The Howdy Glossary

Euclid is a programming language designed for exact real number computations, representing real numbers as infinite sequences of digits to allow high-accuracy calculations. Its syntax mirrors imperative languages like C, bridging conventional programming and real number manipulation with techniques such as interval arithmetic and Taylor series expansion. This makes Euclid particularly useful in fields requiring precise modeling of complex systems or numerical analysis where minimizing errors is crucial.

Created by Dr. Cleve Moler, co-founder of MathWorks and creator of MATLAB, Euclid addresses the specific challenges inherent in exact real number computations in programming. Dr. Moler's deep expertise in numerical computing and programming informed Euclid's design, making it tailored for high-accuracy calculations using infinite digit sequences to represent real numbers accurately. This focus on precision calculation enhances its utility across various domains that depend on meticulous numerical accuracy.

Euclid competes with languages and tools like Mathematica, Maple, and GNU Octave, which also offer precise real number calculations but have broader mathematical functionalities or symbolic computation abilities. What sets Euclid apart is its specialized approach focusing solely on exact computations through unique methods like interval arithmetic and Taylor series expansion while maintaining a familiar syntax resembling C for ease of use among programmers transitioning from traditional coding practices. These distinctive features position Euclid as an essential tool for users demanding high-precision numerical analyses across different professional fields including engineering, physics, scientific computing, and beyond.