BOOKS
Computer Applications in the Lab Scientific and Engineering Applications with Personal Computers. A Software Approach with Examples for the Apple-, IBM PC- and CP/M-Based Microcomputer Systems. Raymond Annino and Richard D. Driver, xx + 577 pp. John Wiley & Sons, 605 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10158. 1986. $45 Reviewed by Richard Megargle, Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 We all know that small computers are being used extensively in laboratory applications and that the number and scope of such applications are growing rapidly. There is only so much that one can expect from a purchased turnkey system, because it must be targeted for the most common applications and configured in the most general way to be sold to the largest possible market. The only recourse for those who want a laboratory computer that will do something different is to implement all or part of it themselves. This is an important segment of laboratory users, and numerous vendors offer products for individuals who want to configure their own laboratory applications. This book provides an overview of how the do-it-yourself problem can be approached. The book concentrates on the Apple II and IBM PC computers and is only of limited use to those who have not selected one of these computers or something compatible. These computers, however, seem to be the most popular choices among the personal computers for use in the laboratory, and thus the potential audience for the book is considerable. The typical presentation for each topic is to describe first the Apple II implementation and then that for the IBM PC. One must read carefully because it is easy to lose track of which type of computer is being discussed in each paragraph. The IBM PC is sometimes described only by the way it differs from the Apple II, which forces the IBM PC user to read and understand both descriptions. The book covers many topics in a
general way. After a brief description of the computer itself, most of the hardware treatment deals with a variety of ways to interface the computer to experimental devices. The book includes data conversion methods and asynchronous serial interfaces, pointing out many of the pitfalls in the RS232 communications standard. It also describes the Hewlett-Packard loop interface, bit-parallel interface schemes, and the IEEE-488 interface bus. An interesting and important part of the book is an overview of a number of general-purpose commercial interface systems for the Apple II and IBM PC computers. Most of the programming examples are developed in BASIC, including a treatment of the various language extensions provided by the suppliers of general interface systems. Many useful suggestions and examples for good BASIC programming style are included, and the philosophy of the languages C and Forth are briefly described. In the appendices, one can find a number of useful numerical analysis routines written in both BASIC and C. There is a brief treatment of assembly language programming using the Apple II central processor as an example. The use of spreadsheet analysis and databases for laboratory applications is also briefly presented, the latter using dBASE II as an example. In the area of data processing and display, chapters deal with graphics output, numerical analysis and modeling, and analysis of experimental data. Among the topics treated are integration and differentiation, regular- and spline-curve fitting, solving for roots of regular and differential equations, matrix manipulations, data smoothing, and Fourier transforms. This book is not a good entry point for the beginner who wants to master the subject. Although in places it deals with elementary concerns, such as how to start up the Apple II computer, in many other places it assumes knowledge of basic computer concepts or jargon that not all beginners will have. Also, it is not sufficient if one wants to acquire a working knowledge of any of the topics it covers. It will not replace
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the manuals or textbooks for any of the devices or subjects it describes. The book is marred slightly by several nomenclature errors and a few somewhat imprecise explanations. The major usefulness of the book would seem to be as an awareness service for those who are planning to use or already are using personal computers in their laboratory workplace. It can help the reader make better choices, learn what to look for in system descriptions, and understand the possible approaches that can be used for the application at hand. The book is also useful for those who do not want indepth knowledge but are satisfied with understanding fundamental concepts and generally keeping abreast of this fast-changing field.
Books Received High Resolution NMR Spectroscopy of Synthetic Polymers in Bulk. Richard A. Komoroski, Ed. xi + 379 pp. VCH Publishers, 220 E. 23rd St., Suite 909, New York, N.Y. 10010. 1986. $75 Electrophoresis '86. M. J. Dunn, Ed. xviii + 765 pp. VCH Publishers, 220 E. 23rd St., Suite 909, New York, N.Y. 10010. 1986. $99.50 Spectroscopic Properties of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds. Vol. 10. G. Davidson and E. A. V. Ebsworth, senior reporters, xiv + 466 pp. Royal Society of Chemistry, Blackhorse Rd., Letchworth, Herts SG6 1HN, England. 1986. $171 Thin-Layer Chromatography. Techniques and Applications. Second éd., revised and expanded. Bernard Fried and Joseph Sherma. χ + 394 pp. Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1986. $74.75 Evaluation of Pesticides in Ground Water. ACS Symposium Series 315. W. Y. Garner, R. C. Hunnycutt, and G. N. Nigg, Eds. ix + 573 pp. American Chemical Society, 1155 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. 1986. $94.95
