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1. FOREWORD
FORTH is an integrated programming approach and computer
language. FORTH was invented by Mr. Charles Moore specifically
to increase programmer productivity in the development of
computer related applications without sacrificing machine
efficiency. FORTH is a layered environment containing the
elements of a computer language as well as those of an operating
system and a machine monitor. This extensible, layered
environment provides for highly interactive program development
and testing.
In the interests of transportability of application software
written in FORTH, standardization efforts began in the mid-1970s
by the European FORTH User's Group (EFUG). This effort resulted
in the FORTH-77 Standard. As the language continued to evolve,
an interim FORTH-78 Standard was published by the FORTH Standards
Team. Following FORTH Standards Team meetings in 1979 the FORTH-
79 Standard was published in 1980.
The FORTH Standards Team is comprised of individuals who have a
great variety of experience and technical expertise with FORTH.
The FORTH Standards Team consists of both users and implementers.
Comments, proposals, and correspondence should be mailed to:
FORTH Standards Team, P.O. Box 4545, Mountain View, CA 94040 USA.
FORTH's extensibility allows the language to be expanded and
adapted to special needs and different hardware systems. A
programmer or vendor may choose to strictly adhere with the
standard, but the choice to deviate is acknowledged as beneficial
and sometimes necessary. If the standard does not explicitly
specify a requirement or restriction, a system or application may
utilize any choice without sacrificing compliance to the standard
provided that the system or application remains transportable and
obeys the other requirements of the standard.