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MUMPS FAQ Creation
http://mumpster.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13
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Author:  icekat [ Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  MUMPS FAQ Creation

There has been some discussion that we need a FAQ about MUMPS, in part to assist people new to MUMPS, and in part to dispel misconceptions about MUMPS. I'm a "words" person, and I'm happy to write up a FAQ for us, but I need everyone's help putting together the content. If you have ideas for what should be included, please post them here!

Thanks,

Kathy

Author:  mmendelson7 [ Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

Hi Kathy,

I propose that one FAQ should be, "Why do some people denigrate MUMPS so viciously?

I don't know the answer, but perhaps some other Mumpster does.

Marty

Author:  toad [ Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

One question should be "What does the acronym MUMPS stand for?"

Another should be "Is the name of the language M or MUMPS? How many different names does this thing have?"

Author:  icekat [ Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

What does MUMPS stand for?

MUMPS stands for Massachusetts Utility Multi-Programming System. “Massachusetts” because it was initially developed at Massachusetts General Hospital. It quickly spread beyond Massachusetts, but developers retained the name because they liked the acronym.

Author:  toad [ Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

Here are URLs to a two-part MUMPS FAQ developed by a team of Mumpsters over the years. We have permission to import it wholesale:

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/m-technology-faq/part1/

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/m-technology-faq/part2/

Author:  toad [ Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

Some of the information in that FAQ needs to be updated, which we can do after we import it. We can use this thread to work through the items in need of correction.

Author:  mmendelson7 [ Thu Nov 11, 2010 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

Sorry icecat, but it's Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming
System. For years Octo Barnett denied that it was chosen to achieve the acronym; but I believe that more recently he recanted and admitted to the intention.

Author:  icekat [ Mon Nov 15, 2010 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

What does MUMPS stand for?

MUMPS stands for Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System. It quickly spread beyond Massachusetts, but developers retained the name because they liked the acronym.

Author:  icekat [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 9:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

Wait, is the language called MUMPS or M? Why can't you make up your minds?

MUMPS was the original name of the language. During the 1990s there was a move to modernize the name, changing it from MUMPS to M. Some in the community thought this was a great idea. Some thought it was a terrible idea. The debate continues to this day.

The name has been officially changed to M, but many people still prefer the old name. Sometimes the language is listed as M[UMPS], to include both possibilities.

Author:  whitten [ Tue Nov 23, 2010 11:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: MUMPS FAQ Creation

[quote="icekat"][i]Wait, is the language called MUMPS or M? Why can't you make up your minds?[/i]

MUMPS was the original name of the language. During the 1990s there was a move to modernize the name, changing it from MUMPS to M. Some in the community thought this was a great idea. Some thought it was a terrible idea. The debate continues to this day.

The name has been officially changed to M, but many people still prefer the old name. Sometimes the language is listed as M[UMPS], to include both possibilities.[/quote]


It might be useful to explain why M[UMPS] includes both possibilities, since typing letters like: [optional-something] is not a way of writing that many new programmers have ever seen.

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