AI is evolving rapidly, but APL support is lagging behind that of some of the more mainstream programming languages, such as Python.
Stefan outlines the work that is being done at Dyalog Ltd to ameliorate this situation, including Model Context Protocol (MCP) to connect a Large Language Model (LLM) to a running application, smart documentation search, client libraries, and more.
Buyers Intelligence Group (BIG) provides inventory analysis services for thousands of jewelry manufacturers and retailers. By integrating with a wide variety of point-of-sale and other systems, BIG provides analysis tools to help its clients improve inventory turnover. Although the web front end is written using industry standard components such as ASP.NET, MSSQL, JavaScript, and KendoUI, much of the back end is written using Dyalog and its myriad of tools and interfaces.
Dyalog enables BIG to react quickly to changing needs and provide custom solutions tailored to individual clients. Mark introduced us to BIG’s use of Dyalog in his presentations at Dyalog ’22 and Dyalog ’23. He now updates us on how BIG’s use of Dyalog and its tools has continued to grow, and how they are actively exploring AI integration to push their capabilities further.
METSIM® is the leading chemical and mineral processing plant simulation software used by engineers and operators around the globe. Since 1982, all development has taken place using APL+Win, which served their products and our customers well. However, the environment in which all industries are operating has evolved, and improvements became necessary; Dyalog was selected as the replacement system to provide the tools and expertise in-house to ensure that METSIM continues to meet customer demands.
For the last 18 months, teams from MSI and Dyalog Ltd have worked together and successfully converted the METSIM source code to the Dyalog platform without losing any key features. Alex describes the conversion process, examining issues such as moving from Microsoft Windows specific APIs and UI to cross-platform tools that will also support Linux, without rewriting the application. He also discusses the planned source-code improvements, and the external APIs that will expand MSI’s product offerings.
Stefan outlines the work that is being done at Dyalog Ltd to ameliorate this situation, including Model Context Protocol (MCP) to connect a Large Language Model (LLM) to a running application, smart documentation search, client libraries, and more.