Computer programming good practices

Some programs require only a few days to completely program for general purpose use, while some others require several montlis of continuous effort. Whenever more than one individual is expected to use the computer program, it is good practice to obtain the several tiews on attacking the problem, i.e., qqje of input data, solution approach, range of variables, fixed conditions and type and form of output or results. 

The new methodology was tested extensively in practical work at The Dow Chemical Company. It was found to be able to predict the properties of novel polymers as accurately and reliably as can be reasonably expected from any scheme based on simple quantitative structure-property relationships. The only computational hardware required to perform these calculations is a good hand calculator. The method was, nonetheless, automated by implementation in a simple interactive computer program (SYNTHIA). This software implementation has enabled its much easier use, especially by non-specialists. It has thus resulted in much greater efficiency as well as significantly reducing the possibility of human error. 

Effective cooling is always desirable, through good design of the cooling charmels. In practice, today, numerical solutions provide the temperature field in the mold zone, and computer programs control the cycle time. In conclusion ... 

In practice, the sample size calculation is not done by hand, but by computer programs (such as the free G Power ), which lets you choose a statistical test, asks for the necessary inputs (i.e., a, P, variance, and effect size), and gives you the minimum required sample size. They can also be used to determine the power of your test given the sample size, a, S, and effect size. Because of all these unknowns, it is a good idea to consult a biostatistician on these matters if possible. 

It is good practice to develop a computer program to predict the performance based on sound chemical engineering principles.These programs are capable of closely approximating actual cell performance. Important cell characteristics include current distribution within the electrode structure, reactivity of the active mass... 

Complementary to the hazard mitigating functions that are added in response to specific risks identified through the hazard analysis for the computer system, features such as watchdog timers, program sequence checking, reinitialization of variables and other fault detection mechanisms constitute good practice. Because of the need for simplicity of the system, these features are added only to the extent that they do not make the software unnecessarily more complex. 

In the form of computer programs, these methods had two main failings. Geometry optimization was in general not practical, and, even when it could be done, the results were usually not very good. This meant that a good estimate of the experimental geometry was needed to even attempt a calculation. Furthermore, since the parameters were optimized for specific problems, the method could be applied only to very small classes of systems. 

This Easter egg is one of numerous examples. An old version of Microsoft Excel (Excel 95) had a similar hidden computer game, if one knew where to find it, called The Hall of Tortured Souls . Normally, this sort of thing should not matter (although it is certainly not good practice by the programers.)... 

A common problem with many of the commercially available programs is their inability to make an accurate prediction of the lean amine solutiai composition and thoefore the product gas purity. As a result, it is good practice to check stripper peiftMmance predicted by a computer program with correlations derived from actual plant experience when available. For applications where little or no plant data are available, such as selective absorption systems, the computer models are the only practical design tools. Furthermore, the models are continually being upgraded, so deficiencies noted in previous versions may be resolved in mote recent editions. 

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