Books received for review

Books received for review

Books received for review Approaches to prototyping R Budde, K Kuhlenkamp, L Mathiassen and H Zullighoven (eds) Springer- Verlag (1984) 458 pp DM 59 T...

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Books received for review Approaches to prototyping R Budde, K Kuhlenkamp, L Mathiassen and H Zullighoven (eds) Springer- Verlag (1984) 458 pp DM 59 This volume comprises the proceedings of the working conference on prototyping held in Namur in October 1983. It reflects the division made by the conference organizers of the papers into four main 'theme' areas, which covered concepts, tools and experiences of prototyping, systems development and prototyping, very high level languages for prototyping, and prototyping and database design. The introduction does make it clear, however, that the distinctions between these areas are blurred. An attempt is made to define prototyping in the overview presentation at the start of the book and the rest of the papers are divided into the four theme areas. Basic in action S Dvorak and A Musset Butterworths (1984) 291 pp £14.95 This book is aimed at the serious user of Basic and examines various problems, developing the algorithmic techniques for their solutions. Their implementations are given in Basic and there is also a full explanation. The book includes about 125 Basic programs and subroutines. Instruction is offered in advanced and 'elegant' Basic programming and also in methods for problemsolving and data management on microprocessors. There is discussion of the requirements of a high-level programming language and this is followed by a description of Basic. A set of algorithms are included for problems in recursivity, numerical mathematics, graphs and networks, searching and sorting and combinatorial mathematics. Computer graphics and applications D Harris Chapman and Hall (1984) 174 pp £9.95 This book is an introduction to the principles and uses of computer graphics. It describes how the hardware works, the different types of software needed and covers various applications, including art, animation, architecture,

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business, chemistry, defence, design and simulation. Each chapter suggests projects to be undertaken and the final chapter examines case studies on games, calligraphy and computer-aided learning on microcomputers. The book is aimed at computer science students, or computer professionals who need an introduction to the field or for users of microcomputers who wish to develop their graphics capabilities.

How to solve it by computer R G Dromey Prentice-Hall International (1982) 442 pp E17.95 This is a volume in Prentice-Hall's Computer Science series (edited by C A R Hoare) and it is aimed at the computer science student. Problemsolving by computer is introduced and fundamental algorithms are discussed. Factoring methods, array techniques and ways of merging, sorting and searching information are all subjects given individual attention in single chapters. Other chapters cover such topics as text processing and pattern searching and dynamic data structure algorithms. The final chapter is devoted to an examination of recursive algorithms. Measurement and instrumentation for control M G Mylroi and G Calvert (eds) Peter Peregrinus Ltd (1984) 284 pp £20. O0 This book is a member of the lEE Control Engineering Series and examines the problems of instrumentation and measurement with a particular regard for the implementation of control systems. Consideration is given to the problems of process measurement covering flow, temperature, pressure, force, weight and level as well as control valves and actuators. The problems of automatic inspection and metrology are covered as are analytical instruments and measurement. Errors and uncertainty in measu rements and instruments are discussed together with the use of mathematical modelling in sensor design and the implications to measurement of the microprocessor.

A case study concludes the book and highlights the problems encountered in the development of an instrument to solve a particular industrial problem. 7th International conference on automated deduction R E Shostak Springer-Verlag (1984) 508 pp DM 57 This volume of the Lecture notes in computer science series contains the papers presented at the 7th international conference on automated deduction which was held in California in May 1984. The conference series is a forum for reporting research in all aspects of automated deduction, including the design, implementation and applications of theorem-proving systems, knowledge representation and retrieval, program verification, logic programming, formal specification, program synthesis and related areas. The papers include the keynote address by J H Siekmann on universal unifaction and several on the use of theoremprovers (including a case study). There are 29 papers altogether covering various aspects of automated deduction.

The engineer and society ] D Radford Macmillan Publishers Ltd (1984) 209pp £10.00 This book provides coverage of the management aspects studied by students preparing for the 'engineer in society' paper of the Council of Engineering Institutions. It is also aimed at practising technologists who wish to broaden the basis of their activities and extend the understanding of their work. The historical developments of engineering technology are reviewed and the types of organization for whom an engineer is likely to work are discussed. The importance of marketing is highlighted and the legal aspects of an engineer's work are considered. One chapter is devoted to the financial aspects that an engineer needs to be conversant with. The final two chapters examine the engineer's role in the design of a manufacturing system and subsequently its operation and control.

computer-aided design