Volume 2 No. 7 January 1976
NEXT MEETING JANUARY 8, 1976
Golden Carriage Inn, Olympia
Clayton Fox
Editorial Reporter
Daily Olympian
COMMENT, CLINT DEGABRIELLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DATA PROCESSING AUTHORITY
The State continues to struggle with the overall question of finances and state
services. With an election year coming up, there is considerable concern about
any new tax, but at the same time, there is the realization that the public
schools, state employee wages, higher education and the general economic
situation are all making demands on state revenues. A great deal of effort is
being expended to find palatable short term solutions to these problems,
preferably with no new taxes. The Legislature will convene January 12 and will
focus on public schools, state employee wages and the general economic situation
with a desire to meet each problem with a short term solution.
What does all of this mean to the Data Processing community? First, it ought to
focus our attention on getting the most for each expenditure of a resource and
secondly, on the application of automation to the specific functional areas
where the greatest return is available. This focus should result in our devoting
primary attention to common systems and to improvement of our existing systems.
We should become actively involved with our agency management in the development
of tools to increase productivity and to assist agency management to be more
effective.
As this year ends, we can take pride in the work we have done and in the climate
we have created for data processing.
Clint DeGabrielle
Executive Director
Data Processing Authority
STRUCTURED PROGRAMMING IN THE VIRTUAL STORAGE ENVIRONMENT
This article has been written to encourage analysts and programmers to keep
certain things in mind in developing systems using structured systems design and
programming techniques for the virtual storage environment. Service Center
Number One will have twin IBM 370 Model 158's operating under VS in the near
future. So this becomes a good time to start planning and thinking about virtual
storage. Most comments in this article are in reference to COBOL programming.
Structured Programming - The primary goal in the design of structured programs
is to produce modular program structure through successive functional
decomposition commonly called "TOP DOWN". To control the program flow, logic is
used such as if-then-else rather than GO TO statements. Structured programming
begins in the design phase producing a set of modules that exhibit certain
desirable characteristics. Among these are high module strength, low module
coupling, predictability, and decision structure.
Structured programming concepts tend to make a person more organized, egoless
code is generated, programs require fewer tests and maintenance is easier to
perform.
Virtual Storage - Virtual storage is a technology where information is stored on
disk and paged into real memory as needed. A page represents 4096 bytes of
information. These pages may be programs, data, operating system subroutines and
so on.
In a virtual environment, real storage becomes a system performance
factor instead of a program size constraint. As the demand for real
storage increases, the paging rate will similarly increase. The
result is a decrease in throughput and potentially a "swap-out" of
low priority jobs in their entirety.
The amount of paging a particular program may cause is dependent
upon the program's structure and its working set. However, paging
most often occurs in processing input/output and within the
operating system itself. One company determined that the paging
within the problem program was only 5 to 15 percent of total paging.
Ideally, an analysis of a sample of structured COBOL programs
written without regard to VS and subsequently 'tuned' to VS could be
included in this article. Unfortunately, this analysis is not
readily available.
The concepts and techniques of virtual storage programming and those
of structured programming have grown along diverse paths. Virtual
storage programming has evolved largely by looking retrospectively
at programs designed and coded by means other than structured
programming, and thus has included techniques that are not
applicable to structured programming. Structured programming has
evolved with little regard to virtual storage, and thus includes
techniques alien to virtual storage systems.
As previously mentioned, some programs tend to cause excessive
paging under VS. As these programs have been observed and the
causes of paging analyzed a set of techniques have evolved. These
"techniques" are generally presented as "things to keep in mind"
because the present state of programming for VS systems is much more
an art than a science.
Ideally programs should be small enough or real storage large enough
so no paging occurs. The worst case would be where each instruction
executed causes a page fault. Many job steps use 100 of storage,
this equals 25 pages. As program size increases, paging potential
increases.
Structured programming has several pluses in relation to VS. First
of all, programs are easier to clean up for VS. To keep structured
programs some things to keep in mind are:
1. Group main line types together.
2. Group performs of heavy usage together; group performs of
light usage together.
3. Group exceptions routines together.
4. Keep the working set low - the working set is those pages that
are anticipated by the system to be used most often. Following
the above suggestions helps keep the working set low.
5. Modularity should be proximity of usage rather than similarity
of function.
6. Reference the data in the order stored.
7. Avoid elaborate search strategies for large data areas and large
linked lists if a wide range of addresses are referenced.
8. COBOL files that are used together should be opened in same
statement causing buffers to be close together.
9. The COBOL working storage section is allocated in order of
declaration.
10. Try not to use alternate areas.
11. Remember that modules created during design and coding phases
can be reordered during linkage editing to create better
reference patterns.
Although the concepts and techniques of these technologies have
grown independently, the two disciplines are not, however, at odds
with each other. Very few of the concepts involved in structured
programming cause problems in virtual storage. The few that do
cause trouble can usually be avoided during the design and coding
phases, and alternate methods may be found that more easily
accommodate virtual storage. The few techniques of virtual storage
programming that do not fit well within structured programming are
usually recognizable by those who are engaged in structured programming.
The combination of these two disciplines requires more effort on the
part of the designer and the programmer than either one does alone,
but together they produce programs that are more easily understood
and maintained, and put less strain on computer storage resources.
Information for this article was obtained from:
1. IBM Quarterly Systems Journal Vol. 14, No. 4, 1975
"Structured Programming in the VS Environment."
2. IBM Personnel.
3. Boeing Computer Service Personnel.
4. Classes on Structured Programming and Virtual Storage.
Dick Nelson (U & T)
Assistant Editor
Ron Hooker, CSA IV with DSHS, will be instructing an 'Applied Thought' course
through Centralia College continuing education evening classes.
This course will be listed in the catalog as 'Soc Sc. 203 - Human Rel. - Applied
Thought'. Three (3) credit hours in social science will be given.
Ron has indicated that the course will offer students an opportunity
to grow in their awareness of self by exploring, experiencing,
polishing and reflecting their energy within. It will focus upon
thoughts and feelings and involve intellectual work as well as
practical application of techniques to direct thought energy.
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PLANNING POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORTS
The committee approved the final draft of the ADP Planning Standard
following discussion on each of the comments received from reviewing
agencies. Several changes were made as a result of the discussions.
The change in minimum planning period in the standard has also been
reflected in a change to the policy.
The committee, through George Pickett, will respond to each
contributor, reflecting the committee's decisions on each issue
raised.
The committee will bring copies of the completed policy and standard
to the January ADPM meeting for distribution and will seek
Association approval to forward them for adoption and implementation
by the Data Processing Authority.
No further committee meetings are scheduled as the committee
believes their task will be completed upon Association approval of
the policy and standard.
Jim Anderson
Ecology
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT STANDARD REVIEW COMMITTEE
Currently the committee has been reviewing Louis Orlando's draft
paper on Acceptance Criteria and Procedures. The committee
concurred with the desire to include appropriate words on accepting
systems for operational or production use.
The committee also reviewed Jim Michals' draft on Data Security.
Several comments were inserted by the committee. Data Security will
be referenced by the standard to provide continuity.
The committee discussed the inclusions of structured design in the
standard. All were agreed that further information and discussion
would be required.
Mike Brackett advised the committee that a Saturday seminar, open to
all, would be held on Structured Design and Programming in late
January. The exact date of the seminar will be announced later.
The next scheduled meeting of the committee is January 13, 1976 at
10:00 a.m. in room 2F21 of the Highways Building.
Jim Anderson
Ecology
RESOURCE UTILIZATION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORTS
The committee met on December 1st and 3rd to discuss modifications
to the inventory reporting package. General agreement was reached
on what revisions should be made. Roberta Giovannini will make the
corrections and distribute the revised inventory package to the
committee members by December 9, 1975. The committee members will
then review the document. Send her any comments by December 22,
1975. The committee will decide at that time whether another
meeting on the Inventory Package needs to be held. If another
meeting is unnecessary, the package will be considered ready for
implementation.
The next tentative scheduled meeting of this committee is to be held
the first week in January to review the Resource Utilization
Package.
Jim Anderson
Ecology
LANGUAGE STANDARDS REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORTS
The committee felt that the total number of languages used in the
state should be limited. Only those languages specifically stated
in the language standard should be used. The committee felt that as
new languages are developed, a review and acceptance procedure
should be established. This procedure would involve a complete
testing of any new language. However, before any new language is
included into the language standard the Association of Data
Processing Managers should review the evaluation procedure.
After some discussion the following criteria were selected to rate
the various categories of languages:
1. development and maintenance of programs for production or
special request
2. training of personnel
3. efficient use of core and time (resources)
4. ease of conversion to Cobol or Fortran
5. language self-documenting and lend itself to structured
programming
6. transferability of personnel
7. transferability of systems
8. vendor support of languages
The following categories of languages were suggested.
1. Standard
2. Teleprocessing
3. Report Writing
4. Simulation and Research
5. File Management
6. Mini-computer
7. Education (CAI, etc.)
The group decided to define each of the above categories and to
identify which languages would be included in each category.
The next meeting will be held:
Friday, January 9, 1976, 10:30 a.m.
Evergreen Plaza Building
Second Floor Conference Room
Jim Anderson
Ecology
MEETING MINUTES, DECEMBER 4, 1975
The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Bob Vaughn. There were
38 members and guests present. The following guests were
introduced. Caryl Reilly, Personnel Officer with Washington
Utilities & Transportation Commission; Bill Price, Liquor Control
Board; Paul Pemberton, Employment Security Department; and Ed
Jewell, Dept. of Fisheries.
Tom Jones, Secretary/Treasurer reported a current balance of $363.71
with no expenditures for the month. Two more members sent in dues
this month for a total of 31 of 36 paid to date.
There were no corrections or additions to the minutes of the
previous meeting, therefore, they were approved as printed in the
Newsletter.
Copies of the Job Matrix Report were sent out by the Department of
Personnel to the agencies for review by agency Personnel Officers.
Dept. of Personnel will start meeting with the agencies in January.
Although unable to attend this meeting, Paul Newman is now out of
the hospital and back to work on a half-day basis. Don Brown has
been taking care of the work on the Personnel Liaison Committee. He
reported that Dept. of Personnel revised a couple of questions on
the Programmer II test, and that they had also suggested that higher
level programmers be required to take the exam. They are going to
try to get opinions from other agencies regarding the suggestion.
Bobbie Giovannini reported the Data Processing Authority meeting was
held on Tuesday, December 2, 1975. Preliminary approval was given
to the Policy Statement. Policy and Standards will be reviewed by
the Authority members, then it will be sent out to the Data
Processing Managers probably in January for their review. She also
reported that Community Colleges made a presentation of their status
and according to their plan, they currently have a common financial
and student system in development for implementation January and
July respectively. Twenty-five to twenty-seven colleges will be on
the program which shows outstanding progress with the plan.
In the area of new business, the Executive Committee is putting
together an opinion poll to be sent to all members to express their
opinions on how the organization should be structured and how the
program should be conducted, etc. It will cover areas such as
programs, involvement with the DPA, voting members, etc. Anyone
having areas that they would like to have included in the
questionnaire, get in touch with Bob Vaughn.
There being no further new business Program Chairman, Don Smith was
called on to introduce the guest speaker for the month, the
Executive Director for the Washington State Federation of Employees,
Mr. George Masten.
Mr. Masten opened his talk by giving a brief history and
definition of what the Federation is. It is the sixth largest
AFL-CIO union in the nation.
Mr. Masten feels that during the coming legislative session
retirement reform will be a main concern. The Federation has
told the legislature that there are amendments they will
support. For example, tightening up on the ability of
legislators to go to work for a state agency for two years and
then get credit for a 3% times everything for higher wages.
They will continue to pursue combining the civil service laws
of Higher Education personnel and the State Personnel Board and
come up with a single state board.
They will also work to maintain the Holidays that the state
workers now have. During the last session a senator sponsored
legislation to do away with Election Day. There has been some
indication that one of the Senators will be sponsoring similar
legislation during this session.
Salaries, of course, are still an issue. Since revenue is
coming in exactly the way the Governor predicted, it appears
there will be a zero balance. What this means is that the
legislature will have to face up to an issue of taxes. Mr.
Masten feels that we would be kidding ourselves if we thought
there would be a vote for tax reform or graduated net income
tax or anything of that sort. It's been very clear that the
voters will not vote for tax reform of any kind. It's Mr.
Masten's opinion that the issue will be squarely before the
legislature to pass taxes that they constitutionally can pass -
sales tax, B & 0 tax, all the regressive taxes. It is Mr.
Masten's feeling that the union and state workers should
support these tax moves, because the voters will not vote tax
reform until taxes become so high they can no longer stand
them.
Salary Survey -- The legislature hired Arthur Young and
Associates to do a survey of only private industry, including
the smallest of employers in the state, and to include fringe
benefits. The survey is to be run in conjunction with the
Personnel Boards. In addition to the basic survey, the
consultants will also be doing an out-of-state survey. There
will also be a random sampling of employers with 1 to 49
employees.
Where does the Federation stand on the salary surveys? They
have supported this kind of survey taking place on a timely
basis for the simple reason that we have got to put this before
the legislators because they are the key to getting money for
salaries. As long as they honestly feel that the survey is not
being done right, there will be problems getting monies for
salary increases. If the survey is done properly, Mr. Masten
feels that it will support what the Personnel Boards have been
finding out all along. He also feels that if they run a good
survey of fringes, it will prove that state employees are not
overfringed. All in all he feels that the survey is heading in
a positive direction. Mr. Masten concluded by calling for
questions from the floor.
Tom Jones
Secretary
ASDPM
UNIVAC ARRIVES AT SC-3
The new UNIVAC 1100/40 system for Service Center 3 was placed in the
computer room Monday, December 22. The equipment and conversion
contracts were signed two weeks earlier. The State won't have an
opportunity to use the system for about a month when the formal 30
day acceptance period begins. After that, most efforts will be
aimed at converting the Department of Social and Health Services'
and the Department of Motor Vehicles' present applications.
Conversion is expected to be completed in 1976 for DSHS and in mid-
1977 for DMV.
Equipment installation is scheduled in five phases throughout this
biennium. It will finally include: an 1100/42 multiprocessor, 263K
words primary memory, 526K words extended memory, 1.3 billion words
of disc storage, four spindles fixed head disc, two 9300 processors
controlling paper peripherials, two Communications Symbiont
Processors with 131K memory each, 20 tape drives, five printers, two
readers and a punch. Besides the departments' communications
networks, CRT terminals will be used for program development and
modification and RJE will supported.
Service Center 3, located in the southeast end of Office Building 2
on the service level is under the management of Will Wolf from DMV.
Production Services will be managed by Larry Seaberg from DSHS and
Technical Services by John Lawson from DMV. During the coming
biennium the staff of the center is planned to increase, in phases,
to just over 60 persons.
John Lawson
DMV
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF DATA PROCESSING MANAGERS
January, 1976
OFFICERS
Bob Vaughn, Chairman 753-5461
Tom Jones, Sec./Treas. 753-5161
Don Smith, Program 753-2475
Bob Payne, Exec. Comm. 753-3426
Jim Anderson, Exec. Comm. 753-2957
NEWSLETTER
Pat Mailey, Editor 753-2872
Dick Nelson, Ass't. Ed. 753-6455
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Dick Applestone, Job Matrix 753-7540
Paul Newman, Personnel 753-2208
Jim Anderson, ADP Planning 753-2957
D.P.A. Meeting, January 7, 1976, 2:00 p.m.
House Office Building, Room 431, Olympia