Generalized editing : a design study of a COBOL orientated edit program generator : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Massey University

Abstract

All commercial data processing installations include programs to detect errors in input data. There is a high degree of commonality in the editing (i e validating) of such input data throughout the data processing industry. This thesis defines a generalized editing package which will allow a user to specify the editing requirements for any set of input data. From the specifications a COBOL program will be created to carry out the required operations on the input file. Included as an introduction to this thesis, is a survey of editing needs, and a discussion on the merits of generalized software. The thesis emphasizes the methodology of the generation of a specific "tailor-made" editor program. Key Words: Editing EPG (Edit Program Generator) Generalized Software Program Generator Computing Review Category: 2.0, 3.50, 4.12, 4.41