# SYMPL

> obsolete programming language for use on the CDC 6000 series computer systems

**Wikidata**: [Q7395256](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7395256)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SYMPL)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sympl

## Summary
SYMPL is an obsolete programming language designed specifically for use on CDC 6000 series computer systems. It is classified as an imperative, procedural, and structured programming language. The language is currently considered historical and is no longer in widespread use.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: SYMPL is identified as a programming language.
- **Hardware Dependency**: It was developed for use on the CDC 6000 series computer systems.
- **Status**: The language is explicitly described as obsolete.
- **Programming Paradigms**: It supports imperative, procedural, and structured programming.
- **Encodings**: It has a defined FOLDOC ID (SYMPL) and Freebase ID (/m/0c_knm).
- **Wikipedia Presence**: The language has a limited Wikipedia footprint, with entries in only two languages (English and Persian) and a total sitelink count of 2.
- **Academic Record**: It was tracked by Microsoft Academic under the ID 2780256693 (service now discontinued).

## FAQs
### Q: What type of computer systems was SYMPL designed for?
A: SYMPL was designed exclusively for the CDC 6000 series computer systems, a family of mainframe computers.

### Q: Is SYMPL still used in modern software development?
A: No, SYMPL is considered an obsolete programming language and is no longer in active use.

### Q: What programming style does SYMPL utilize?
A: SYMPL is a multi-paradigm language that employs imperative, procedural, and structured programming techniques.

## Why It Matters
SYMPL serves as a specific example of the software ecosystem that surrounded the Control Data Corporation (CDC) 6000 series architecture. While the language is now obsolete, its existence highlights the historical diversity of programming tools developed for specific mainframe hardware during the mid-to-late 20th century. Unlike modern general-purpose languages that aim for hardware agnosticism, SYMPL represents an era where languages were often tightly coupled with the underlying architecture of supercomputers and mainframes.

Its design incorporates structured and procedural paradigms, reflecting the evolution of programming practices away from unstructured spaghetti code toward more disciplined methodologies during that era. For historians of computing and software archaeologists, SYMPL is a data point in the trajectory of high-level language design, specifically within the niche of CDC hardware. Its classification as "obsolete" underscores the rapid turnover in computer science tools and the shift toward more versatile, platform-independent languages.

## Notable For
- **Hardware Specificity**: Being explicitly tailored for the CDC 6000 series computer systems.
- **Paradigm Combination**: Utilizing a blend of imperative, procedural, and structured programming methodologies.
- **Historical Status**: Being defined as an obsolete entity in major knowledge bases like Wikidata and FOLDOC.
- **Limited Localization**: Having a notably small digital footprint, with Wikipedia entries existing in only two languages (English and Persian).

## Body

### Definition and Scope
SYMPL is a high-level programming language categorized within the field of computer science as an imperative and procedural language. Its primary designation is that of an "obsolete programming language," indicating that it is no longer maintained, standardized, or widely utilized in modern computing environments.

### Target Architecture
The utility of SYMPL was restricted to the CDC 6000 series computer systems. This series was a family of 60-bit mainframe computers manufactured by Control Data Corporation. The language served as a tool for communicating instructions specifically optimized for this hardware environment.

### Technical Characteristics
According to its structured properties, SYMPL aligns with three specific programming paradigms:
*   **Imperative Programming**: Uses statements that change a program's state.
*   **Procedural Programming**: Based on the concept of procedure calls.
*   **Structured Programming**: Utilizes control structures like loops and conditionals rather than simple jumps.

### Knowledge Base Identifiers
SYMPL is indexed in several semantic web and database collections:
*   **Wikidata**: Described as an obsolete language for CDC systems.
*   **FOLDOC (Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing)**: Indexed under the ID "SYMPL."
*   **Freebase**: Archived under the identifier `/m/0c_knm`.
*   **Microsoft Academic**: Previously tracked under ID 2780256693.