What is mumps?

MUMPS (also called M) is a programming language and an integrated database system that was created in the late 1960s for managing large amounts of medical data. It combines a simple, line‑oriented language with a built‑in hierarchical (tree‑like) database, allowing programs to store and retrieve data very quickly.

Let's break it down

  • Language: Very concise syntax; each line is a command, and variables are untyped.
  • Globals: Special variables that live on disk and act as the database; they are hierarchical, like folders inside folders.
  • Interpreter: MUMPS code runs inside an interpreter that directly accesses the globals, so there’s no separate SQL engine.
  • Routine files: Code is stored in “routines,” which are just text files that the interpreter can load on demand.

Why does it matter?

MUMPS was designed to handle massive, constantly changing records-exactly what hospitals need for patient charts, lab results, and billing. Its tight coupling of code and data makes read/write operations extremely fast, which is why many critical health‑care systems still rely on it today.

Where is it used?

  • Large hospital information systems such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VistA.
  • Commercial electronic health record (EHR) platforms like Epic’s early versions.
  • Laboratory information systems, pharmacy management, and insurance claim processing.
  • Some government and research databases that grew from the original MUMPS implementations.

Good things about it

  • Speed: Direct access to the hierarchical database makes data retrieval milliseconds fast.
  • Scalability: Handles millions of records without needing a separate DBMS.
  • Reliability: Proven in mission‑critical environments for decades.
  • Compact code: Small programs can do a lot, which reduces maintenance overhead.
  • Open source options: Modern implementations like GT.M and YottaDB are free and actively maintained.

Not-so-good things

  • Steep learning curve: The terse syntax and unusual concepts (globals, routines) can be confusing for new developers.
  • Aging ecosystem: Few modern development tools, IDEs, or libraries compared to languages like Java or Python.
  • Limited community: Smaller pool of developers, making hiring and knowledge sharing harder.
  • Legacy perception: Often seen as “old‑school,” which can deter investment despite its strengths.
  • Portability quirks: Code that relies heavily on globals may need significant rewriting to move to other platforms.