Algol
a star of the second magnitude in the constellation Perseus: the first known and most famous eclipsing binary star.
a computer language in which information is expressed in algebraic notation and according to the rules of Boolean algebra.
Historical Examples
Pulling her out and reviving her caused so much confusion, it wasn’t until then that they discovered Algol had disappeared.
Collector’s Item Evelyn E. Smith
The most easterly one is β Persei, known as Algol, the famous variable.
A Field Book of the Stars William Tyler Olcott
It is for this reason that Algol varies in brightness in this period.
Astronomy for Young Folks Isabel Martin Lewis
Algenib and Algol form with γ Andromedæ, a right-angled triangle.
A Field Book of the Stars William Tyler Olcott
This dark star sometimes comes between Algol and the observer and cuts off the light.
Young Folks’ Library, Volume XI (of 20) Various
Mention has been made of a slight irregularity in Algol’s period of variation.
Pleasures of the telescope Garrett Serviss
Every third night Algol has its light reduced for several hours.
The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4) J. Arthur Thomson
Mr. Gore thinks that the companion of Algol may be a star of the sixth magnitude.
Astronomy of To-day Cecil G. Dolmage
Stars of this class are all very remote, and no attempt has as yet been made to ascertain the parallax of Algol.
The Astronomy of Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ Thomas Orchard
It was first supposed to be of the Algol type, with a period of about two days.
The Popular Science Monthly, October, 1900 Various
noun
the second brightest star in Perseus, the first known eclipsing binary. Visual magnitude: 2.2–3.5; period: 68.8 hours; spectral type (brighter component): B8V
noun
a computer programming language designed for mathematical and scientific purposes; a high-level language
Beta Persei, variable star in the constellation Perseus, late 14c., literally “the Demon,” from Arabic al-ghul “the demon” (see ghoul). It corresponds, in modern representations of the constellation, to the gorgon’s head Perseus is holding, but it probably was so called because it visibly varies in brightness every three days, which sets it apart from other bright stars. The computer language (1959) is a contraction of algo(rithmic) l(anguage); see algorithm.
ALGOL 60
Algorithmic-Oriented Language
Read Also:
- Algoid
like . Historical Examples The pelican nests are slight depressions in the sand, some of them softened with an algoid matting. The New North Agnes Deans Cameron Sometimes biciliated minute cells are found; without any doubt they are zoospores derived from any algoid or fungoid species. Scientific American Supplement, No. 385, May 19, 1883 Various […]
- Algol 58
algol 58 language An early version of ALGOL 60, originally known as “IAL”. Michigan Algorithm Decoder (MAD), developed in 1959, was based on IAL. [“Preliminary report – International Algebraic Language”, CACM 1(12):8, 1958]. [Details? Relationship to ALGOL 60?] (1999-12-10)
- Algol 60
algol 60 language ALGOrithmic Language 1960. A portable language for scientific computations. ALGOL 60 was small and elegant. It was block-structured, nested, recursive and free form. It was also the first language to be described in BNF. There were three lexical representations: hardware, reference, and publication. The only structured data types were arrays, but they […]
- Algol 60 modified
algol 60 modified language [“A Supplement to the ALGOL 60 Revised Report”, R.M. DeMorgan et al, Computer J 19(4):364]. [SIGPLAN Notices 12(1) 1977]. An erratum in [Computer J 21(3):282 (Aug 1978)] applies to both. (1995-01-25)
- Algol 68
algol 68 language An extensive revision of ALGOL 60 by Adriaan van Wijngaarden et al. ALGOL 68 was discussed from 1963 by Working Group 2.1 of IFIP. Its definition was accepted in December 1968. ALGOL 68 was the first, and still one of very few, programming languages for which a complete formal specification was created […]