Automatic programming and business applications

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses about automatic programming and business applications of computers. Computer work in the business field consists in the main of two different classes: (1) the normal office routine work of data processing, including payroll, stores, accounting and the like; and (2) the work of industrial mathematics where scientific tools, such as linear programming and operations research, are harnessed to aid management. The most important part of computer work is the end product, the results which have to be used. There is, at present, too much concern with hardware and not enough concern with applications. Automatic programming has been defined as any device which makes the work easier or faster. One of the easiest ways is to use an existing program. Systems designers must know the potentialities of the program. Manufacturers and users alike are contributing to libraries of subroutines. Such subroutines can be linked together to form a complete routine for the solution of a problem. This calls for a higher degree of skill in a programmer, requires less programmers and saves writing and testing time. All these methods are simple techniques which come within our definition and they are important for business users.