NEW BOOKS The discussion of how automatic computers are put together and how they work seems to be much more satisfying than the sections on applications. This may be a matter of interest, since there is a very limited treatment of applications in chemistry and chemical engineering. Probably this is inevitable, since the reviewer has found that satisfactory exposition of computer applications requires detailed and lengthy explanation to build up the necessary knowledge of the physical process under consideration, as well as similar treatment of the mathematical background, and finally the extensive details of programming and machine operation. Such lengthy discussion is usually not suited to a review or a book of general character. A further factor is the very rapid pace of new achievements in applications of automatic computers. It is probably of interest to outline the contents. These are : types of computers; digital machines (their parts, how they work, reliability, advantages and disadvantages, check list of characteristics) ; analog machines (principle, parts, examples, comparisons with digital, error control) ; other types of computers (various pieces of automatic control equipment, file searching, and translating machines, game playing machines, copying and printing devices, telephone equipment) ; miniature computers (mostly about improvements in Simon) ; some large computers (three common types) ; applications (kinds of work that can be done, application in business, military, and other fields) ; references ; rosters; glossary; and index. The title to the first section is misleading, since "Machines That Handle Information" suggests library literature and documentation machines. Actually the authors are using the word information in the sense of all types of numbers and letters or other symbol combinations that might be supplied to an automatic computer. In view of the increasing importance of automatic computers in chemistry and chemical engineering, this book should be examined carefully by every chemist and chemical engineer, especially those in management.
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C H E M I C A L P R O D U C T S DIVISION TOO INVESTORS BUILDING ' MINNEAPOLIS 2, MINNESOTA For further information, circle number 81 A on Readers' Service Card, page 123 A
VOL. 48, NO. 12
·
DECEMBER 1956
81 A
