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.

Description: APL is both a unique form of mathematical notation and a programming language. As a notation it has intrinsic appeal and gives rise to many elegant and ingenious definitions of mathematical concepts. As a programming Language, or system, it also provides the user with instant evaluation of these concepts. The combination is extremely powerful, and some interesting applications may be demonstrated with respect to annuities.

Description: This article summarizes the Retirement Systems Practice Area Advanced Technology Working Group Report. Formed to project developments in technology and their applications, the Advanced Technology Working Group’s goal was to improve all aspects of Society of Actuaries services for its members in the retirement systems practice area. Although the emphasis was on pension actuaries, many ideas are equally applicable to other areas.

Description: Article from The Actuary, June 1971 – volume 5 - Issue 6 is a recap of the LOMA Systems Forum held in New York, March 15-17, 1971.

Description: Article from The Actuary, January 1972 – volume 6 - Issue 1 that discusses the potential of APL as a basic actuarial programming language, particularly the applications involving ACT. ACT is a notational language for use in a time-sharing environment and consists of a comprehensive set of macro functions defined in APL.

Description: In the second half of 1997, magazine and newspaper reports started appearing in droves about the presumed doomsday of Jan. 1, 2000, for any and all activities associated with computers. This article discusses the 'Y2K problem' and the costs of addressing it.

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: 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: This article provides responses to a March 1981 query in The Actuary about the use of home computers.

Description: Book review of The Mathematical Sciences, A Collection of 22 Essays, by the National Research Council's Committee on Support of Research in the Mathematical Sciences.