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Research and Advances

The cube-connected cycles: a versatile network for parallel computation

An interconnection pattern of processing elements, the cube-connected cycles (CCC), is introduced which can be used as a general purpose parallel processor. Because its design complies with present technological constraints, the CCC can also be used in the layout of many specialized large scale integrated circuits (VLSI). By combining the principles of parallelism and pipelining, the CCC can emulate the cube-connected machine and the shuffle-exchange network with no significant degradation of performance but with a more compact structure. We describe in detail how to program the CCC for efficiently solving a large class of problems that include Fast Fourier transform, sorting, permutations, and derived algorithms.
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Research and Advances

Updating a master file—yet one more time

For several years I have been teaching a file updating algorithm which is essentially the same as that in Dwyer's admirable paper [1]. There is one unjustified objection to the algorithm that perceptive students and people with batch processing experience almost invariably raise and which is not addressed by Dwyer. The objection is based on a situation which arises in a batch processing environment with several users, where key-ordered sequential update is used.
Research and Advances

Experience with a space efficient way to store a dictionary

The paper, “Computer Programs for Detecting and Correcting Spelling Errors” by James L. Peterson [3], listed methods for checking and correcting spelling errors. One significant method, however, was not included: a probabilistic technique suggested by Carter, Floyd, Gill, Markovsky, and Wegman [1]. The present note discusses aspects of these practical space efficient algorithms for testing set membership—a simple abstraction of looking a word up in a dictionary. An implementation of one of these algorithms uses only 20 percent of the space used by the Stanford SPELL program described by Peterson.
Research and Advances

The external auditor’s review of computer controls

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, coupled with growing demands for corporate accountability, have forced both auditors and computer administrators to evaluate computer based controls. Computer administrators can benefit from both a knowledge of an auditor's approaches to evaluating controls and his/her recommendations for control improvements. Here, a survey of the control evaluation practices and desirable control features identified by computer auditors is presented, along with recommendations to ease the burden of the auditor's review. The authors' suggestions should ease the tasks of internal control analysis and of preparation for possible public reports on an organization's system of internal control.
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Research and Advances

Another spelling correction program

We read James L. Peterson's article, “Computer Programs for Detecting and Correcting Spelling Errors” with great interest. We too have recently developed a spelling correction program as part of a tutorial on programming techniques and style. Our basic modesty inhibited us from publishing the details—there was, after all, little research involved in making the program. However, on reflection, there are several features in our design that we feel merit wider circulation.
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Research and Advances

On approaches to the study of social issues in computing

This paper identifies and analyzes technical and nontechnical biases in research on social issues in computing. Five positions—technicism, progressive individualism, elitism, pluralism, and radical criticism—which reflect major streams of contemporary social thought are examined. The analysis of positions documents the close relationship between research and policy formation and reveals the misleading and dangerous character of the presumption of scholarly objectivity in research on social issues.
Research and Advances

Educational programs in information systems: a report of the ACM curriculum committee on information systems

This report describes the status of educational programs in Information Systems at the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. levels. A survey was conducted during the period June 1977-June 1979 of schools of Business Administration, Departments of Computer Science, Engineering Colleges, and academic units offering programs in Information Systems. A one-page description of each program was then generated according to a standard format. This standardized description was used as a guide to summarize information about each program. The report outlines career opportunities in Information Systems and lists brief descriptions of positions available to graduates of Information Systems programs. The need for an Information Systems program and problem areas with respect to teaching information systems are discussed. The results of the survey include a listing of the most common names for the Information Systems program and an evaluation of the number of programs that met the guidelines established by the Curriculum Committee on Computer Education for Management in 1972 and 1973. A list of institutions by degree level that met the proposed guidelines is presented.
Research and Advances

Parallel programs: proofs, principles, and practice

Several principles are identified from work on the verification of parallel programs. Concrete examples of the ways these principles can be applied, even when formal verification is not the goal, are then described. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate ways in which the concepts of program verification yield insight into the programming process, programming languages, and program properties.
Research and Advances

The effect of programming team structures on programming tasks

The literature recognizes two group structures for managing programming projects: Baker's chief programmer team and Weinberg's egoless team. Although each structure's success in project management can be demonstrated, this success is clearly dependent on the type of programming task undertaken. Here, for the purposes of comparison, a third project organization which lies between the other two in its communication patterns and dissemination of decision-making authority is presented. Recommendations are given for selecting one of the three team organizations depending on the task to be performed.
Research and Advances

Computer scientists whose scientific freedom and human rights have been violated: a report of the ACM committee on scientific freedom and human rights

This report had its genesis before the establishment in February 1980 of the Committee on Scientific Freedom and Human Rights (CSFHR). In 1978 Paul Armer, chairman of the Committee on Computers and Public Policy (CCPP), asked Jack Minker of the University of Maryland to chair a Subcommittee on Human Rights and to prepare a report on the human rights of computer scientists. When CSFHR was formed it was natural to transfer this activity to it since one of the activities of CSFHR, as specified in its charter, is: Gathering data on systematic violations of scientific freedom and human rights and fully publicizing such data.… Careful attention will be given to assuring the validity of all data.
Research and Advances

Recommendations for master’s level programs in computer science: a report of the ACM curriculum committee on computer science

The ACM Committee on Curriculum in Computer Science has spent two years investigating master's degree programs in Computer Science. This report contains the conclusions of that effort. Recommendations are made concerning the form, entrance requirements, possible courses, staffing levels, intent, library resources, and computing resources required for an academic, professional, or specialized master's degree. These recommendations specify minimum requirements which should be met by any master's programs. The Committee believes that the details of a particular master's program should be determined and continually updated by the faculty involved. A single or a small number of model programs are not as appropriate at the graduate level as at the bachelor's level.

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