The Howdy Glossary

ISETL is a high-level programming language developed by Richard J. Lipton and Robert Endre Tarjan, specifically designed for discrete mathematics. It incorporates set-theoretic constructs and built-in tools for managing lists, sets, and strings while supporting arbitrary precision arithmetic. The language provides facilities for writing formal specifications of algorithms and enables automated proofs using equational reasoning.

In the competitive landscape of specialized programming languages for discrete mathematics, ISETL faces strong contenders like SageMath, Maple, and Mathematica. Each of these languages offers unique strengths: SageMath is open-source with extensive libraries, Maple has a user-friendly interface ideal for symbolic computing, and Mathematica excels in symbolic manipulation and comprehensive mathematical computations. Despite their robust functionalities, ISETL distinguishes itself through its emphasis on set-theoretic constructs tailored explicitly to discrete mathematics.

Due to its specialized focus on discrete mathematics and set theory, ISETL holds significant competitive advantages. It efficiently manages mathematical objects through unique constructs for lists, sets, strings, and supports arbitrary precision arithmetic along with tools for formal algorithm specifications. Its standout feature—the capacity to conduct automated proofs via equational reasoning—further differentiates it from general-purpose rivals like SageMath or Mathematica by offering a more precise environment suited to the rigorous demands of algorithm development in discrete mathematics.