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The operation of a digital computer in a control laboratory imposes stringent requirements for a suitable language. Such a machine is used as part of a hybrid computer, to control and test pilot-scale plant, to analyse pre-recorded data, and to process relevant off-line programs. To achieve this degree of flexibility a high-level language with the facility for employing machine-language subroutines is essential. For on-line systems, input and output of data involves a straight-forward extension to normal practise; the main difficulty lies in the programming for the servicing of interrupts. This paper discusses the use of Fortran as the basis language of an on-line system and compares this with possible Algol-based systems.