Description: This is a summary of a more extensive paper on the question of a programming language. This article discusses the trend to develop computer languages for the subject-matter specialist instead of for the professional programmer or computing machinery.

Description: Comments on the article “Developing an Actuarial Programming Language” by Russell J. Mueller in the April newsletter in which it was suggested that “a study should be undertaken to determine the feasibility of developing” such a language. In this connection, the author feels it to be appropriate to draw attention to some practical considerations which should form part of such a study.

Description: In January 1936, William Phillips, a London actuary, presented a paper to the Institute in which he recommended a methodology to allow life insurance companies to automate their actuarial calculations. This article discusses Phillps' work in this area.

Description: The author, from the United Kingdom, as a member of the Institute’s working group that devised LAN, the Linear Actuarial Notation. The author notes this article is a supplement to The actuary’s ‘IAN, LAN & CAN’ article in the November 1980 issue. The article discusses this actuarial notation system, designed for use in the computer age.

Description: The author notes: ‘as actuaries familiar with computers are thoroughly aware, the Halo notation the century-old life contingencies system we all learned as students has to be “linearized” strung out in a straight line for computer programming.’ This article describes a linearized notation that the author has used successfully for several years, for programming use only.