Foreword Foreword to Second Edition Part One: Introduction to Data Processing 1 Modern Digital Computers The Basic Units of a Computer Analogue versus Digital Computers Scientific versus Commercial Computers Manufacturers and Models 2 Fundamental Computer Concepts Advantages and Disadvantages of Computers 3 Computers in the Commercial Environment Private, Public, and Civil Service Organizations The Information Hierarchy The Processing Loop The Computer as an Aid to Information Processing 4 Historical Perspective The Nineteenth Century Modern Pioneers The Second Generation The Third Generation The Fourth Generation Revision Questions Part Two: Computer Hardware and Software 5 The Central Processor Unit Magnetic Core Memory Semiconductor Memories Magnetic Bubble Memories Memories of the Future Binary Notation Binary Coded Decimal and Hexadecimal Zone Bits and Parity Bits Words and Bytes Characteristics of Memory Representation of Instructions and Data in Memory Environmental Controls 6 File Storage Devices Magnetic Tape Magnetic Tape Processing Direct Access Devices Direct Access Processing 7 Input Devices Punched Cards Paper Tape Magnetic Tape Encoding Data Entry Systems Mark Sensing Optical Character Recognition Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Turnaround Documents By-Product Input Direct and Remote Data Entry 8 Output Devices High-Speed Impact Line Printers Non-Impact Printers Laser Printers Graph Plotters Data Transmission Teleprinters Visual Display Units 9 Microfilm Examples of Applications Advantages and Disadvantages of COM On-Line versus Off-Line The Technology of COM Format of Microfilm Film Processing and Duplication Viewing and Reproduction Graphics and Special Characters Software Indexing and Retrieval Updating Right-Justification 10 Programming Languages Types of Instructions Machine Language Assembler Languages Macros High-Level Languages 11 Software Application-Independent Software Applications Packages Miscellaneous Software Generalized File Processors Data Base Management Systems Who Supplies Software? Why Use Software? Revision QuestionsPart Three: Developing and Implementing a Computer System 12 Planning The System Development Process Policy and Planning 13 The Feasibility Study The User Request The Feasibility Study 14 Information Gathering and Analysis Objectives and Scope of Information Gathering Planning Interviewing Data and Problem Analysis Problem Analysis Required Output for Design User Presentation and Authorizations 15 System Design System Design Methodology Objectives The Input Subsystem The Computer Subsystem The Output Subsystem Documentation of the Design User Presentation and Authorizations 16 Programming Design of the Program Structure Flowcharting Coding Testing Program Documentation 17 Implementing the System System Testing The System Test Plan Test Files File Conversion User Training Procedure Manuals Implementation 18 Maintenance Assignme