Why not a high level assembly language?

This paper questions the cost effectiveness of high order language (HOL) support for specialized signal processing hardware. It describes an extended assembly language approach that was adopted to support one such signal processor. The special, but typical, features of this processor are described, along with the language constructs provided to make those features more useable. Many HOL constructs were added and the resulting language illustrates the way HOL functions can be provided whilst still making optimum use of the hardware. The language has been in use since 1978 and experience, both good and bad, is reported.