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Computer techniques are widely used by the marine industry to implement the phases of conceptual, preliminary, and detail design of ships. Application of computers to augment the definition of ship characteristics is rapidly increasing. Governmental agencies and leading private concerns have already resorted to the use of computers and expend considerable efforts in program developments. Computer application is a new cost element in ship design; thus, consideration should be given to developments that will render the computer a useful and cost-effective tool to the industry. Cost-effectiveness compels the analyst and the designer to distinguish between mere use which they should avoid, and usefulness which they should seek. The increasing trend to employ systems analyses to ship design is greatly facilitated by using computers. System and subsystem definition and optimization offer excellent opportunity for useful computer application. The desired extent of analysis and design dictates the function and the appropriate program construction to be employed. Current practices and future trends indicate that short, specific programs are usually the most useful and that large programs should be developed using special techniques and processors only if the programs would serve an existing or projected need. This discussion outlines pertinent thoughts on current program utilization and also on development and construction techniques to facilitate computer definition of ship characteristics. Discussers Henry Rumble H. Chatterton Reuven Leopold