The diagnosis of mistakes in programmes on the EDSAC

This paper describes methods developed at the Cambridge University Mathematical Laboratory for the speedy diagnosis of mistakes in programmes for an automatic high-speed digital computer. The aim of these methods is to avoid undue wastage, of machine time, and a principal feature is the provision, of several standard routines which may be used in conjunction with faulty programmes to check the operation of the latter. Two of these routines are considered in detail, and the others are briefly described.