Discusses whether machines can think in the same sense that humans think. Provides four conclusions based on axioms of differences between computer programs and human minds. Compares claims of strong and weak artificial intelligence. (YP)

Discussion of the history and development of artificial intelligence (AI) highlights a bibliography of introductory books on various aspects of AI, including AI programing; problem solving; automated reasoning; game playing; natural language; expert systems; machine learning; robotics and vision; critics of AI; and representative software. (LRW)

Contrasts artificial intelligence and conventional programming languages. Reviews Personal Consultant Plus, Smalltalk/V, and Nexpert Object, which are PC-based products inspired by problem-solving paradigms. Provides information on background and operation of each. (RT)

Describes selected training materials (books and programming aids) for computer programming. A list of materials is also provided. Each entry includes title, supplier, format, computer needed, special requirements, and current costs. (JN)

Describes Program Information Files (PIFs), which run on DOS operating systems with Microsoft Windows to help run other programs. Options available in the standard mode and in the enhanced mode are explained, multitasking options are discussed, and memory options and application shortcut keys are described. (LRW)

Designed by the DEC Systems Research Center and the Olivetti Research Center, the programming language Modula-3 descends from Mesa, Modula-2, Cedar, and Module-2+, and resembles Object Pascal, Oberon, and Euclid. A notable feature of this language family is the use of modules to delineate the separation between the implementation and the use of…

Presents a history of computer viruses, explains various types of viruses and how they affect software or computer operating systems, and describes examples of specific viruses. Available vaccines are explained, and precautions for protecting programs and disks are given. (nine references) (LRW)

Discusses reasons for learning to program in BASIC, various versions of BASIC, BASIC compilers, and adherence to proposed standards. Brief reviews of six BASIC software packages are included. (12 references) (MES)

A computer program for drawing syntactic phrase markers as trees is described. The program was developed for use on Texas Instruments Explorer Lisp machines. The tree is drawn by recursive descent, left to right. The tree-drawing function takes two arguments: (1) an atom constituting the tree, and (2) a font specification to be used in drawing the…

Explores the conceptual components of a computer program designed to enhance creative thinking and reviews software that aims to stimulate creative thinking. Discusses BRAIN and ORACLE, programs intended to aid in creative problem solving. (JOW)

Reviews overall structure and design principles of a knowledge-based programming support tool, the Knowledge-Based Programming Assistant, which is being developed at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The system's major units (program design program coding, and intelligent debugging) and additional functions are described. (MBR)

Reports on major change in computer software development process--the prototype model, i.e., implementation of skeletal system that is enhanced during interaction with users. Expensive and unreliable software, software design errors, traditional development approach, resources required for prototyping, success stories, and systems designer's role…

Discusses the current problems associated with computer viruses that affect system and software users and the frequency with which they occur. System security is discussed, steps to take to safeguard against damage by computer viruses are suggested, and anti-viral programs, or vaccines, are described. (LRW)

Explains how computer viruses were originally created, how a computer can become infected by a virus, how viruses operate, symptoms that indicate a computer is infected, how to detect and remove viruses, and how to prevent a reinfection. A sidebar lists eight antivirus resources. (four references) (LRW)

Variations among different versions of Logo are discussed in terms of special hardware needed, size and speed, bugs and misfeatures, and syntax. LogoWriter and Object Logo are also described. A comparison chart is included. (MNS)