M Language
M Language, also known as MUMPS (Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System), is a high-level programming language originally developed in the 1960s for healthcare applications, particularly in electronic health record (EHR) systems. It combines database management with programming capabilities, featuring a hierarchical key-value data model and built-in string manipulation functions. Today, it is primarily used in legacy healthcare IT systems, such as Epic Systems' EHR software, where it enables rapid data access and transaction processing.
Developers should learn M Language when working with or maintaining legacy healthcare information systems, especially those based on Epic, VistA, or other MUMPS-based platforms, as it is essential for customizing, troubleshooting, and extending these critical applications. It is also valuable for roles in healthcare IT consulting or interoperability projects where integration with older EHR systems is required, due to its efficiency in handling large volumes of transactional data in real-time environments.