Data, documentation, and decision tables
Denise Fisher · Communications of the ACM · 1966
In business data processing systems, it is necessary to be able to define and document data, files, programs and decision rules in a way that adequately represents both (1) their changing information content, and (2) their continuous interaction.Tabular description makes this possible, being notably objective, thorough and economical in cost and time when systems must be analyzed and programs prepared or modified.To show how quickly tabular techniques make an unfamiliar system manageable, a detailed example and a self-test are provided. l . I n t r o d u c t i o n* Advanced Systems Development Division. 26Communications of the ACM D. TEICHROEW, Editor require less than an hour of his time and will clarify m~my points which the text can only suggest.