R. L. Becker, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts

The processor converts a standard binary-format tape into a

more compressed format, with two 12-bit words contained on

every three lines of tape. Checksums are punched at frequent

intervals, with each origin setting, or at least every 200

words.

The reader, which occupies locations 7421 to 7577 in the

memory will load a program which is punched in the compressed

format. A test for checksum error is made for each group

of 200 or less and the program will halt on error detection.

Only the most recent group of words need be reloaded.

Read-in time is about 10% less than for conventional binary

format, but the principal advantage is that little time is

lost when a checksum error is detected, no matter how long

the tape.