet's four true subsets and details the involvement of the ALCOR Group.