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Artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Proceedings of the IFAC Symposium, Leningrad, USSR, October 1983
V. M. Ponomaryov Pergamon Press Ltd, September 1984, 500 pp., $100.00/ £62.50, ISBN 0 08 031130 X A collection of 82 papers by leading experts in the field. Major areas covered include: knowledge representation and industrial expert systems; robot and flexible manufacturing systems; decision-making systems in computer-aided planning, design and control; artificial intelligence applied systems. For systems and computer scientists, and control engineers.
Introduction to Numerical Methods for Parallel Computers U. Schendel and B. W. Conolly John Wiley and Sons Ltd, August 1984, 150 pp., $29.95/ £15.00 A review of the current status of the design of new computer architecture, particularly the parallel processor which has made such an impact in the facilitation of complex numerical problems. Developed from a series of successful tutorials held at the Free University of Berlin, stimulated both by the need for an introduction to this subject, and by the rapid recent development of computers. It is a compact introduction into a new field, including recent results; and shows both the common principles in parallel computing as well as the applications.
Teaching and Applying Mathematical Modelling J. S. Berry, D. N. Burghes, I. D. Huntley, D. J. G. James and A. O. Moscardini John Wiley and Sons Ltd, May 1984, 480 pp., $60.55/ £35.00, iSBN 0 85 312728 X The book deals with the development of mathematical modelling courses, and shows how mathematical applications and modelling can be incorporated into existing courses. The test deals with many new mathematical models and mirrors current trends particularly with regard to incorporating the use of computers and calculators. The authors offer suggestions on how the material should be taught, the design and analysis of models, with plenty of practical dicussion on the problems involved. The book stems from the First International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematical Modelling, held at the University of Exeter.
Coordinated Computing-Tools Distributed Software
and Techniques for
R. E. Filman and D. P. Friedman McGraw-Hilt Book Company Ltd, 1984, 370 pp., £27.25, ISBN 0 07 022439 0 This book compares and contrasts current, relevant proposals from scientific literature, helping the reader develop a critical understanding of the material. Concurrency, communication, and synchronization are treated as concepts and placed in a conceptual framework independent of implementation. Many example programs are examined and their differences highlighted, allowing the reader to see what is new, different, and important, as well as which ideas are simple derivatives of others. The book also includes worked examples, case studies, problems, and an extensive, annotated bibliography.
Elastic Instability Phenomena J. M. T. Thompson and G. I4I.Hunt John Wiley, 0 471902799
March
1984,
209
pp.,
£17.50,
ISBN
Intended for undergraduate and post-graduate courses in civil, mechanical, marine, and aerospace engineering, and includes material that has been taught for a number of years to undergraduate and MSc students of Civil Engineering at University College and Imperial College, London.
54
Adv. Eng. Software, 1985, Vo£ 7, No. 1:
REV
BOOK I EWS
Modern Methods for Cobol Programmers J. R. Pugh and D. 11. Bell Prentice/Hall International ISBN 13 595245 8. £15.95 This book is written for programmers who need to develop their skills in the area of program design and are already familiar with Cobol. The authors identify two major problems facing most DP managers as those of software maintenance and difficulty in adhering to time and cost budgets. It is suggested that the effects of these problems can be minimised if programs are designed consistently in the beginning. The method advanced by the authors is that of Top Down Stepwise Refinement (TDSR). Using this method any program may be considered as a module within a complete system. The aim of the program is then stated as simply as possible. The program is then divided into submodules each having a discrete function. These sub-modules are then subjected to the same process and defined in more detail. This process is applied repeatedly, finally producing Cobol source code. Having explained the method the authors then demonstrate the application of the technique to three common areas of commercial coding: a report program, a sequential file update, and an on-line update. Consideration is given by the authors to programtesting, an area sometimes overlooked in books on programming technique. The authors also recommend the usefulness of Structured Walkthroughs and Chief Programme Teams. Although the book is aimed primarily at Cobol programmers the techniques described could be applied to almost any form of problem solving and will be of interest to most programmers and analysts. Increased programmer efficiency is close to the hearts of all DP managers. This book gives well reasoned comments on a method which could achieve the desired end. However, it also sounds a warning about the possible effects on morale of applying the techniques too rigidly. In conclusion this book is well written and presented. Perhaps TDSR was employed during its production. I would recommend that all programmers and DP managers who care about the quality of their output should consider reading this book.
M. Banister Symtec Systems, Southampton, UK
V. M. Ponomaryov Pergamon Press Ltd, September 1984, 500 pp., $100.00/ £62.50, ISBN 0 08 031130 X A collection of 82 papers by leading experts in the field. Major areas covered include: knowledge representation and industrial expert systems; robot and flexible manufacturing systems; decision-making systems in computer-aided planning, design and control; artificial intelligence applied systems. For systems and computer scientists, and control engineers.
Introduction to Numerical Methods for Parallel Computers U. Schendel and B. W. Conolly John Wiley and Sons Ltd, August 1984, 150 pp., $29.95/ £15.00 A review of the current status of the design of new computer architecture, particularly the parallel processor which has made such an impact in the facilitation of complex numerical problems. Developed from a series of successful tutorials held at the Free University of Berlin, stimulated both by the need for an introduction to this subject, and by the rapid recent development of computers. It is a compact introduction into a new field, including recent results; and shows both the common principles in parallel computing as well as the applications.
Teaching and Applying Mathematical Modelling J. S. Berry, D. N. Burghes, I. D. Huntley, D. J. G. James and A. O. Moscardini John Wiley and Sons Ltd, May 1984, 480 pp., $60.55/ £35.00, iSBN 0 85 312728 X The book deals with the development of mathematical modelling courses, and shows how mathematical applications and modelling can be incorporated into existing courses. The test deals with many new mathematical models and mirrors current trends particularly with regard to incorporating the use of computers and calculators. The authors offer suggestions on how the material should be taught, the design and analysis of models, with plenty of practical dicussion on the problems involved. The book stems from the First International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematical Modelling, held at the University of Exeter.
Coordinated Computing-Tools Distributed Software
and Techniques for
R. E. Filman and D. P. Friedman McGraw-Hilt Book Company Ltd, 1984, 370 pp., £27.25, ISBN 0 07 022439 0 This book compares and contrasts current, relevant proposals from scientific literature, helping the reader develop a critical understanding of the material. Concurrency, communication, and synchronization are treated as concepts and placed in a conceptual framework independent of implementation. Many example programs are examined and their differences highlighted, allowing the reader to see what is new, different, and important, as well as which ideas are simple derivatives of others. The book also includes worked examples, case studies, problems, and an extensive, annotated bibliography.
Elastic Instability Phenomena J. M. T. Thompson and G. I4I.Hunt John Wiley, 0 471902799
March
1984,
209
pp.,
£17.50,
ISBN
Intended for undergraduate and post-graduate courses in civil, mechanical, marine, and aerospace engineering, and includes material that has been taught for a number of years to undergraduate and MSc students of Civil Engineering at University College and Imperial College, London.
54
Adv. Eng. Software, 1985, Vo£ 7, No. 1:
REV
BOOK I EWS
Modern Methods for Cobol Programmers J. R. Pugh and D. 11. Bell Prentice/Hall International ISBN 13 595245 8. £15.95 This book is written for programmers who need to develop their skills in the area of program design and are already familiar with Cobol. The authors identify two major problems facing most DP managers as those of software maintenance and difficulty in adhering to time and cost budgets. It is suggested that the effects of these problems can be minimised if programs are designed consistently in the beginning. The method advanced by the authors is that of Top Down Stepwise Refinement (TDSR). Using this method any program may be considered as a module within a complete system. The aim of the program is then stated as simply as possible. The program is then divided into submodules each having a discrete function. These sub-modules are then subjected to the same process and defined in more detail. This process is applied repeatedly, finally producing Cobol source code. Having explained the method the authors then demonstrate the application of the technique to three common areas of commercial coding: a report program, a sequential file update, and an on-line update. Consideration is given by the authors to programtesting, an area sometimes overlooked in books on programming technique. The authors also recommend the usefulness of Structured Walkthroughs and Chief Programme Teams. Although the book is aimed primarily at Cobol programmers the techniques described could be applied to almost any form of problem solving and will be of interest to most programmers and analysts. Increased programmer efficiency is close to the hearts of all DP managers. This book gives well reasoned comments on a method which could achieve the desired end. However, it also sounds a warning about the possible effects on morale of applying the techniques too rigidly. In conclusion this book is well written and presented. Perhaps TDSR was employed during its production. I would recommend that all programmers and DP managers who care about the quality of their output should consider reading this book.
M. Banister Symtec Systems, Southampton, UK