ppxscal/embedding_network huggingface dataset:
SIGIR(Tutorial Session)
Authors: David Lefkovitz, Julius T. Tou, Chung-Shu Yang
Venue: Proceedings of the 1976 annual conference (1976)

File organizations which support interactive retrieval for large data bases is a major concern of information system designers. This session explores recent advances in the design of such organizations. Two speakers will address themselves specifically to the file organizations of existing interactive retrieval systems and present relevant operational statistics of the systems. A third reviews recent developments in the design and evaluation of file organizations. Comparisons of the costs of querying and updating conventional organizations, clustered organizations and a new class of hybrid list organizations are presented.
Software development productivity
Authors: Arthur Pyster
Venue: Proceedings of the ACM '82 conference (1982)

Improving the productivity of software development projects is the greatest challenge the computing industry faces in this decade. People are both the bottleneck and the dominant cost in most software development projects. The thousand-fold improvement in hardware performance over the past three decades is intoxicating compared to the lack-luster seven-fold to ten-fold improvement in people performance. The pace of technological advance in hardware shows no sign of abating &mdash; if anything it is accelerating. Nothing so encouraging can be said for people productivity; however, significant gains can be achieved. Improving people productivity by an order of magnitude by the end of this decade is an ambitious, but attainable goal. Companies such as Xerox have already made massive investments to improve productivity and boast of having one of the most productive (and loyal) workforces in the computing industry. Others, such as TRW, have more recently started projects to improve developer productivity, and are already beginning to see gains, but face unique problems associated with their different business area. Still others are just beginning (or haven't yet begun) to understand the importance of a well-funded corporate-level program to tackle productivity. This panel will address what is being done at places such as TRW, Xerox, and Ford Aerospace to improve software development productivity and to discuss the problems which they and others face in integrating improved productivity practices into their corporations.
Factors influencing business data processors turnover - a comparative case history
Authors: P. A. Bradford, L. R. Cottrell
Venue: Proceedings of the 1977 annual conference (1977)

Historically computer personnel have had the reputation of working for the profession and not the company. In this relatively new field the data processor has enjoyed a mobility of job opportunities between industries that just does not exist in most other professions. This tool &ldquo;the computer&rdquo; is being used more and more extensively in diverse applications as manpower and related costs increase and the computer power costs decrease. The practitioners within the computer field then find themselves in the enviable position of the demand usually exceeding the supply in a very wide variety of scientific, academic, industrial, governmental and professional arenas. This is well and good for the computer professional but it has a profound adverse effect upon the various employers that must contend with this turnover. Very little has been published on this very real problem. There has been very little sharing of information between employers about this problem, its extent, the underlying reasons, or techniques that have been used in an attempt to reduce the rate of turnover of the computer professional. The reaction when asking employers for this type of information makes it easy to see why little has been published on this subject. Many employers seem to think this inevitable social disease is bad enough to endure much less discuss. Perhaps for some, it is a relief to not have a yardstick by which they can be measured. For whatever the reason, specific detailed information is difficult to collect.
A software design and evaluation system
Authors: Robert M. Graham, Gerald J. Clancy,  Jr., David B. DeVaney
Venue: Proceedings of the SIGOPS workshop on System performance evaluation (1971)

One of the most difficult problems facing the software designer and implementer is that of evaluating the performance of a proposed design before it is actually implemented. Pre-implementation evaluation is invaluable in assisting the designer to meet the specified performance objectives of the system being designed. This problem of meeting objectives is particularly severe for large multi-programmed, multi-processing operating systems. These systems have become so complex that even the most experienced system designer is unable to evaluate a system's performance using intuition alone. Use of more formal methods is required. Existing techniques are handicapped by a severe time lag. To avoid costly re-implementation, feedback must get to the designers before the design is &ldquo;cast in concrete.&rdquo; In this paper we describe a system which provides performance information at all stages in the design and implementation of a software system (which we will call the object system). Using this feedback the designer can spot the problems which adversely affect performance early enough in the design-implementation sequence that they can be corrected without having to reimplement much of the object system. The key idea in our design and evaluation system is to use a single language to describe the object system at all stages of its design and implementation. This evolving source language description of the object system is used as direct input to the evaluation procedures. The initial sketch of the system's structure and data bases, which is the gross design specification, evolves into a final, detailed implementation specification which can be compiled into executable object code. As soon as any part of the object system is specified some evaluation information is available. As the design becomes more detailed this information becomes more precise. Thus, a fairly detailed and precise picture of the object system's performance is developed before it is implemented.
Design process analysis: A measurement and analysis technique
Authors: Kenneth D. Yates
Venue: Proceedings of the 17th Design Automation Conference (1980)

The range of services provided by design automation computing centers covers a broad spectrum. At one end of this spectrum is the center which provides pure computation power only. It is the user's responsibility to select, install, and tune the applications as well as to debug the resultant output. At the other end, it is the turnkey center which provides a near total service, relegating the user to job selection from a fixed set of installed applications with which to accomplish the design task. The most effective design automation center combines the healthy attributes of these two extremes: buffering the user from I/S considerations, freeing him to concentrate on the design task; and providing the I/S center with application understanding and involvement to allow for proper system tuning. The management information technique to achieve the desired objectives of improved user productivity and cycle time is referred to as design process analysis (DPA). Detailed definitions of the data flow nodes as well as samples of the type of output obtainable from such a DPA system are covered in the presentation. Management of an effective design automation center is a demanding and ongoing task, combining the skill levels of people, the capabilities of the DA applications, and the processing power of the computer center. Tuning this combination in a disciplined and orderly manner to provide the most timely and cost effective solutions to design problems requires an automatic data collection system driving a dynamic model of the design process. Utilizing the techniques of design process analysis, such an objective can be met
A combined evaluation of performance and reliability for degradable systems
Authors: Ragnar Huslende
Venue: ACM SIGMETRICS Performance Evaluation Review (1981)

As the field of fault-tolerant computing is maturing and results from this field are taken into practical use the effects of a failure in a computer system need not be catastrophic. With good fault-detection mechanisms it is now possible to cover a very high percentage of all the possible failures that can occur. Once a fault is detected, systems are designed to reconfigure and proceed either with full or degraded performance depending on how much redundancy is built into the system. It should be noted that one particular failure may have different effects depending on the circumstances and the time at which it occurs. Today we see that large numbers of resources are being tied together in complex computer systems, either locally or in geographically distributed systems and networks. In such systems it is obviously very undesirable that the failure of one element can bring the entire system down. On the other hand one can usually not afford to design the system with sufficient redundancy to mask the effect of all failures immediately.
The lazy repairman and other models: Performance collapse due to overhead in simple, single-server queuing systems
Authors: John E. Shore
Venue: Proceedings of the 1980 international symposium on Computer performance modelling, measurement and evaluation (1980)

We consider two simple models of overhead in batch computer systems and demand access communications systems. The first, termed &ldquo;modified M/M/1/K, &rdquo; is an exponential, single-server queuing system with finite storage capacity, constant arrival rate, and queue-length-dependent service time. We consider cases in which the expected service time consists of a constant plus a term that grows linearly or logarithmically with the queue length. We show that the performance of this system&mdash;as characterized by the expected number of customers in the system, the expected time in the system, and the rate of missed customers&mdash;can collapse as the result of small changes in the arrival rate, the overhead rate, or the queue capacity. The system has the interesting property that increasing the queue capacity can decrease performance. In addition to equilibrium results, we consider the dynamic behavior of the model. We show that the system tends to operate in either of two quasi-stable modes of operation&mdash;one with low queue lengths and one with high queue lengths. System behavior is characterized by long periods of operation in both modes with abrupt transitions between them. We point out that the performance of a saturated system may be improved by dynamic operating procedures that return the system to the low mode. In the second model, termed the &ldquo;lazy repairman, &rdquo; the single server has two distinct states: the &ldquo;busy&rdquo; state and the &ldquo;lazy&rdquo; state. Customers receive service only when the server is in the busy state; overhead is modeled by attributing time spent in the lazy state to overhead functions. When the expected time spent in the lazy state increases with the number of customers waiting for service, the behavior of the lazy repairman model is similar to the modified M/M/1/K, although the lazy repairman model makes it easier to study in detail the effects of overhead.
SIGCUE (Paper and Panel Session)
Authors: Edward E. Green, Alfred Bork, Bill Bowman
Venue: Proceedings of the 1976 annual conference (1976)

Presentations will focus on current research in effective strategies for visual representation of information in a graphical context. Topics of concern are: What combination of textual and graphical information is most effective for a given purpose? What are advantages of color vs. black and white? When is a dynamic or evolving presentation more effective than a static one? What do we know about effectiveness of various positions in the display and time of exposure? How little information is needed to convey a given idea?
Data administration and the DBTG report
Authors: Robert W. Taylor
Venue: Proceedings of the 1974 ACM SIGFIDET (now SIGMOD) workshop on Data description, access and control (1974)

The April, 1971, Data Base Task Group Report has already had a profound impact on the data base management community. At least five currently released systems claim to follow the report's guidelines. Yet the report was criticized at the time of its release for the lack of data independence in the Data Manipulation Language and excessive bookkeeping required of an application programmer. This paper demonstrates the use of a macro pre-processor which can increase data independence and greatly alleviate many of these shortcomings.
Direct manipulation: A step beyond programming languages (abstract only)
Authors: Ben Shneiderman
Venue: Proceedings of the joint conference on Easier and more productive use of computer systems. (Part - II): Human interface and the user interface - Volume 1981 (1981)

Direct manipulation is a style of interaction which has been used by implementers of widely varying systems. Direct manipulation permits novice users access to powerful facilities without the burden of learning to use a complex syntax and lengthy list of commands. Display editors use direct manipulation more than line editors. Form-fill-in is more direct than tag fields and delimiters. Spatial data management is more direct than query-by-example, which is more direct than SEQUEL. Computer arcade games and Visicalc are further examples.Direct manipulation involves three interrelated techniques:1. Provide a physically direct way of moving a cursor or manipulating the objects of interest.2. Present a concrete visual representation of the objects of interest and immediately change the view to reflect operations.3. Avoid using a command language and depend? on operations applied to the cognitive model which is shown on the display.
A core based curriculum for a master's degree
Authors: L. E. Winslow, L. A. Jehn
Venue: Proceedings of the thirteenth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education (1982)

The recently proposed curricula for a master's degree present problems for a department with limited resources. This paper discusses the proposed curricula, their goals and problems, and then presents a new curriculum based upon a set of core courses. The new curriculum simultaneously satisfies two of the proposed curricula, yet imposes lower demands upon the department's resources.
FAD, a functional programming language that supports abstract data types
Authors: Johannes J. Martin
Venue: Proceedings of the ACM 1980 annual conference (1980)

The paper outlines the programming language FAD. FAD is a functional programming system of the kind described by Backus (Backus78]. FAD supports abstract data types, parameterized types, and generic functions. A single scope rule establishes the encapsulation requirements for data type specification and program structuring. Certain syntactic additions improve program readability as compared to pure functional notation.
Hazard detection by a quinary simulation of logic devices with bounded propagation delays
Authors: Daniel W. Lewis
Venue: Proceedings of the 9th Design Automation Workshop (1972)

Effective logic simulation programs must consider device propagation delays to be bounded values. This requires that the logic devices be simulated by models which use a multi-valued logical algebra. A quinary algebra is developed and employed in special algorithms which not only accurately predict the behavior of a logic circuit for all values of delay, but also detect the possibility of latent hazards and race conditions. A sample problem is simulated, and conclusions drawn.
A fault simulator for MOS LSI circuits
Authors: A. K. Bose, P. Kozak, C-Y Lo, H. N. Nham, E. Pacas-Skewes, K. Wu
Venue: Proceedings of the 19th Design Automation Conference (1982)

This paper describes a fault simulator for MOS LSI circuits. The basic primitives for this simulator are MOS transistor structures where the transistors are evaluated logically. The simulator provides the capability of modeling and simulating both the classical input/output stuck-at faults and the non-classical transistor stuck-on and stuck-open faults.
The stepwise approach to introductory programming projects with examples
Authors: Jeanne L. Sebaugh
Venue: Proceedings of the ACM SIGCSE-SIGCUE technical symposium on Computer science and education (1976)

This paper primarily discusses the problem of the initial projects to be used in introducing students to a programming language. Examples are given of projects used for time-shared BASIC. Because of the expense, CAI was not considered practical for use in the introductory courses, even though the TUTOR series of courses (to learn BASIC) was available.
Trace-driven systems modeling
Authors: J. F. Grant
Venue: Proceedings of the 6th conference on Winter simulation (1973)

Predicting the effect of changes made to computer operating systems is an extremely difficult task. Where possible, to a limited extent, some modeling has been done; however, because of its complexity, this modeling has been isolated to areas of very high cost or high priority real-time systems. Trace-driven modeling is a procedure for alleviating both the high cost and difficulty of simulating changes made to computer system environments. As a result, this approach could make computer systems models an everyday tool well within the reach of the average operation. This paper describes the attributes of the trace portion of this modeling approach and how its output might be used to drive various system models.
Simulation model of a public enquiry system: Application case study in revenue Canada, taxation
Authors: S. Bose, E. Kitcher
Venue: Proceedings of the 16th annual symposium on Simulation (1983)

Revenue Canada is required to maintain a taxpayer telephone enquiry service. To be effective, there is a need to strike an optimal balance between equipment capability, personnel roster and expected taxpayer satisfaction. This optimal mix is determined using simulation models which forecast expected hourly telephone traffic and the number of lines and operators mix required to provide an expected level of taxpayer service. Application of another decision support model using multi-criteria optimization technique has been made to select the best technology.
Summary of the current state of microprocessor technology
Authors: A. J. Nichols
Venue: Proceedings of the 1975 annual conference (1975)

The last several months have been very exciting ones in the microprocessor area. All of us in the computer science or engineering professions have been bombarded with articles, surveys, and new product announcements. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a single technical publication without some mention of these devices. More interestingly, we are beginning to see wide recognition of the future of microprocessors outside of our technical professions. The application potentials of these devices is considerable and the layman is beginning to realize the changes made possible by these tiny pieces of silicon.
Maniac: A preliminary machine approach to the ACM CS 3 course
Authors: G. Yates Fletcher, Larry F. Hodges, Stephen G. Worth,  III
Venue: ACM SIGCSE Bulletin (1984)

The vast amount of machine-dependent details which must be covered concurrently with general architecture and assembly language concepts often hinder the student from assimilating the main objectives of the ACM CS 3 course. Current instructional strategies are ineffective in building a comprehensive framework of basic concepts from which machine and programming details can be understood. A new approach is required if our students are to complete this course with an understanding of some of the larger issues of computer architecture rather than scattered details of some particular assembly language. In this paper we present both an instructional tool and a corresponding instructional strategy for the CS 3 course. The tool, MANIAC, is a simulated machine which is used to introduce students to the basic concepts of computer architecture and assembly language. The strategy, the preliminary machine approach, is designed to integrate the use of MANIAC with the teaching of the architecture and assembly language of an actual machine such as the PDP-11 or IBM/370.
An integral approach to user assistance
Authors: Robert S Fenchel
Venue: Proceedings of the joint conference on Easier and more productive use of computer systems. (Part - II): Human interface and the user interface - Volume 1981 (1981)

User assistance is incorporated into some of today's interactive computing systems. The assistance is rarely consistent in its accuracy, availability, accessibility or style. In this paper we discuss general requirements for assistance systems and a characterization of different types of assistance which may be provided users. A technique for integrating the design of an assistance system with the design of an interactive computing system is described. The technique satisfies the expressed requirements and greatly facilitates the development of assistance systems. Finally, a brief discussion of techniques for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of an interactive assistance system is presented.
An efficient form of inverse for sparse matrices
Authors: Wm. Orchard-Eays
Venue: Proceedings of the 1956 11th ACM national meeting (1956)

In attempting to shorten linear programming computations, Dr. Harry Markowitz proposed, in 1954, a method for inverting a sparse matrix based on selective elimination and re-substitution. By minimizing the number of non-zero multipliers and addends used in applying the inverse, the computation time is cut sharply. After a slight modification, it was found possible to put all the resulting transformations in the same format as the standard product form of inverse, long used in the simplex method, and a code for the JOHNNIAC computer using this method has proved very efficient. We will merely illustrate the method with an example.
An experiment in table driven code generation
Authors: Susan L. Graham, Robert R. Henry, Robert A. Schulman
Venue: Proceedings of the 1982 SIGPLAN symposium on Compiler construction (1982)

We have constructed a local code generator for the VAX-112 using a parser-like instruction pattern matcher. The code generator replaces the second pass of the UNIX3 Portable &ldquo;Crdquo; compiler. This paper describes the design of the code generator and the special considerations imposed by the pattern matching process. We summarize the structure of the machine description grammar and its associated semantic actions, as well as the tools we developed to manipulate the large VAX description. In our experience, this approach makes the instruction selection phase of the compiler easier and faster to implement, and more likely to be correct than traditional techniques.
Interactive computer graphics in medical information retrieval and classification
Authors: David A. Thompson
Venue: ACM SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics (1972)

The size of the body of medical literature is vast and growing at a rapid rate. The National Library of Medicine collection contains about two million items and at the present rate of growth will double in about 7 years. Attempts to improve the access to medical literature by professional practitioners, para-medical personnel, and life science researchers has principally included the MEDLARS service, a telephone/mail query service operating in batch mode; and interactive retrieval services operating on-line over long distance telephone lines such as AIM-TWX, developed by Systems Development Corporation.