Burroughs MCP

The MCP ( Master Control Program ) is the proprietary operating system of the Burroughs Large Systems, included the Unisys-ClearPath/MCP-Systeme.

Originally programmed in 1961 in ESPOL ( Executive Systems Programming Oriented Language ), which is an extension of Burroughs Extended ALGOL itself, it was converted in the 1970s after NEWP: One more structured, more robust and more secure form of ESPOL.

The MCP is historically relevant as follows: It was the first operating system that could manage multiple processors; the first commercial implementation from virtual memory; the first operating system that has been exclusively written in a high level language.

MCP in Tron

In the feature film Tron, which inhabits the inner world of a computer system with living protagonists representing the programs is a MCP of despotic rulers of this world of computers. The top-level control software, it is likely inspired by the Burroughs product. In the film, it is removed from power by a human programmer who is sucked into the inner world of the computer, so that again a freer handling is enabled.

  • Operating system
  • System Software
Burroughs Corporation Executive Systems Problem Oriented Language
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