Constructing Programs from Example Computations

This paper describes the construction and implementation of an autoprogramming system. An autoprogrammer is an interactive computer programming system which automatically constructs computer programs from example computations executed by the user. The example calculations are done in a scratch pad fashion at a computer display, and the system stores a detailed history of all of the steps executed in the process. The system then automatically synthesizes the shortest possible program which is capable of executing the observed examples. Various sections of the report describe (1) the system, (2) its users, (3) the computational environment, (4) basic formalisms, (5) the program synthesis system, (6) convenience features, shortest possible and (7) programming details. (Author/DAG)