FARGO (programming language)
FARGO (Fourteen-o-one Automatic Report Generation Operation), 1960-1964, was the predecessor to the popular RPG programming language.
The idea behind FARGO was to facilitate ease of transition for IBM Tabulating Machine, unit record equipment technicians to the new IBM 1400 series of computers. The native language of 1400 series was Symbolic Programming System (a machine language) and it, along with Autocoder (an assembly language), represented a significant paradigm shift and learning curve for the tab machine technicians who were accustomed to plugging wires into control panels or plug-boards to implement input, output, control and counter operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
Tab machines programs were executed by impulses emitted in a machine cycle; hence, FARGO emulated the notion of a cycle. FARGO coordinated the concept of coding sheets that closely approximated the principles of wiring panels of tabulating machines. Early FARGO training material showed the wiring panel vs. coding sheet relationships.
Backward Compatibility
IBM historically placed emphasis on backward compatability, and FARGO and 1400 Autocoder continued to be used in some IBM System/360 shops by running in "Emulation" mode. COBOL, FORTRAN and RPG languages did nor require emulation because System/360 versions were provided.