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books
Computersof the future Towards Fifth Generation Computers by G L Simons. Published by NCC Publications. 226~~. X10.5’0. The Japanese have quite a reputation for copying technology from other countries, and copying very well. It’s an image they are trying to change in the computer industry. Instead of faithfully dogging the footsteps of the American Greats, Japan has chosen to strike out in a different direction. The policy seems to be working, for now the rest of the world is scampering to get involved before it is left too far behind. Japan’s chosen direction is toward Fifth Generation computing. The phrase is well-known, and the theory is preached at an increasing number of international conferences. Yet it is difficult to find solid products of the theory. Geoff Simon’s book explains the concept of Fifth Generation machines, and brings together the different strands of research worldwide which could be incorporated into the technology. Research such as the development of new logical languages, such as PROLOG and I,ISP, and the work being carried out expert systems are included. Artificial intelligence is a particularly interesting aspect of the Fifth Generation vision, for it is here that the reality of the near future meets the science fiction of the 1950s. The aim of AI is to bridge the gap between human Many and machine processes. methods are under development to effect this, Simons explains. He quotes M L Minsky in explaining AI as ‘the science of making machines do things that would require intelligence if done by men’. The book also covers man/machine communications and the reaction of the rest of the world to Japan’s initiative .
~0125 no 8
october 1983
The extensive bibliography suggest that Simons has scoured all the available literature on Fifth Generation to produce this book. It is very comprehensive, although a lot of reference to
new technologies could be better explained. On the whole though this a good compilation of the technologies likely to be incorporated into our future computers.
SurvivaltechniquesforDPMs Management Control of Data Processing by W H Inmon. Published by PrenticeHall International. X21.20. 326~~. The subtitle of this book, ‘Preventing Management-By-Crisis’ sets the tone for effective management being based on strategic planning, a clear view of the short and longer term requirements of the parent organization, and anticipating problems well in advance. The approach is based on considering data processing under 24 topics, which are presented in a managerial context with just sufficient technical detail to allow a strategic solution to be postulated. Each topic concludes with a case study, a set of multiple choice questions and some proposed exercises and essays. The author claims that his audience is managers, technical personnel and students. This breadth of approach risks failure to meet the requirements of any group. Managers will find the concentration on database and online systems useful, if their organization is about to move in this direction. They will find the sections on managerial controls, the management of growth and management style helpful to compare with their own approach. They will, however, find that the case studies, although taken from actual situations, are presented in an academic form, thus excluding the use of experience and judgement essential to success in management from their solution. Managers will find no assistance in determining how to cope with
the convergence of computing and telecommunication or how to avoid being squeezed out between user-developed microcomputer solutions below, and an information systems supremo imposed above. Students will find themselves introduced to the esote.ric world of data processing management. They will certainly be able to understand the material presented, whdch is well written and accompanied by a large number of excellent diagrams. They will be well equipped to answer exam questions, but the value of this knowledge for a first data processing job is much more questionable. Students cannot gain work experience in a teaching environment, but they c,an be given a good appreciation of basic financial and management accounting and personnel procedures. If the students can combine these with an appreciation of technical strategy, they should be able to understand, and make a better contribution within, the working environment. In the final chiapter, the author claims to have alerted the manager to the bare minimums for survival. Most managers expect to achieve a great deal more than merely to survive. The challenge to a future author must be to assist managers to provide the highest possible contribution to their organizations. ADRIAN LEPPER The Open University
43
~0125 no 8
october 1983
The extensive bibliography suggest that Simons has scoured all the available literature on Fifth Generation to produce this book. It is very comprehensive, although a lot of reference to
new technologies could be better explained. On the whole though this a good compilation of the technologies likely to be incorporated into our future computers.
SurvivaltechniquesforDPMs Management Control of Data Processing by W H Inmon. Published by PrenticeHall International. X21.20. 326~~. The subtitle of this book, ‘Preventing Management-By-Crisis’ sets the tone for effective management being based on strategic planning, a clear view of the short and longer term requirements of the parent organization, and anticipating problems well in advance. The approach is based on considering data processing under 24 topics, which are presented in a managerial context with just sufficient technical detail to allow a strategic solution to be postulated. Each topic concludes with a case study, a set of multiple choice questions and some proposed exercises and essays. The author claims that his audience is managers, technical personnel and students. This breadth of approach risks failure to meet the requirements of any group. Managers will find the concentration on database and online systems useful, if their organization is about to move in this direction. They will find the sections on managerial controls, the management of growth and management style helpful to compare with their own approach. They will, however, find that the case studies, although taken from actual situations, are presented in an academic form, thus excluding the use of experience and judgement essential to success in management from their solution. Managers will find no assistance in determining how to cope with
the convergence of computing and telecommunication or how to avoid being squeezed out between user-developed microcomputer solutions below, and an information systems supremo imposed above. Students will find themselves introduced to the esote.ric world of data processing management. They will certainly be able to understand the material presented, whdch is well written and accompanied by a large number of excellent diagrams. They will be well equipped to answer exam questions, but the value of this knowledge for a first data processing job is much more questionable. Students cannot gain work experience in a teaching environment, but they c,an be given a good appreciation of basic financial and management accounting and personnel procedures. If the students can combine these with an appreciation of technical strategy, they should be able to understand, and make a better contribution within, the working environment. In the final chiapter, the author claims to have alerted the manager to the bare minimums for survival. Most managers expect to achieve a great deal more than merely to survive. The challenge to a future author must be to assist managers to provide the highest possible contribution to their organizations. ADRIAN LEPPER The Open University
43