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Data are presented which show the execution characteristics of two types of commonly used programs in a large-scale, time-shared computer system. A software monitoring facility built into the supervisor was used for data collection during normal system operation. These data were analyzed, and results of this analysis are presented for a Fortran compiler and an interactive line file editor. Probability distribution functions and other data are given for such things as CPU intervals, I/O intervals, and the number of such intervals during execution. Empirical distributions are compared with simple theoretical distributions (exponential, hyperexponential, and geometric). Other data show paging characteristics of tasks as a function of the number of pages those tasks have in core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of a computer system is largely dependent upon the algorithms employed to allocate the system resources to the processes competing for them. Recent research in time-sharing paging systems has developed the working set model for program behavior, and a resource allocation strategy based on this model has been proposed. Two implementations along these principles have been reported, but it seems that in neither case have further results been announced. This report discusses the design and implementation of a dispatcher based on the working set principle, presents data to permit analysis of its behavior, and indicates future directions of research on methods of controlling a computer system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many recent computer system designs, hardware facilities have been provided for easing the problems of storage allocation. A method of characterizing dynamic storage allocation systems—according to the functional capabilities provided and the underlying techniques used—is presented. The basic purpose of the paper is to provide o useful perspective from which the utility of various hardware facilities may be assessed. A brief survey of storage allocation facilities in several representative computer systems is included as an appendix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several news briefs related to the computer industry. The question of reprogramming problems was discussed at the Association for Computing Machinery Reprogramming Conference held in Princeton, New Jersey from 1-3 June, 1965. An international conference on computational linguistics was held in New York City from May 19-21, 1965 discussing related issues. A booklet, "Records Protection in the Age of EDP," is released by the Safe Manufacturers National Association, New York City.

The article offers news briefs related to the computer industry. The First International Conference on computer programming was held at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado on April 15-16, 1965. Bunker Ramo Corp. has decided to discontinue the development of its control computer line after facing losses. The Institute for Scientific Information, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has developed an Automatic Subject Citation Alert (ASCA) after research on a retrieval system called citation indexing.

The article reports on computer software with ready-made programs, and how it changes manufacturing scheme and the entire computer industry. It notes that a computer program can change the computer from a general purpose unit to a highly specialized specifically built for a unique purpose, thus give the best results for its end users. Lacy Goosetree, sales manager for General Electronic Co., believes that software will have major effect not only on sales, but on the designs of computers as well.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues. Description of proprietary software packages; Importance of proprietary software packages in the computer field; Problems related to the access to the U.S. Government's scientific and technical information; Selection of IFIP Congresses sites.

A calendar of conferences and events for the computer industry is presented. On October 16-17, 1972 the Digitronics Users Association Conference will be held at The Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. On November 14-15, 1972, a Workshop on Quantized Computer Graphics Systems will be held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Illinois. On April 10-13, 1973, the Second International Conference on Programming Languages for Numerically Controlled Machine Tools will be held in Budapest, Hungary.

The article presents information on the 1970 Fall Joint Computer Conference that will be held in Houston, Texas, on November 17-19. The conference will have a truly Texas-sized setting, the Astrohall, the world's largest convention and exhibit structure. The technical program may also appear to be Texas-sized in view of its size and diversity. However, it is not so much the program that has grown as the computer industry. The program has therefore been expanded to reflect new developments in computer usage and technology while maintaining its emphasis on various subjects of continuing importance. One of the chief areas of interest is computer software, its present problems and future promises. Two sessions will be devoted on it. Session 21, chaired by M.A. Melkanoff, University of California at Los Angeles, is devoted to the three principal and self-excluding approaches to long-range programming language development being advocated today. A distinguished panel will present a position paper on each of the three approaches and a fourth position paper on relevant research problems.

The article provides information on the upcoming symposiums related to the computer engineering in 1966. A one-day symposium will be sponsored by ACM, SIAM and Florida State University on March 14 on "The Recommended Impact of Computer Applications on the Undergraduate Mathematics Curriculum." The four New York Metropolitan Area chapters will hold a one-day symposium in New York City on March 18. A session of invited papers will be devoted to "The Application of Computers to the Problems of a Metropolitan Society." In addition, a session of contributed papers on any topics in the computer field is now in the process of being organized . Automatic Data Processing exhibits and workshops headline the Federal Government Accountants Association 15th National Symposium, in Minneapolis, June 15-17. Topics include "Case Studies in ADP," "Programming: The Modern Budget Officer's Tool," and "The Future of Computers in the Federal Government." The Instrument Society of America (ISA) has invited papers for presentation at the 21st Annual ISA Conference and Exhibit, to be conducted October 24-27 in New York City. Theme of the meeting is "Instrumentation for an Urban Society."

The article presents the views of the authors who attended the International Federation for Information Processing Congress 65. One of the authors says that the conference provided an excellent opportunity to know about the latest developments in computing technology. Another author suggests that the conference was successful and made for a good experience. The third author thinks that it provided an excellent platform for discussion and exchange of ideas related to computing technology.

The article focuses on the objectives of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) for 1970. The ACM's literature is its most basic service to its members. Not every ACM member attends chapter meetings regularly; only a fraction of the members attend national conferences. But every member regularly receives the ACM publications. It is suggested that a fair fraction of the issues for the next two years be assigned to the largest and most active Special Interest Groups (SIG). Each designated SIG would be responsible for selecting and obtaining subject matter for one such special issue. The process of organizing the technical program for national conferences needs overhauling. The "call for papers" philosophy too often results in mish-mash sessions. Panel sessions can be simply excuses for delivering full papers--which escape refereeing and do not appear in the proceedings. The Professional Development program has had a very successful first year. It has brought high quality technical seminars to many cities throughout the country. It needs continued support, so as to offer more subjects in more cities. How can the ACM better serve the business data processing community, which represents over one-half of the computer field, for this the ACM needs a much more vigorous program addressed to supporting the technical competence of these people.

The article reports that the New York City Chapter reports that its 1905 Fall program of Advanced Business Systems Lectures was very well received by the greater New York computing community. The attendees, totaling more than 135, included people from cities as far as Princeton, New Jersey, and Norwalk and New Haven, Connecticut. Proceedings for the Advanced Business Systems Lectures are being compiled and will be distributed to all registrants. Course notes, as well as a reference manual, were prepared and given out to the Real Time Simulation and the Diagnostic Programming Courses. Plans are under way for the Spring; series and courses to start April 11, 1966.

This article presents information related to the revised algorithm policy of 1961. A contribution to the algorithms department must be in the form of an algorithm, a certification, or a remark. Contributions should be sent in duplicate to the editor, type written double-spaced in capital and lower-case letters. An algorithm must be written in the ALGOL 60 Reference Language, and normally consists of a commented procedure declaration. Each algorithm must be accompanied by a complete driver program in ALGOL 60 which generates test data, calls the procedure, and outputs test answers. Moreover, selected previously obtained test answers should be given in comments in either the driver program or the algorithm. The driver program may be published with the algorithm if it would be of major assistance to a user.

The article explores a set of computer software companies that is emerging in the computer industry. Some of these companies do programming, while others design and manage whole systems. The common denominator among bigger companies is rapid growth. For instance, Computer Applications Inc.'s revenues increased 148% to 17.6 million dollars between 1964 and 1966. Computer Sciences Corp. is expected to gross 50-55 million dollars in its fiscal year ending March 31, 1968.

The article focuses on the progress of American Standards Association (ASA) on establishing character codes for interchange of information on various machines and programming language. It states that the progress was reported by ASA during its 12th National Conference in Houston, Texas in October 1961. Meanwhile, Irving C. Liggett of Computer Usage Co. says that the data processing which was developed from punch-card equipment has been the real standard in the computer industry.