Fourth Generation Systems

There is no doubt that the advent of Fourth Generation Systems has dramatically improved both the ease and the speed with which new application software can be developed and, for the first time, has made it possible for comparatively unskilled users to develop their own programs. However, the quality and scope of Fourth Generation Systems varies widely and it is not easy for prospective users to identify and evaluate those which are most appropriate to their own particular needs. The contributors to this book, representing a wide range of leading software houses as well as users with experience of Fourth Generation Systems, consultants and researchers, provide the reader with a wide-ranging survey of current systems together with a realistic appraisal of the opportunities and options available to businesses and other users. There is a full discussion of benchmarking and evaluation, the role of standards and the organizational impact of Fourth Generation Systems as well as reports from industrial users who have first-hand experience of developing and implementing new applications.