1. FORmula MAnipulation Language.An early Fortran extension for symbolic mathematics.["FORMAL, A Formula Manipulation Language", C.K. Mesztenyi, Computer Note CN-1, CS Dept, U Maryland (Jan 1971)].2.A data manipulation language for nonprogrammers from IBMLASC.["FORMAL: A Forms-Oriented and Visual-Directed Application System", N.C. Shu, IEEE Computer 18(8):38-49 (1985)].(1994-12-06)