A language for describing the functions of synchronous systems

Before the design of a system is started, the exact function desired of it should be specified. It is suggested that a computer-oriented language be used for this purpose. The inadequacies of the standard programming languages for the description of systems are discussed, and a dialect of ALGOL which is suitable for describing synchronous systems is introduced. These descriptions can be used for simulation and automatic design of the system described, in addition to communicating system specifications.