| 1. THE TASKS AND THE COMPUTER | 1 |
| A. Introduction | 1 |
| B. The Tasks | 2 |
| C. The Computers | 3 |
| D. Matching Computers to Tasks | 5 |
| E. On Characteristic Features of Computers and Related Equipment | 6 |
| |
| 2. DATA-ACQUISITION SYSTEMS | 16 |
| A. Introduction | 16 |
| B. A Small Time-Shared Data-Acquisition System Based on a PDP-7 Computer | 19 |
| C. A Small System Based on a PDP-8 Computer | 23 |
| D. A Medium-Sized On-Line Computer System | 28 |
| E. A Large System Based on a Single Computer (The Yale-IBM Nuclear-Data-Acquisition System) | 32 |
| F. Multiple-Computer Systems | 39 |
| G. A Process-Control System: The Brookhaven Multiple Spectrometer Control System | 48 |
| H. Relationship to a Remote Computing Center | 54 |
| |
| 3. A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURES | 58 |
| A. The Nature of the Data | 58 |
| B. Breakdown of Data for Analysis | 59 |
| C. Types of Computers | 61 |
| D. Some Total Costs | 61 |
| E. Breakdown of Costs by Systems | 64 |
| F. Rotating Memory Devices | 65 |
| G. Systems On-Line with Computing Centers | 65 |
| H. Anticipated Future Expenditures | 65 |
| I. Investment in Accelerators, Computer Systems, and Laboratory Budgets | 66 |
| J. Process-Control Application | 67 |
| |
| 4. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON SYSTEM PLANNING | 68 |
| A. The Need for On-Line Computer Systems | 68 |
| B. Where Should Large-Scale Calculations Be Done? | 69 |
| C. Exercising Economic Judgment in Planning | 70 |
| D. On the Utility of Small and Medium-Sized Computers | 71 |
| E. Growth Considerations | 71 |
| F. Short Summary of Conclusions Regarding System Planning | 73 |
| |
| Appendix A: TABLES OF PROPERTIES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPUTERS | 79 |
| |
| Appendix B: BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR CHAPTER 3, A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURES | 86 |
