a processor for providing friendly environments for frequently used application packages
Operating systems are not friendly environments for one of the largest class of new computer users - the non-specialist who uses only a few of the many tools available. The Question Response System (QRS) is a processor in which an interactive dialogue between such a non-specialist user and the computer can be easily implemented. For each principal application package, a computer specialist designs the questions and conditions linking them for the dialogue that, when processed by QRS, guides the user in providing the pertinent data necessary for execution. Such a dialogue provides insulation from the sometimes confusing and bewildering conventions and details of the job control language. Interactive sessions also provide assistance with the application system requirements through prompting, error checking, and providing detailed explanations where requested. The user may recall past sessions of a similar nature under QRS, thereby permitting entry of only those parameters or specifications that are novel to the current run. A custom coded interface uses the file of responses and QRS routines for accessing file elements by name to produce the files necessary to perform the required application tasks.
processor environments applications packaging systems class computation users users tools response interaction dialogue design linking data control language requirements errors explanation custom interfaces natural language programming operating system interface user environment user