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Visual Programming
Literature Review Section
121
McGovern, T. Data Communications: Concepts and Applications (Scarborough, Canada: Prentice-Hall of Canada, 1988), 359 pp. There are so many books today with similar titles, it's difficult to get any sense of what differentiates them all. This text is written in a simple style and is obviously meant to be a primer for further work in the field, but it doesn't cover anything new. It is written well, but the only obvious market may be the Canadian o n e - a n d this reviewer is not certain of what competition there may be. Judge for yourselves on this one, folks!
Chu, N. C. Visual Programming (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988), 315 pp. This is an advanced book written by a senior scientific staff member at the IBM Los Angeles Scientific Center. While the language used in the book is definitely geared toward the "visual programming literate," it is a useful book and very comprehensive in the areas it discusses. The diagrams are simple, but effective, and add an expressive dimension to the text. The author continually draws on the metaphor that visual programming "represents a recent attempt to exploit our nonverbal capabilities," and she effectively exploits that metaphor throughout the book, thereby presenting a simple, unifying theme to integrate the more specific details presented.
Jones, R. The Complete Guide to Corporate Desktop Publishing (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1988), 132 pp. The title of this book is accurate, and the intended audience is the individual who would like to make better use of the control afforded by desktop publishing. The author is knowledgeable, and the book's appearance is a good indication that he can practice what he proffers. Sections include how to choose the right system for the job, practical hints for designing your message, and running the system smoothly. A helpful handbook, easily understood by people of all levels of expertise.
McConnell, J. Internetworking Computer Systems (Englewood Cliffs, N J: Prentice Hall, 1988), 318 pp. This is a highly specialized text aimed at the new environment created by computer-tocomputer communication. The author's claims to gear the book toward the professional dealing with the practical problems of constructing networking services are accommodated nicely. However, the question of who that professional may be is a little less certain. While some of the wording and jargon indicates that the user should have a thorough knowledge of systems and design, this book will do little for the advancement of the typical user of the system.
121
McGovern, T. Data Communications: Concepts and Applications (Scarborough, Canada: Prentice-Hall of Canada, 1988), 359 pp. There are so many books today with similar titles, it's difficult to get any sense of what differentiates them all. This text is written in a simple style and is obviously meant to be a primer for further work in the field, but it doesn't cover anything new. It is written well, but the only obvious market may be the Canadian o n e - a n d this reviewer is not certain of what competition there may be. Judge for yourselves on this one, folks!
Chu, N. C. Visual Programming (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988), 315 pp. This is an advanced book written by a senior scientific staff member at the IBM Los Angeles Scientific Center. While the language used in the book is definitely geared toward the "visual programming literate," it is a useful book and very comprehensive in the areas it discusses. The diagrams are simple, but effective, and add an expressive dimension to the text. The author continually draws on the metaphor that visual programming "represents a recent attempt to exploit our nonverbal capabilities," and she effectively exploits that metaphor throughout the book, thereby presenting a simple, unifying theme to integrate the more specific details presented.
Jones, R. The Complete Guide to Corporate Desktop Publishing (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1988), 132 pp. The title of this book is accurate, and the intended audience is the individual who would like to make better use of the control afforded by desktop publishing. The author is knowledgeable, and the book's appearance is a good indication that he can practice what he proffers. Sections include how to choose the right system for the job, practical hints for designing your message, and running the system smoothly. A helpful handbook, easily understood by people of all levels of expertise.
McConnell, J. Internetworking Computer Systems (Englewood Cliffs, N J: Prentice Hall, 1988), 318 pp. This is a highly specialized text aimed at the new environment created by computer-tocomputer communication. The author's claims to gear the book toward the professional dealing with the practical problems of constructing networking services are accommodated nicely. However, the question of who that professional may be is a little less certain. While some of the wording and jargon indicates that the user should have a thorough knowledge of systems and design, this book will do little for the advancement of the typical user of the system.