This paper describes the features of the language polyFORTH (an advanced version of FORTH) that the authors consider offer the engineer full control in the application of software to real-time control systems. This description is from an electronics engineer's viewpoint, based on the usage of this language in a large number of projects, from small intelligent instruments to large multiprocessor industrial process control systems. The paper concludes with a description of the software designed into one such large multiprocessor project, a combined safety system (fire and gas) in an oil rig.