# HAL/S

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q667290](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q667290)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL/S)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hal-s

## Summary
HAL/S is a programming language designed for communicating instructions to a machine. It was developed by Intermetrics in 1978. The language was influenced by XPL, a dialect of the PL/I programming language.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Programming language.
- **Designed by:** Intermetrics.
- **Inception:** 1978.
- **Influenced by:** XPL.
- **Aliases:** A.
- **Related Language:** XPL (a dialect of PL/I designed for writing compilers, inception 1967).
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in 6 languages (German, English, French, Italian, Malay, Russian).

## FAQs
### Q: Who designed the HAL/S programming language?
A: HAL/S was designed by Intermetrics, a software company. It was developed in 1978.

### Q: What programming language influenced HAL/S?
A: HAL/S was influenced by XPL. XPL is a dialect of the PL/I programming language that was designed for writing compilers and was inceptioned in 1967.

### Q: What type of language is HAL/S?
A: HAL/S is a programming language used for communicating instructions to a machine.

## Why It Matters
HAL/S serves as a notable example of specialized programming language development in the late 1970s. Designed by Intermetrics, its creation in 1978 represents a specific evolution in computer science history where languages were tailored for distinct operational needs. Its direct influence from XPL—a dialect of PL/I created in 1967 for compiler writing—places it within a specific lineage of high-level languages derived from PL/I. This connection highlights the iterative nature of language design, where older tools (XPL) provide the architectural foundation for newer systems (HAL/S) to meet emerging technical requirements. Its documentation across six different languages on Wikipedia further indicates its recognized relevance in global computer science history.

## Notable For
- **Specific Lineage:** Distinguished by its direct influence from XPL, a PL/I dialect used for compilers.
- **Historical Origin:** Established in 1978 by the software firm Intermetrics.
- **Classification:** Categorized specifically as a language for communicating instructions to machines.
- **Naming:** Also referenced by the alias "A" in structured data.

## Body
### Origin and Design
HAL/S is classified as a programming language, defined as a language for communicating instructions to a machine. The language was inceptioned in 1978 and was designed by the entity Intermetrics.

### Technical Influences
The architecture and development of HAL/S were influenced by **XPL**.
*   **XPL** is identified as a dialect of the PL/I programming language.
*   XPL was designed specifically to be used in writing compilers.
*   XPL itself has an inception date of 1967.

### Identifiers and Data
*   **Logo:** A specific logo file is archived at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/HAL_S.png`.
*   **Freebase ID:** `/m/01nkh5`.
*   **Microsoft Academic ID:** 2777936210 (discontinued).
*   **Aliases:** The entity is also aliased as "A" in structured knowledge bases.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013