Microcomputers, acceptance

Organic molecule calculations can be done routinely to good accuracy on workstation-class hardware. It is advisable to examine tabulations of results in order to choose a method with acceptable accuracy and computational time for the property of interest. The trend toward having microcomputer versions of computational chemistry codes is making calculations on small organic molecules even more readily accessible. 

AIDECS utilizes 4 microcomputers in its normal operation. These serve to control all the movement of the shell, to collect and analyze the signals from all inspection points, and to make the accept/reject decisions. Many of these operations occur in parallel since the entire process, involving over 23000 inspection elements in a 105-mm projectile, is designed to be completed in about 1 minute... 

Unix. Widely used operating system for workstations and server computers. Various computer vendors supply their version of Unix, which typically descends from either the Bell Labs or Berkeley versions. A microcomputer version of Unix is Linux, which is rapidly growing in acceptance. 

FORTRAN language (FORTRAN IV, F66) could only be used on large mainframe systems that accepted programs in batch. Turnaround was slow interaction was nil. The availability of microcomputers (IBM personal computers or compatible) has made it easier for numerical techniques, simulation, and design problems to be developed. Computer software can now be used interactively on such systems. 

In the STAND-BY state the microcomputer is ready to accept the START command in order to begin the samphng period. After starting, the sampler is in the ACTIVE state. When all samples have been taken the sampler retnms to the STAND-BYE state. The WAIT state is entered upon the occurence of a fatal error or by manual interactioa No samples will be taken in the WAIT state. 

As the acceptance of structured programming grew, the reputation of BASIC declined. This was a fair assessment of most microcomputer versions of BASIC. Many of them added abbreviated constructs, such as the single-line IF-THEN and IF-THEN-ELSE discussed earlier, but these additions were often made with little thought as to how they would fit with other language features, such as multiple statements on a line. 

Preparation for work in the chemicai processing industry starts in high schooi with interpersonai skiiis, microcomputers, communications, math, and science. Coiiege students are given an opportunity to compiete courses deveioped by education and industry, structured according to a set of nationaiiy accepted objectives, and taught by peopie with years of industriai experience. 

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