Computing Applications
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An efficient composite formula for multidimensional quadrature
A (2s+1)-point, second-degree quadrature formula for integration over an s-dimensional hyper-rectangle is presented. All but one of the points lie on the surface with weights of opposite sign attached to points on opposite faces. When a large volume is subdivided into congruent rectangular subdivisions, only one point is required in each interior subdivision to achieve second-degree accuracy.
A fast procedure for generating normal random variables
A technique for generating normally distributed random numbers is described. It is faster than those currently in general use and is readily applicable to both binary and decimal computers.
On the numerical solution of boundary value problems for linear ordinary differential equations
A numerical method is presented for the solution of boundary value problems involving linear ordinary differential equations. The method described is noniterative and makes use of any one-step numerical integration scheme to reduce the problem from one of boundary values to one of initial values. Comments are made concerning some numerical results of applying the method to a specific problem. In addition an extension of the algorithm described to more general problems is discussed.
Use of the disk file on stretch
The paper begins by briefly describing the Stretch (IBM 7030) computer with special emphasis given to the organization and operation of its input-output equipment. Physical characteristics of the two-disk system (4,194,304 72-bit words, 8 µsec-per-word transmission rate, etc.) are noted. Timing limitations due to arm motion and disk rotation are discussed.
Applications of disk usage are discussed separately for problem programs and for systems programs such as compilers and the supervisory program. Approximately 260,000 words of disk storage are reserved for the storage of systems programs and the subroutine library. Problem programs, however, are not currently filed on the disk.
Certain programming techniques are discussed for transmitting words between disk and core storage with minimum delaying and interruption of the arithmetic unit. Dumps on disk are considered for both recovery from computer malfunction and for mathematical or physical developments during the calculation.
Computation’s development critical to our society
The ACM's growth continues: we are now at 13,000 members; expenses also grow. Our professional membership does not spring from a uniformly trained group as in mathematics or physics or even economics. Instead, our increasing membership comes from what I might call intellectual adventures—pioneers in an over-organized society—who see great futures in computing at all levels of aspiration.
A comparison of disks and tapes
The principal characteristics of current magnetic disks and tape units are summarized and compared. Some of the characteristics of disk files are illustrated in a sorting example and compared to a tapesort. The conclusion is presented that disk files are competitive to tapes in some important applications.
DATA-DIAL: two-way communication with computers from ordinary dial telphones
An operating system is described which allows users to call up a remotely located computer from ordinary dial telephones. No special hardware or connections are required at the users' telephones. Input to the computer is through the telephone dial; output from the computer is in spoken form. Results of a test with telephones in the Boston area are reported.
Report on proposed American standard flowchart symbols for information processing
This paper presents the essential contents of the Proposed American Standard Flowchart Symbols for Information Processing. This is the first proposed standard prepared by Subcommittee X3.6 on Problem Description and Analysis of the American Standards Association (ASA).
An experiment in automatic verification of programs
How effective is a compiler at replacing explicit verification, and what is the cost of this technique?
Character addressable, variable field computers permit ready establishment and manipulation of variable width stacks. Single machine commands may push variable field items down into such stacks or pop them up. The availability of a variety of field delimiters allows the machine to push down or pop up more than one variable width item with one command. Since these stacking operations can be made the basis of compiler decoding algorithms, the proper use of machines of this class for compilation has advantages over machines with fixed-length words.
An automatic data acquisition and inquiry system using disk files
Lockheed Missiles and Space Company has installed a large-scale Automatic Data Acquisition (ADA) system which ties together the Company's manufacturing facilities located in Van Nuys and Sunnyvale, California. The system includes over 200 Remote Input Stations which collect and transmit Company operating data to a central Data Processing Center. Two RCA 301 EDP Systems are used to record and control the flow of data transmitted to the Data Processing Center. A large capacity RCA 366 Data Disc File is used to store information required to provide up-to-date information in response to inquiries received from remotely located Inquiry Stations. In addition to storage of data on the disk files, the system automatically records all incoming and outgoing data on magnetic tape to be used as input to the Company's conventional off-line business data processing applications.
A contour-map program for x-ray crystallography
A FORTRAN program is described for use with the IBM 7090 system and an x, y-plotter to produce a contour map. A matrix of points evenly spaced in each dimension is contoured. Scale factors along the axes may be different and the axes need not be perpendicular.
Simulation and analysis of biochemical systems: I. representation of chemical kinetics
In the study of problems in chemical kinetics in ordinary solution, reactions which may be represented by chemical equations of the form3 A + B = C + D (1) are represented kinetically by the differential equations d(C)/dt = d(D/dt = -d(A)/dt = - d(B)/dt = k(A)(B) (2) where (A), (B), (C), ··· , are the concentrations of A, B, C, ··· , and k is the kinetic constant for the reaction (assuming it to be occurring in ordinary solution).
Soviet cybernetics and computer sciences, 1960
This article records observations on Soviet research and technology in cybernetics and computer science, made by the author during a visit to the Soviet Union as a delegate to the IFAC Congress on Automatic Control held in Moscow in the summer of 1960.
What is proprietary in mathematical programming?— impressions of a panel discussion
A panel discussion on “What is Proprietary in Mathematical Programming?” was sponsored by the Special Interest Committee on Mathematical Programming of the ACM during a Hall of Discussion/on September 7th at the 16TH National ACM meeting in Los Angeles. This note consists solely of the impressions garnered by the moderator of the panel and does not necessarily represent the position of any of the panelists or other participants in the discussion.
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