:Executive Systems Problem Oriented Language

{{Afd-merge to|Burroughs Large Systems#ESPOL and NEWP|Executive Systems Problem Oriented Language|18 February 2025}}

{{Infobox programming language

| name = Executive Systems Problem Oriented Language (ESPOL)

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| paradigms = Multi-paradigm: procedural, imperative, structured

| family = ALGOL

| designers =

| developer = Burroughs Corporation

| released = {{Start date and age|1966}}

| latest release version = Burroughs B6700 B7700

| latest release date = {{Start date and age|1972|06|27}}

| typing = Static, strong

| scope = Lexical (static)

| programming language =

| discontinued = Yes

| platform = Burroughs large systems

| operating system = Burroughs MCP

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| influenced by = ALGOL 60

| influenced = NEWP

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The Executive Systems Problem Oriented Language (ESPOL) is a programming language, a superset of ALGOL 60, that provides abilities of what would later be termed a system programming language{{cite book |last1=Bergeron |first1=R. D. |display-authors=etal |editor1-last=Rubinoff |editor1-first=Morris |date=December 15, 1972 |chapter=Language for Systems Development |title=Advances in Computers |volume=12 |place=New York; London |publisher=Academic Press |page=282 |isbn=978-0080566443 |language=en}} or machine oriented high order language (mohol), such as interrupting a processor on a multiprocessing system (the Burroughs large systems were multiprocessor systems). ESPOL was used to write the Master Control Program (MCP) on Burroughs computer systems from the B5000 to the B6700.{{cite book |author1=Staff |date=1966 |url=http://bitsavers.org/pdf/burroughs/LargeSystems/B5000_5500_5700/1032638_B5500_ESPOL_RefMan_196710.pdf |title=B5500 ESPOL Reference Manual |place=Detroit, Michigan |publisher=Burroughs Corporation |language=en |via=Computer History Museum}}

{{cite book |author1=Staff |date=January 1970 |url=http://bitsavers.org/pdf/burroughs/LargeSystems/B6500_6700/1042744_B6500_ESPOL_Jan70.pdf |title=B6500 ESPOL Reference Manual |place=Detroit, Michigan |publisher=Burroughs Corporation |language=en |via=Computer History Museum}}

{{cite book |author1=Staff |date=27 June 1972 |url=http://bitsavers.org/pdf/burroughs/LargeSystems/B6500_6700/5000094_B6700_ESPOL_Jun72.pdf |title=B6700/B7700 Executive System Programming Language (ESPOL) Information Manual |place=Detroit, Michigan |publisher=Burroughs Corporation |language=en |via=Computer History Museum}}

The single-pass compiler for ESPOL could compile over 250 lines per second.

ESPOL was superseded by NEWP in the mid-to-late 1970s.