[nine_k]

BTW these computers were mostly very functional, in the modern sense. They took inputs from instruments and controls, and computed functions, all usually continuous, smooth, real- or complex-valued. These functions' values, computed as voltages, frequencies, angles, etc were directly controlling some actuators, rudders, throttles, etc.

It's also highly compositional, as in applying relatively simple functions to results of other such functions, etc., which you can reason about analytically, and can plot on paper or an oscilloscope as a part of development and testing loop.

Disclaimer: all my hands-on experience with analog computers is from a one-semester course decades ago, using analog electronic, not mechanical devices.