When I undertook to review this textbook, I had anticipated that the major theme could have been restated as “using standard to enhance software portability,” but this is not the case. Instead, the author reviews one or two standards and suggest how they should be extended to provide additional features. Since the major programming language considered in FORTRAN, the result proposed would look very much like PL/I] For example, it is suggested that data types should be extended to include some means of specifying the precision of the data representations. On the other hand, a discussion of extending data types exemplifies APL as the perfect case since constants, variables, and functions can be “typed.”

The largest section of the text deals with command languages and the various proposals in vogue. UNIX is characterized as “another interesting command language,” but little detail of its structure or basi concept is given. It would appear the COSCL and CCL are the prime candidates for use as the basis for a common language for operating systems.

The result of these suggestions is to leave the reader with a naive view of current software developments such as ADA and C. Similarly, the effect of software development in personal computers, such as VISICALC and LOTUS 1,2,3 is not considered. Standards are viewed as limiting systems which can enhance portability, but are not worth the effort to use. Referring to the 1966 FORTRAN Standard, the author states: “Managers were telling programmers to stick to the FORTRAN Standard. They literally did not know what they were talking about. The standard work because implementors did not stick to it ... no compiler ever caused so many portability problems as that one.” This book definitely offers a “con” view of standards and portability.