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Data are presented which show the execution characteristics of two types of commonly used programs in a large-scale, time-shared computer system. A software monitoring facility built into the supervisor was used for data collection during normal system operation. These data were analyzed, and results of this analysis are presented for a Fortran compiler and an interactive line file editor. Probability distribution functions and other data are given for such things as CPU intervals, I/O intervals, and the number of such intervals during execution. Empirical distributions are compared with simple theoretical distributions (exponential, hyperexponential, and geometric). Other data show paging characteristics of tasks as a function of the number of pages those tasks have in core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A virtual memory computer system with a fast buffer (cache) memory between primary memory and the central processing unit is considered. The optimal distribution it a program between the buffer and primary memory is studied using the program's lifetime function. Expression for the distribution of a program which maximizes the useful fraction of the cost-time integral of primary and fast buffer storage are obtained for swapping and nonswapping buffer management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscopic level Job stream data obtained in a production environment by an event-driven software probe is used to drive a model of a multiprogramming computer system. The CPU scheduling algorithm of the model is systematically varied. This technique, called trace-driven modeling, provides an accurate replica of a production environment for the testing of variations in the system. At the same time alterations in scheduling methods can be easily carried out in a controlled way with cause and effects relationships being isolated. The scheduling methods tested included the best possible and worst possible methods, the traditional methods of multiprogramming theory, round-robin, first-come- first-served, etc., and dynamic predictors. The relative and absolute performances of these scheduling methods are given. It is concluded that a successful CPU scheduling method must be preemptive and must prevent a given job from holding the CPU for too long a period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of on-line (time-sharing) computer systems and graphic terminals, we have available a new dimension in numerical problem solving capabilities. Rather than simply use the new power to achieve fast turnaround, we can develop interactive routines which are easy to use and also take advantage of the insight and visual capabilities of the human problem solver. Several on-line systems for general purpose mathematical problem solving have already been implemented as well as some special purpose systems for solving problems in a particular area such as ordinary differential equations. The advantage of restricting the problem area is that the interface with a user can be greatly simplified, in this paper we discuss some of the advantages accrued by such systems and design considerations for interactive routines. Furthermore, an implementation of an on-line least squares data-fitting program, PEG, is presented with results obtained from empirical data. In conclusion, areas for future work in this field are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several research papers relating to algorithms. The paper "Greatest Common Divisor of n Integers and Multipliers" presents an algorithm which calculates the greatest common divisor, IGCD, of n integers. Details of the method and comparisons to other algorithms are also given. The algorithm is a new version of the Euclidean algorithm for n integers. The n-1 calculations of the greatest common divisor of two integers is accomplished by means of a modified version of the Blankinship algorithm. The paper "Exponential Integral Ei (x)" presents the results of one phase of research carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under Contract NAS7-100, sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It presents an algorithm which was compiled and executed without any modification on a UNIVAC 1108 computer. An unfortunate precedent has been set in several recent algorithms of using an illegal FORTRAN construction.

Some of the problems of simulating discrete event systems, particularly computer systems, on a conventional digital computer are dealt with. The systems are assumed to be described as a network of interconnected sequential processes. Briefly reviewed are the common techniques used to handle such simulations when simultaneous events do not occur, can be ignored, or can be handled by simple priority rules. Following this, the problem of dealing with simultaneous events in separate processes is introduced. An abstraction of this problem is developed which admits solution for a majority of commonly encountered problems. The technique will either find a method of simulating the parallel events or report that none can be found. In some of the latter cases it is shown to be possible to find a solution by extending the information available to the solution technique, but in many cases the technique becomes computationally unfeasible when the additional information is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the proposed USA Standard, which presents control procedures for the data communication systems. This employs the USA Standard Code (SC) for Information Interchange. It is intended for systems that are controlled through the use of the communication control characters provided in USASCII. Other standards have been adopted or are being developed which prescribe the character structure, bit sequencing, signaling speed, message format, and other parameters vital to the communication of information in a data system. In the development of this standard both historical and present data communication practices were considered. In addition, consideration was given to the requirements for future systems and to the applicable standards being developed internationally. This standard is intended for systems that are controlled through the use of the communication control characters provided in USASCII. This standard specifies a variety of data communication control procedures to meet the needs of data communication links having different configurations or complexity.

FORMAT is a production program which facilitates the editing and printing of "finished" documents directly on the printer of a relatively small (64k) computer system. It features good performance, totally free-form input, very flexible formatting capabilities including up to eight columns per page, automatic capitalization, aids for index construction, and a minimum of nontext items. It is written entirely in FORTRAN IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of a remote terminal BASIC system within the context of an existing multiprogramming computer system, the Burroughs B5500, is described. This implementation combines a unique mixture of machine language and interpretive techniques with an incremental compiler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The designer of a computing system should adopt explicit criteria for accepting or rejecting proposed system features. Three possible criteria af this kind are input recordability, input specifiability, and asynchronous reproducibility of output. These criteria imply that a user can, if he desires, either know or control all the influences affecting the content and extent of his computer's output. To define the scope of the criteria, the notion of an abstract machine of a programming language and the notion of a virtual computer are explained. Examples of applications of the criteria concern the reading of a time-of-day clock, the synchronization of parallel processes, protection in multipragrammed systems, and the assignment of capability indexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model of a computer's executive system s postulated and its parameters estimated with the aid of extensive data on the system's operation. Although simplifying assumptions are made, the results predicted by the model agree reasonably well with actual results, The model is used to study the effects of changes in the executive system and in one of its compilers. Further applications of the model ore discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general purpose, remote access, computing system is described, that employs twelve-key keyboard telephones as terminals. Audio output is provided directly to the telephone terminals, but the system will normally be used in conjunction with remotely located high speed printing devices. The system is a compatible extension of an existing batch processing system. A significant element of the system is a scheme for transmitting alphanumeric information by single strokes on a numeric keyboard. The programmed scanner uses context to eliminate the ambiguity in transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decomposition of a complex data transmission system into segments and the identification of the terminal configurations employed on each segment appear to offer promise as a powerful tool for permitting and clarifying measurements and comparisons of the performance of like system segments, and for describing the features of systems which are significant to performance measurements. Many problem areas remain, however, for further study. For example, the question of combining the individual performance measures of a multisegment, multi-mode-of-operation system into a meaningful measure of total systems performance appears quite formidable. It is the intent of the Task Group to approach these problems of performance measurement gradually and to resolve them first for the simpler systems before proceeding to complex system configurations. Although the techniques which this Task Group has evolved for system description may appear to be voluminous or even redundant when applied to very simple configurations, they are orderly, and every effort has been made to seek and exploit the "common denominators" of data transmission systems having arbitrary degrees of complexity. We doubt that much further compaction can be realized without, severely curtailing or destroying the generality and (hopefully) universal applicability of these methods. The format which has been described is admittedly incomplete. It is suggestive rather than exhaustive. It is believed that its chief virtue lies in the identification of an orderly succession of levels of abstraction which permits the regular decomposition of highly complex systems into functional subgroupings having a size structure within the span of human attention. The details of description outlined within these subgroupings require further study and elucidation and it will probably always be necessary for the system describer Io employ good judgment and imagination in extending the scope of description in those areas where new advances, unique applications and/or common sense so dictate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost functions among five System/360 models are analyzed through examinations of instruction times, program kernels and "typical" instruction mix. Comparisons are made between the data developed here and Grosch's Law which seems to be applicable to much of the data. Sizable economies of scale are unquestionably present in computing equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semantics are defined for a number of meta-instructions which perform operations essential to the writing of programs in multiprogrammed computer systems. These meta-instructions relate to parallel processing, protection of separate computations, program debugging, and the sharing among users of memory segments and other computing objects, the names of which are hierarchically structured. The language sophistication contemplated is midway between an assembly language and an advanced algebraic language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the structure of programming languages. Components of programming languages; Factors influencing the choice of a form of component for a language; Ways to structure programs.

Today's computation centers are based on rapidly changing technologies of hardware and software systems. It is difficult, therefore, to base decisions on experience; in most instances, the benefits of comparable experience for a given problem situation are not available. In this paper, a mathematical model of the Lockheed Central Computer Center is formulated that describes the operation of a computation center in terms of information nets, decision processes, and control functions. Experiments performed with this model, the results of the experiments, and the application of the results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers news briefs related to products on computer programming and electronic systems. The UNIVAC of the Sperry Rand Corp. introduced its Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) 490 Modular Real-Time Systems with UNIVAC 491, 492, and 494 as its basic computing systems. The Honeywell Inc. has launched its H-8200 computer which manages nine programs simultaneously using developed microcircuitry. The Data Equipment Co. has announced its GRAFACON Model 1010.

This article presents a report on the remote, online, real-time digital computer system for clinical electrocardiograms. Experience with new digital computation techniques has made it increasingly apparent that electrocardiographic diagnosis may be successfully performed automatically. Operationally, the diagnostic system consists of a sequence of five programs that are called from tape into memory via the executive monitoring program. Diagnostic runs are made daily from the hospital in the morning and the afternoon. The operation time for each case is approximately four minutes with about one-half of the time consumed by teletyping and tape handling and the remainder by real-time computation. The result of the patient's identification data analysis were presented in the sequential form to provide a clear picture of the sectional contributions of the various parts of the program to the final diagnosis and to allow for online, real-time cardiologist-computer interaction at various levels in the diagnostic process during those periods when an attempt is being made to increase the diagnostic accuracy of the system.

Informs that Frederick R. Kappel, chairman of AT&T Corp., figures that it will take 35 years for the company to install the new electronic switchgear announced by the company. Prediction that when electronic machinery is in place, the flexibility and cost of telephone service will be improved; Information that the Bell System has already spent $100 million on electronics; Comparison of telephone rates in the various states; Focus on the role of the federal agency as the unifying force in the regulation of the U.S. telephone industry.

The article focuses on the traffic control experiments to combat the traffic problems from New York state to Toronto, Ontario. It says that the outdated traffic lights in New York will be converted into a system of computers and electronic sensors worth 100 million dollars. It adds that an experiment worth 100,000 dollars will be conducted in San Jose, California which will use an International Business Machine Corp.'s (IBMs) 1710 digital computer tied to 400 magnetic sensors.

The article reports on various issues faced by computer systems men regarding the pace of implementing new computer developments. As stated, the progress in computer developments has been made so fast that only those totally involved with computers are capable of keeping tracks. It states that most companies are planning for use of total systems which are expected to pay large dividends. Also, some companies are beginning to count programming as a capital expenditure.

This article focuses on the goal of National Cash Register Co. to make its computer systems capture the retailing and banking markets in the U.S. Although the company helped start data-processing it is a little late in selling computers. To support its plan to capture a good share of the retail and banking markets the company has issued 80 million dollars in debentures and new stock. This expansion efforts of the company will be led by Chairman and President Robert S. Oelman.

The article reports on the proliferation of new electronics that come in tinier package devices with multiplied powers. In the area of transistor and other semiconductor devices, Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc. is leading the way. The difference of the new transistors being developed by Bell comes from new approaches to the problem of designing electronic systems. The development of methods such as semiconductor integrated circuits, thin film techniques and molectronics is discussed.

This article discusses the effect of computer simulation on the life of man. Today, large electronic computers provide a lazy man's dream laboratory. He does not have to go into the wide world and strain his eyes or get his hands dirty observing nature. The two major uses of man's new laboratory are for planning and for training. Another major use of the simulation laboratory in recent years has been the training of businessmen. Experts in a certain area of business, for ex- ample, in the stock market, program a computing machine to simulate the behavior of the market.

The article focuses on the progress in the use of radar to detect distant objects. Radar is known to be the accurate measurement of distance which is essential to the planning of space probes. Further advances in radar technology should make it possible to construct maps of the planets. Radar astronomy will not displace rocketry in the active exploration of space.

The article focuses on the millimeter and submillimeter range of radio microwaves. This type of radio microwave was utilized as radar during World War II. Radio waves in this range is capable of giving information about the shapes, sizes and other properties of submicroscopic particles of matter. Short radio wave is generated from centimeter waves and the development of harmonics. Then, it is sent through a waveguide where they are picked up by a cat whisker assembly.

For Israelis, 1970 began most auspiciously. Events followed one another in quick succession, the arrival in Haifa of the five French-built gunboats, the disclosure that a 7-ton radar station had been taken intact from Egyptians, the capture of twenty-one soldiers and civilians from a village in southern Lebanon. A review of the current situation on Israel's borders supports Griffith's gloomy forecast. Defense minister Moshe Dayan said in January 1970 that "Egypt is the only country which can start another war, and our main objective is to deny it, not only to stop them if they try to push us from our position but to maintain such a situation that they would not feel they are ready to start another war."

The article offers information on the electronic traffic control system to be installed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It discusses the functions of the new system and its advantages which include flexibility, and the fact that its speed and capacity can produce a greater variety of signal combinations than mechanical traffic light controls.

The computer has done a great deal for business. Also, unfortunately, it has almost done in a number of businessmen--especially in the cases of new computer systems that are delivered late or do not work as expected. For these trials and tribulations, says the author, management usually can blame no one but itself, it just has not insisted on the kinds of procurement policies and practices that have become standard for other major equipment purchases. This article shows how a reasonable degree of top management involvement in contracting for the use of computer systems can substantially improve the chances of their performing as hoped, and reduce the chances of delays in delivery, of unforseen expense, of disappointing performance, and of interminable arguments over contract compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the key issues and developments relevant to the use of electronic computers in business enterprises. The article presents an investigation into the possibilities of electronic computers, the methodology behind selecting a computer and the specific applications of computers in business. The article also discusses the cost advantages of computers, the implications that computers have for business managers and decision-making issues on the installation of an electronic computer system.

The article discusses the social effects of computers. It is stated that big businesses have found that the computer's ability to ingest, digest, and deliver ever more information has been recognized by big businesses and governments. It is mentioned that some of the most obvious symptoms of oversized, over complex institutions are being elevated with the help of computers at work.

The article offers information on several types of typesetting systems available on the market. Poole Clarinda Co. in Chicago, Illinois uses a high-speed photocomposition device called Videocomp from Radio Corp. of America. It describes three generations of photocomposition devices namely all-mechanical systems, electro-mechanical devices and all-electronic systems.

An addendum to the Report of the ACM Curriculum Committee on Computer Education for Management is proposed. The proposed addendum is to include in the curriculum a course on information Systems Administration. It is important for two reasons: (1) the systems designer must understand the administrative framework in which he must operate to work effectively, and (2) an important objective of the curriculum recommendations is to prepare the future manager of the computer activity. It is felt that the importance of these two reasons justifies the addition of the recommended course. The course is outlined in the format of the original report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information related to activities of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) in the U.S. Donn B. Parker, secretary of ACM, in a letter to Senator Sam Irvin, Jr., of North Carolina, called the Senator's attention to the fact that the Association is deeply committed in the area of professional ethics in the data processing industry, while further outlining many of ACM's activities related to professional conduct. Parker told the Senator that the Association had adopted a Proposed Set of Guidelines for Professional Conduct in Information Processing as a first step in providing: guidance to ACM members. state of the art in software systems designed for the management and information handling applications is being conducted by the National Bureau of Standards Center for Computer Sciences and Technology for use by the Center in its operations and for dissemination to the technical community. Fifteen hardware and software companies have been asked to supply data on their software developments.

The article presents information on new products in the computer industry. Ray W. Macdonald, president of Burrough Corp. has announced two new series of advanced electronic computer systems in the low to medium price range. These are the B2500 and B3500 data processing systems, newest members of the Burrough 500 Systems. A new International Business Machines Corp. 1500 instructional system initially has been made available for lease or purchase to a limited number of educators for research, development and operational use. It will present lesson material at student "stations." A station may consist of a viewing screen, an image projector and an audio system. A new low-cost random-access storage system for use with the UNIVAC 1004 family bas been announced by Sperry Rand's Univac Division. The new UNIVAC Unidisc System stores data on two interchangeable disk cartridges. The General Electric Co. (GE) publicly demonstrated its smallest scale computer, the GE-115, for the first time at the Spring Joint Computer Conference in Boston in April 1966. The new low-cost electronic system operates as a remote terminal to a distant GE computer.

The article presents information on several recent developments at various universities across the U.S. An electronic computer which may be up to 50 times faster than any other now contemplated is planned for the University of Illinois Urbana campus as a joint effort of the University and industry. The proposed machine has been labeled "ILLIAC IV" as the fourth in the series of pioneering electronic computers designed and built at Illinois. ILLIAC IV will pioneer a new concept in special purpose computer organization developed by Daniel L. Slotnick, who will be in charge of the project. The University of Texas has purchased Control Data 6600 computer system, which will be installed in the University's Computation Center in July 1967. The new system, which is estimated to have at least 30 times the speed and capability of the ones it will replace, has a price tag of $5,926,850. An IBM System 360 Model 50 has been put into operation at the Brown University Computing Laboratory. The new computer has been rented from IBM for $20,000 a month, with the help of a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

This article presents information related to mathematical algorithms. The new "Talking Computer System" patent stems from an earlier U.S. Patent Number 3,133,268 issued in May 1964, also assigned to Bunker-Ramo, which is primarily directed to the basic elements of query and reply systems in which the replies to queries are not necessarily of the voice-response type. The Joint Users Group has elected Melvin Klerer and J.A N. Lee to fill the two vacancies on the Executive Board. A low-priced data processing system, designed for small and medium-sized businesses and for use as a remote system to larger centralized computer installations, has been announced by the Sperry Rand Corporation's Univac Division. The UNIVAG 1005 Data Processing System has a memory cycle time of from 6.5 to 8 seconds. Punched cards are read at speeds ranging from 400 to G15 per minute and punched at 200 per minute. The 1005 prints at the rate of 400 to 600 lines per minute, and has a magnetic core memory of 2,048 characters which can be expanded to 4,096 characters.

The article offers news briefs regarding data processing. Burroughs Corporation has expanded its commercial data processing lines with the introduction of a new computer called the B300. Advanced Scientific Instruments has announced the availability of a line of interface equipment which will allow integrated systems operation with its newly announced Advanced Series 6020 and 6040 computers.

The article explores the increasing number of people in the U.S. who are becoming interested in high-fidelity sound systems. According to a survey of manufacturers and distributors of hi-fi equipment, there are three reasons people are becoming hi-fi fans. Aside from the fact that more and more people are learning about the quality of music production they can get from the system, they insist that they can get twice the fidelity of reproduction from a custom-built set which they get from expensive commercial system, for half the price.

The article reports on the launch of an elevator traffic control system called Autotronic by Otis Elevator Co. in November 1948. Otis engineers say installation of the system will result in increased carrying efficiency from group elevators. Two tests of the system showed that it was able to cut six elevators down to five yet increased passenger-carrying capacity by 30 percent. The application of electronic control to the dispatching of elevators in the Autotronic system is also described.

The article features several new products launched as of October 23, 1948, including the electric electronic selective-calling system Vibra-Switch from Motorola Inc., weld nuts from Grip Nut Co., and the anti-rust packaging VPI Wrap from Angier Corp.

The article focuses on the never ending need for advanced machines despite the invention of fast computers. As stated, the scientists believe that bigger the computers, the finer and more accurate they can make mathematical models. It states that developing a new computer technique to solve a problem often produces methods which lead to solution of several problems such as the next generation computers using integrated circuits has been accelerated by government spending on aerospace systems.

The article focuses on the increasing use of electronic computer in business management. As stated, business, government, and the military are now spending around 4 billion dollars a year for computers and the electronic processing systems. The sales of computer abroad are stated to expanding at the rate of 25 percent annually. It states that electronic data processing is a virtually unprecedented instrument of change that will continue as its use grows.

The article focuses on the problems that will be faced by various industries in the U.S. in 1961. It mentions the microminiaturization and developments in solid-state materials which have great effects on product activities of the electronics industry. The machine tools which are interlocked with materials-handling devices and the hydraulic or electronic systems challenge industrial machinery and equipment manufacturers. It adds the change in consumer attitudes regarding product performance.

The article offers information on a research and development program at Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc. in 1960 that focuses on a new kind of telephone central switching office. The new central office is all electronic and it is capable of diagnosing its own troubles. A long test will be conducted in Morris, Illinois where 319 telephone subscribers will participate. The extra services that come with the telephone system are noted.