Showing papers in "Ibm Systems Journal in 1981"

Natural language programming: styles, strategies, and contrasts

Abstract: Our objective in this study was to obtain detailed empirical information about the nature of natural language “programming” to bring to bear on the issueosf increasing the usability of computer language interfaces. Although we expected numerous difficulties to be detected concerning the potentioalf actually implementing a system to interpret natural language programs, we were not prepared for the magnitude of what we see as being the three major obstacles: style, semantics, and world knowledge. Concerning the first, there is little way in which the vast differences in styles could be increased: programming-language style is simply alien to natural specification. With respect to semantics, we also were unprepared to find out the extent to which the selection of the appropriate “meaning” (to a word, phrase, or sentence) is dependent upon the immediate and prior context. And as for world nowledge, we suspect that the extent to which shared experiences and knowledge are critical to procedural communication and understanding among people has barely been hintaetd by our present data.

A system for the automated office environment

Abstract: A review of the history of an office system application is presented, highlighting the learning process that took place during its evolutionary development. This ofice system has served as the basis for a PRPQ (customized program) recently announced by IBM and known as the Professional Office System (PROFS). The general application architecture is discussed, with a specific focus on the use of virtual machines. Functional details of the various components are described, and the key distinction between office systems and office automation is addressed. The paper also discusses usage of the system and points up some of the benefits being realized by current users of a prototype system in IBM. The application function review details the electronic document distribution capabilities of the system.

Interactive user productivity

Abstract: Interactive user productivity is a measure of effective communication between man and the computer. Explored in this paper is the relationship between computer response time and user performance, and the separation of user cost from system cost. Strategies for effectively managing installations are presented and discussed.

Human factors in communication

Abstract: One way of conceptualizing many of the human factors issues in interactive computing is as issues in communication about computers. Presented area framework for this conceptualization and a review of research addressed to several levels of the communication process. Communication as an ill-structured design process is analyzed and contrasted with a process of algorithmic encoding and decoding. The design framework is then applied to examinations of how people name and refer to entities, how people understand and express relations (quantifiers and other predicates) between entities, how more complex communications (business letters) are created, and how preprinted forms reflect previous knowledge.

A perspective on software science

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of a new approach to the measurement of software. The measurements are based on the count of operators and operands contained in a program. The measurement methodologies are consistent across programming language barriers. Practical significance is discussed, and areas are identified for additional research and validation.

Improving the usability of programming publications

Abstract: This paper summarizes the work of a study group on ways to improve the usability of publications that support programming products. Task orientation, an approach to providing, organizing, and packaging information, is covered, together with innovations to improve the usability of programming publications: ease-of-use education, measurement of user opinion, and incorporating usability into the publications development process.

Electronic information interchange in an office environment

Abstract: This paper describes an architectural approach that provides information interchange across a broad spectrum of user applications and office automation offerings. Some of the architectures described herein are currently implemented in existing IBM products. These and other architectures will provide the basis for document interchange capability between products such as the IBM 5520 Administrative System, the IBM System/370 Distributed Ofice Support System (DISOSS), and the IBM Displaywriter System. Specifically described is a document distribution architecture and its associated data streams. Transforms can be utilized to interchange between these data streams and others. A general overview of the architectures as opposed to a detailed technical description is provided. The architectures described are protocols for interchange between application processes; they do not address the specific user interface. The document distribution architectures utilize SNA for data transmission and communications control facilities.

Software simulation as a tool for usable product design

Abstract: A design exercise performed by human factors specialists is described. In this exercise a front-of-screen simulation of the Interactive Chart Utility was written before a working prototype was available in order to draft and test a series of on-line instructional (HELP) panels for incorporation into the final product. Trials were run in which the keyboard activity and utterances of naive subjects were recorded for later action replay, before and after redrafting the simulation. Three objective measures to detect the resulting improvement are considered, and the most robust identified.

Procedures of the human factors center at San Jose

Abstract: The work performed at the Human Factors Center located at IBM's development facility in San Jose, California, is representative of human factors work being done by groups of human factors specialists throughout IBM. A few of the projects that the Center was involved with are described as examples to show how human factors concerns are studied in the development of products and systems. The examples were selected to indicate the broad nature of the problems studied and include hardware and software areas. The complete scientific techniques used in the projects are not discussed in this paper so that the focus of discussion will be on the nature, scope, and methodology of the human factors work, The computing and data collection systems used for human factors tests are briefly discussed.

A primer on relational data base concepts

Abstract: Basic concepts of relational data base management systems are described Characteristics of the relational approach are identified and compared with present implementations of hierarchical and network data base systems Depending on the application, a user may experience one or more of the following benefits of relational systems described in this paper: ease of understanding, increased data independence, ease of use, sound theoretical basis, and generalized data definition Types of applications most suited to hierarchical and network data base systems are also compared and contrasted

Capacity analysis of the mass storage system

Abstract: Performance of the IBM 3850 Mass Storage System (MSS) is analyzed with a view toward workload planning. Simple analytical models are discussed. The notion of staging capacity of the MSS is defined and analyzed. The main result is a set of staging capacity curves that define the processing ability of the MSS to stage and destage data to support concurrent execution of the user programs.

Processor, I/O path, and DASD configuration capacity

Abstract: This paper extends a particular capacity planning approach to include usage accounting by business element of Input/output path and Direct Access Storage Device resources. A simple nonlinear procedure is outlined to size host configurations that can process workloads at specified rates. An important feature of the procedure is to take account of a law of diminishing returns, which is that doubling the number of components does not double the amount of work done. Discussed are configuration relationships involving TSO and DB/DC subsystem sizing, tuning, workload variability, data considerations, and hardware and software considerations. Typical, but hypothetical, examples are presented.

Foreword: the human side of computers

Abstract: So long as computers were simple and operated only by specialists, the human interface was relatively unimportant. The frustrations caused by complex procedures and software idiosyncrasies were borne by experts motivated to accept the challenge. But all that has changed. Not only are sophisticated systems becoming accessible to all, but there is growing concern about the quality of working life. As a result, information systems designers are increasingly being called upon to develop products that are easier to install, easier to service, and-above all-easier to use.

Improving system usability for business professionals

Abstract: As businesses increase their emphasis on productivity, data processing departments face rising demand for computer services from people with no data processing training or background. To be effective, these services must be easy to use. This article discusses some usability considerations and how they were applied in developing an end user system. It relates experiences and observations in developing a system that is marketed in Canada under the name Interactive Extension Facilities. This system is an extension to VM/370 and CMS and was developed by the IBM Canada Limited Laboratory (Toronto) to enhance the ability of business professionals to do their work without becoming data processing specialists.

System productivity facility

Abstract: This paper discusses the purpose and desig of a program called the System Productivity Facility (SPF). Perspective is provided by means of a brief summary of the earlier Structured Programming Facility (also termed SPF) and the requirements that led to a transformation of the earlier program into a new cross-system dialog manager. The new control facilities are explained to illustrate how the dialog manager supports a wide variety of interactive applications. Ways in which application development is simplified in the areas of data handling and display processing are explored. The purpose of the new table and file tailoring services is explained, and the error recovery philosophy is described.

The VM/370 resource limiter

Abstract: The VM/370 Resource Limiter (RESLIM), a facility available on the computer systems of the IBM Thomas, J. Watson Research Center, enables users, user management, and the site's Computing Center to monitor and contorl usage of various computing resources. If a user's consumption of a particular resource exceeds a previously established limit, RESLIM takes actions designed to improve system performance and resource availability. Possible actions include degrading the user's priority, forcing the user off the system, or simply sending a warning message to the user and/or other VM users.

Effects of manual style on performance in education and machine maintenance

Abstract: Discussed is a study of human factors that was designed to measure the time to perform maintenance using two types of manuals (format) presented in two media types, for a total of four conditions. The types of manuals were the then-current Field Engineering Maintenance Manual (FEMM) and Field Engineering Theory of Operation Manual (FETOM) in both hard copy and microfiche, and a new Graphic Integrated Manual (GIM) covering the same subject matter, also in hard copy and microfiche. The objective of the study was to compare performance in solving problems on an electromechanical machine, the IBM 5424 Multi-Funcfion Card Unit, through the use of standard and graphic integrated manuals in both hard copy and microfiche for that machine. Test results are analyzed and conclusions are presented. The general conclusion is that the new graphic integrated manuals in hard copy format lead to better performance both in education and on the job.

Human factors in the development of a family of plant data communication terminals

Abstract: Developing a set of terminals for users who had no computer experience and whose normal jobs could not be subject to interference involved human factors. Most of the design work focused on the keyboard and display interfaces of the terminals. Studies were made, alternative designs were considered, and tests were performed to ensure that the equipment was easy to use and provided acceptable speed and accuracy.