Design of Real Time Computer Systems (Hardback)

Condition

GOOD: The book's cover, binding, and pages are in good condition, showing minimal signs of wear. The pages are beginning to tan with age (1967). The dust jacket has served its purpose well by showing the majority of the wear. There is no writing or highlighting; however, the previous bookstore placed a faint price ink stamp on the book's title page and there is a small ink stain on the last end page at the back of the book.

Product Details

Possibly the most unique feature of this book is the flowchart titled "How to Read This Book " found between the Table of Contents and the Introduction. The author asks the question "Are you: " and then lists the various categories of: General Management; Data Processing Management; Systems Analyst or University Student; Programmer; Installing an On-line System; Computer Salesman; or Just Generally Interested. Once this is determined he uses the flowchart structure to direct you to the chapters best suited for your reason for using the book.

Although the pictures within the book are certainly out-of-date (circa 1967), the book provides a background into the design of real-time computer systems, the thought process of which is as valid today as when it was written. As an example, the portion of Chapter 40 on Critical Path Scheduling is one of the most important things you will learn as a Systems Engineer. If the critical path isn't met on a project, the likelihood of having a successful system delivery is extremely low.

Chapters include:

1. Introduction
2. The Basic Building Blocks
3. Basic Techniques
4. Response Time
5. Time Sharing Systems
6. Reliability and Standby
7. The Man-Machine Interface
8. Conversations With a Computer
9. The Organization of Data in the Processing Unit
10. The Programs
11. The Flow of Work Through a Typical System
12. Basic Functions of an On-line System
13. The Real-Time Computer in a Technical System
14. The Information System in a Business Environment
15. Airline Reservations
16. Banking
17. Message Switching
18. Manufacturing Control
19. The Computers
20. Telecommunication Facilities
21. Terminals and Displays
22. Planning the Data Files
23. The Critical Factors
24. The Estimating Process
25. Simulations
26. Probability and Queuing Theory
27. Estimating the Random Access File Size
28. Estimating File Reference Times and Queues
29. Estimating the Program Sizes
30. Estimating the System Timing
31. Estimating the Core Storage Requirements
32. Estimating for Input Output Buffering
33. Estimating Line and Terminal Requirements
34. The Reasons for Wrong Estimates
35. Accuracy and Security
36. The Programming Work
37. System Testing
38. Cutting Over the System
39. A Questionnaire for Planning
40. Implementation Charts

Glossary Index