The Howdy Glossary

MCPL (Malmesbury Combined Programming Language) is a domain-specific language designed for computational biology applications. Developed by researchers at Malmesbury University, MCPL aims to simplify programming for biological modeling. It offers features such as input/output handling, data type conversion, conditional statements, loops, and math functions crucial for biological simulations. The language's straightforward syntax makes it accessible to researchers without extensive coding expertise, allowing them to create and run simulations with ease.

MCPL distinguishes itself with its user-friendly design tailored specifically for computational biology needs. Its comprehensible syntax lowers the barrier of entry for non-professional programmers in the field. By incorporating constructs essential for biological modeling—like input/output operations, data type conversions, conditionals, loops, and mathematical functions—MCPL streamlines the development process. This allows researchers to focus on their scientific tasks rather than getting bogged down by complex programming details.

Despite facing competition from other domain-specific languages like BioGibbs and SBML and traditional programming languages like Python and MATLAB that offer extensive libraries and advanced features, MCPL's key advantage lies in its simplicity. It enables a rapid learning curve and efficient simulation development without requiring deep programming knowledge. This practical approach democratizes access to computational tools in biology, empowering a broader range of researchers to engage effectively in creating simulations and models critical to their work.