The Lisp Machine manual

Abstract

This 471-page, softcover manual describes the programming language and software environment of the Lisp Machine developed at M.I.T.'s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory over the past 8 years. The Lisp Machine is the result of a successful experiment in computer science: a distributed computing system consisting of a network of powerful 32-bit personal computers, implemented with custom hardware and software as complete, interactive graphical workstations. Each machine consists of a 32-bit computer with 64 megabytes of virtual memory, 1 to 16 megabytes of main memory, 80 megabytes (or larger) disk, 800x900 graphics display (color optional), mouse, keyboard, speaker and 4 million bit/second local network interface, which allows connections to other Lisp Machines, primers and file servers.