- Email: [email protected]
Design digits
DESIGN
"Light pen' comments on the application of modular programming techniques to c-a.d.
II
[31GITS
In the commercial world modular programming is an 'in' phrase. The concept of writing programs as a series of linked modules, communicating via an interface standard to one or more systems, has been successfully shown to shorten lead times between design and operation of complex software systems. The reasons for this are connected mainly with the checkout phase each module can be checked out using dummy data which can be processed by hand at the same time, for checking purposes, where necessary. This is exactly analogous to the electronic engineer breaking down a piece of complex equipment into operational modules, and testing each singly. Ideally, each suite of c-a.d, programs should be assembled in the same way. When F O R T R A N is used, programming standards
can be defined, whereby all the mathematics is performed by subroutines, which are linked via an administrative 'main program'. Parameter lists are not standardised within the language, but can be standardised within a given system. Such procedures are a first step towards modular c-a.d, systems, particularly if the functional subroutines a r e kept small - say 100 F O R T R A N statements. In the future, however, it will be desirable to 'cluster' such functional modules around a 'database' common to all routines. Standards for such databases are the subject of much current research, particularly in the U.S.A., and arrival in this country of a recent CODASYL report on this subject entitled 'A survey of Generalised Data Base Management Systems' is awaited with interest.
Design Electronics, in association with Sheffield University, is organising a 3-day.residential Conference on
microwave and laser instrumentation industrial applications
The conference fee is £28.0s. inclusive of residential accommodation, meals, preprints of the papers, etc.
SUMMER 1970
For further details, contact R. A. GANDERTON, Design Electronics Conference, Room 121, Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.1.
61
"Light pen' comments on the application of modular programming techniques to c-a.d.
II
[31GITS
In the commercial world modular programming is an 'in' phrase. The concept of writing programs as a series of linked modules, communicating via an interface standard to one or more systems, has been successfully shown to shorten lead times between design and operation of complex software systems. The reasons for this are connected mainly with the checkout phase each module can be checked out using dummy data which can be processed by hand at the same time, for checking purposes, where necessary. This is exactly analogous to the electronic engineer breaking down a piece of complex equipment into operational modules, and testing each singly. Ideally, each suite of c-a.d, programs should be assembled in the same way. When F O R T R A N is used, programming standards
can be defined, whereby all the mathematics is performed by subroutines, which are linked via an administrative 'main program'. Parameter lists are not standardised within the language, but can be standardised within a given system. Such procedures are a first step towards modular c-a.d, systems, particularly if the functional subroutines a r e kept small - say 100 F O R T R A N statements. In the future, however, it will be desirable to 'cluster' such functional modules around a 'database' common to all routines. Standards for such databases are the subject of much current research, particularly in the U.S.A., and arrival in this country of a recent CODASYL report on this subject entitled 'A survey of Generalised Data Base Management Systems' is awaited with interest.
Design Electronics, in association with Sheffield University, is organising a 3-day.residential Conference on
microwave and laser instrumentation industrial applications
The conference fee is £28.0s. inclusive of residential accommodation, meals, preprints of the papers, etc.
SUMMER 1970
For further details, contact R. A. GANDERTON, Design Electronics Conference, Room 121, Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.1.
61