Software development, computations

For a variety of appHcations such as computer-aided engineering systems, software development, or hypermedia, the relational database model is insufficient. In an RDBMS, it is difficult to model complex objects and environments the various extensive tables become complicated, the integrity is problematic to observe, and the performance of the system is reduced. This led to two sophisticated object-based models, the object-oriented and the object-relational model, which are mentioned only briefly here. For further details see Refs. [10] and [11]. 

The next level is the protocol that governs how the data are transmitted over the wire. Many protocols are ia use. A typical iastaHatioa may have multiple protocols mnning simultaneously on the same physical network. Vendors of network hardware and software develop protocols that are optimized for the type of appHcation for which their product is targeted. Among the protocols commonly seen ia a prepress aetwork are Apple Computer s AppleTalk and EtherTalk, and TCP/IP used by many UNIX work station vendors. The appHcation software a user employs automatically uses whatever protocol is necessary to move information over the network. 

Most new hardware and software development in the EMCS market now aims at utilizing the full potential of EMCSs and at making the information obtained more usable and accessible. This accessibility has created a secondary benefit with a greater potential for custonier/utility communication. In many ways the EMCS evolution and market penetration in the industrial, commercial, and to a certain extent, residential markets, has equaled that of the personal computer. 

Humans should use computers to do functional work for them in the most efficient manner possible. However, we must not delude ourselves into thinking that the mere use of a computer to analyze adverse events will magically analyze these events in a systematic, efficient way. Computers do not automatically produce coherent, auditable results that can be subsequently reproduced with ease. Computers must be actively programmed through an iterative process involving tight communication between analysts and software developers until these processes are totally functional. 

Simulation is best described as the process of translating a real system into a working model in order to run experiments. A simulation does not duplicate a system rather it is an abstraction of reality using mathematics to express cause-and-effect relationships that determine the behavior of the system. Hence the representation displayed on a computer may not always be pictori-ally similar to the real system, and, if it is, then it must be regarded as an added bonus. Software for computer simulation is often customized and based on that developed in academia. There are not many commercial packages available for pharmaceutical formulation. 

FieldNotes user verification can be conducted by following the SOP written by Astrix, which can be downloaded from the Astrix Web site. The SOP contains a script that is typed into the computer system. If the printout matches the SOP script, then verification is complete. A record of this must be placed in the facility archive. This verification process takes 1 h or less. For FieldNotes, calculations are not verified at the field site since the manufacturer feels that the software developer and the sponsors have performed adequate validation of these calculations previously. This may, therefore, require a visit to the sponsor or to the manufacturer to confirm that this important step of the validation process has been completed and is adequately documented. By following the Astrix SOP, the user is simply ensuring that the program operates on their system(s). The SOP script must be typed in exactly as written in order to confirm the printout accuracy. QA must ensure that the verification documentation is properly archived. Just as with any other SOP, this SOP must be approved in writing by field site management to comply with GLP. 

Although computer equipment is used differently to other field equipment, raw data are being generated consequently, maintenance records are required. All maintenance and repairs to the computer system need to be recorded. For example, software and hardware maintenance records would include system/program updates, disk scans, and defragmentation (e.g., preventative maintenance). Repair records might include communication with the software developer about problems/bugs and steps taken to fix any software or hardware problems. Documentation must include whether the... 

All the viscoelastic measurements were carried out in the Rheometrics Dynamic Spectrometer RDS-770 at a frequency of 1Hz, a strain of 0.1%, and a temperature range of -140° to 140°C incremented every 2 degrees. The Texas Instrument Terminal Silent 700 was tapped to provide a hookup to an IBM 308X main frame computer located some miles away. The output of the Rheometrics unit was converted to a data file to be used in conjuc-tion with SAS (1). All statistical manipulations, software developments, and the necessary graphics that are reported here were carried out with the aid of SAS. 

The intent is to improve the organization of a business, a process not necessarily involving software or computing machinery. In the process, we can review roles and processes in the organization and can also require software systems development. 

Both gas chromatographic instruments were connected with a PDP 11/45 computer via an analog-to-digital converter. The peak areas were calculated from the digitalized chromatographic data by means of software developed at Delft University of Technology. 

R. Biirgin-Schaller, M. Junghans, H. Schriber, T. Kocsis, M. Badertscher, E. Pretsch and M. E. Munk, Software Development in Chemistry 9 Proceedings of the 9th Workshop Computer in Chemistry , Bitterfield, 1994. 

The xylose isomerase DNA sequences from Bacillus subtilis (5), Escherichia coli (2,5), Streptomyces violaceoniger (4), and mAmpullariella sp., (6) were computer down-loaded from GenBank (Mountain View, CA). The sequence from Actinoplanes missouriensis (7) was typed into the computer twice. Discrepancies between the sequences were then compared to the original to produce a verified copy. Analysis of these sequences were performed using software developed by D. Mount and B. Conrad at the University of Arizona (Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biosciences West, Tucson AZ). 

The authors are thankful to C. Andrew, P. Zuker, K. Reply and K. Thiele for their skillful assistance in computer interfacing and software development, and to Dr. D. P. Ames for helpful discussions. 

---