Annals of Library Science and Documentation1980, 27(1-4)! 118-123.

MICROPROCESSORS AND WORDPROCESSORS-THEIR USE ININFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS

computer technology has been playing avital role in shaping the activities concerningcollection. processing, packaging and dissemina-tion of information. The innovation of micro-processors and word processors is stated to be amajor breakthrough in computer technoZogy. Abrief description of microprocessors and wordprocessors has been provided lJith the obiieet ioeof bringing the capabiZities of this equipment.to the notice of information scientists inIndia. so that their utility may be studied inthe context of designing computer-based infor-mation systems in India.

o. INTRODUCTIONIn library and information work. the

decade of 1970's has witnessed a rapid changeand development. Technology has definitelybegun to make big inroads into areas wherecustoms and traditions scarcely registered anychange for decades. and provided the means totransform some long cherished ideas into practic-al realities. Computer technology has been play-ing a vital role in shaping the activitiesconcerning collection, processing, packaging anddissemination of information. The innovation ofmicroprocessors and word processors, has hadtreamendous impact on the design of modern infor-mation systems. Concepts like online informationsystems and information networks could not havecome into practice but for the advances made incomputer and communication technologies. Theobjective of this paper is to provide a briefaccount of microprocessors and word processorsindicating their specific utility in the develop-ment of data communications systems and infor-mation processing functions.1.

1.1MICROPROCESSORSlJefinitionThe question of what constitutes a micro-

processor has been discussed in the literature

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of computer science at a greater length and asa consequence, several interpretations have comeinto being explaining the meaning of this term.Because of this "definitions of 'microprocessor'are both loose and ephemeral, often failing toinclude devices which might reasonably be consi-dered mi croprocessors " /-4 /. The rea sonfor this terminological vagueness appearsprimarily due to the fact that microprocessorsdo not differ in any real, qualitative way frommany other circuit forms except that theyrepresent different structural and functionalemphasis in design and purpose of the circuit.1.2 Main Features

The main features associated with amicroprocessor could be summarised as follows:

i) it is an electronic deviceii) it consists of one or more l~rge

scal~ integrated (LSI) ~ircuits.iii) it is a stored program computer.

iv) it is capable of being used both asa replacement for random logic.aswell as a processing element in acomputer system.

1.21 Microprocessor as a 1ogi c deviceA microprocessor is an electronic device

which can perform all the functions previouslyperformed by discrete logic circuits. Thedifference being that in the discrete unitsrandom logic had to be wired together to performa given fixed function, while a microprocessorcan be used to process logical and arithmeticdata to provide a number of functions.

1.22 Microprocessor consists of one or moreLarge Scale Integrated circuit~

Integrated circuit technology enables theincorporation of a number of electronic compo-

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MICROPROCESSORS AND WORDPROCESSORS

nents onto a single small piece of siliconknown as a chip. The circuits formed on thesechips were termed integrated circuits and thenumber of individual components which would befitted into each chip varied as technologyadvanced. Now, it is possible to have smallscale (10 to 20 gates per chip), medium scale(20 to 100 gates per chip) and large scale(100 to 5,000 gates per chip) integrated circuits.The microprocessor is stated to contain one ormore large scale integrated (LSI). circuits inits design.1.23 Microprocessor is a stored program

computerThe question as to whether a microproces-

sor is a computer or merely a component hasstirred up much discussion in recent times. But,by and large, it is agreed that a microprocessorcorresponds to the CPU (Central processing unit)of a computer and like the CPU, capnot carry outa required task until programmed to do so. Themicroprocessor hQ: neither memory nor inputloutput/(I/O) control, but its processing undersoftware control capability is frequentlyEMPHASISED by calling it a 'stored programcomputer I in order to differentiate it fromother basic components, such as transistors orrelays, which respond directly to their electric·al i~uts without the use of a stored program.L4.J

1.24 Microprocessor applicationsThe role of microprocessor as a component,

both in computers themselves and in many typesof equipment which require a controlling mecha-nism (particularly in situations where controlmust take place in a real-time) is continuouslygrowing. The small size of the microprocessor,its speed and flexibility of functioning makeit an essential component increasingly adaptableto use in varied situations, and in a varietyof products. Its use in data communicationssystems is briefly discussed in the followingparagraphs.

1.241 Data communications systemA 'data communications system is a physic-

al system that permits information to be trans-ferred between computers and remote terminalsor between computers and computers' .. In asimplest case, only two stations ronnected bya single line are involved, for example a remoteterminal linked to a central computer. On theother hand, communication networks involvingmany devices constitute a complex type ofcommunication syste~.

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Figure 1 represents the tasks of components ofa typical data communications net work.Ex~lanation of fig.1i) The terminal refers to any interfacebetween a human being and the network. A termin-al could be a keyboard, or a display device oreven a keypunch.ii) Many terminals could feed into a singlecommunications processor. The functions of acommunications processor are: line control,character message assembly, data conversion anddata editing and 'other' functions 1ike errorcontrol and message buffering, etc.iii) A modem is an acronym standing for modu-lation and demodulation. It converts the digi-tial signals generated by the terminal devicesto analog signals capable of being transmittedalong a common carrier. At the end of the lineis another modem.iv) The next component is a Front-EndProcessor. Its function is to handle the routinEcommunication functions. It is directly connect-ed with the main computer.v) The diagnostic equipment represented by aseparate block in the diagram can be appliedanywhere in the network as a preventive main-tenance.

The microprocessor has influenced datacommunications in two different ways. The firstis that the application of this technologyresulted in the availability of a more reliableand flexible equipment for the existing communi-cations networks. This €luipment is capable ofrelieving the host computer of its load. Inanother words, the load of the host computer·could be shared by some of the devices whichmake use of the microprocessor techno~ogy. Thesecond impact is in a totally new potentialusage such as terminals, communication processorsmodems and other equipment relevant to thedesign of networks. To make a long story short,'microprocessors' have affected all aspects ofdata communications by producing_less expensive,and more reliable systems'. f 5 I. Although,there are many modes to transmir-or transferinformation, telecommunication is by far themost important one. This is because when digitalcoding is used, telecommunications technology iscompletely compatible with the electronic ~t~ra~and processing devices. The channel capacltlesare adequate to support the high transfer ratesrequired by information transfer. This is thereason why most of the information networks suchas EURONET have adopted the telecommunicationtechnology and have deviced 1heir own protocolsfor message switching etc. L 1~.

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FIGURE

SIMPLE FOPM OF A DATA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

HOSO;:COMPUTER

TERMINAL COMMUNICATIONPROCESSOR

FRONT-ENDPROCESSOR

~_N_O_S_TI_C I2. WORD PROCESSORS2.1 Perspective

When computers were first invented theywer-e expected to carry out numerical dataprocessing, "which is characterised by data thatare usually of fixed length, columnar in format,1imited in terms of a1pha'bet,easy to verify,easy to edit and is manipulated by arithmeticoperations such as add, subtract, multiply anddivide" r97. But, the application of thisequipment for text processing t..e. capture ofdata, storage, verJfication and retrieval ofstrings of characters (alphabetics data) andto provide output from such data called for atotally different type of capabilities, such asvery large use of alphabet and slightly differenttype of programming techniques, etc. Thus thecomputer system resources required to store andtextual matter are much greater than those re-quired for numerical processing. T~xt process-ing has become possible due to a number ofdevelopments such as the advent of word process-ing equipment and packaged software to performthe required functions. In the following para-graphs an attempt has been made to provide abrief account of Word processors and their appli-cation in the design and operation of informatimsystems.

2.11 Word ProcessingBefore we attempt to understand the basic

components of a Word processor, it is necessaryto know what exactly is meaot by the term Wordprocessing. Word processing is a technique,which is used for processing of textual data forpurposes of efficiently preparing printedcommunications. The technique includes suchfunctions as data entry, data editing and valida-tion and data formatting.

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2.12 Components of a Word Processor"A Word processor consists basically of

an al phanumeric keyboard, with some spec ialfuncti ort"keys, a 1etter qua 1ity printer, a memoryunit, a microprocessor to provide the operatinglogic, an external storage unit for magneticstorage media and the software for operationsand applications. It may also have a displayunit capable of showing pages of text. It canshare peripherals such as printers, photo-composition equipment" etc. ;-8 7. Wordprocessors can be intelligent terminals workingin a stand-alone configuration or dumb terminalssharing a central processing unit (CPU). Interms of hardware, there is often not a-greatdeal of difference between Word processors andmicrocomputers. Word processors'are designedprimarily for the application their nameimplies and often have controls specially forthat purpose. They must have output printers

~ capable of giving high quality word. Some wordprocessors are offered with additional softwarefor applications such as information retrieval.2.121 Keyboard

All word processors have keyboards. Thesekeyboards have alphanumerical character setalong with some special keys,which are used forcontrol functions. Keyboards are used for dataentry, data editing, and data validation. Ihelogic which imp'ements these functions is con-tained in a microproC€ssor, keyboards can beoperated just-like type writers. But, when aword processor is used as computer peripheral oras a communications link in a DATA COMMUNICA- -.TIONS ssstem a screen is always associated withthe key oard.2.122 The Screen.

There are many varieties of screensavailable. Some screens have the capacity to

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display only one line of textual matter. Suchscreens are generally referred to as the window.On the other hand, there are screens which candisplay a full page (A3 size) of textual matter,which is being input into the system. Mostof the screens have a provision on the top areato display control information such as the nameof the job being operated, the function that isbeing carried out, the setting of tabs andmargins. This information is of great use to~e operator.2.123 The Print Unit

Every word processor will have a printer.The printer may either be linked to the key-board device or may exist as a separate physicalunit. Generally, two types of printers are invogue. They are 'golf-ball' printers and'daisy-wheel' printers. On both these typesa variety of type-faces and character sets 'could be produced. The 'daisy-wheel' printersare stated to be faster in operation compared tothe 'golf-ball' ones.2.124 Storage capability

Word processors are normally associatedwith some form of internal magnetic memory.This memory is utilised' to record typed infor-m~t~on. But, this internal memory is very muchl1mlted. Sop word processors are equipped with~xternal st~tage facility. The external storage1S usually 1n the form of floppy disk or dis-kette systemr The floppies have a capacityranging from 400 kilobytes to 3 megabytes.From the point of view of storing textualmatter they can accommodate 50 t~ 1200 pages.Disks being a direct access media, text can beretrieved from any whereat a comparativelyfaster speed. When in pperation. these disksare attached to the system through the diskdrives. Word processors may also have magnetictapes in the form of cassettes as externalstorage. In such cases, the capacity isgenerally limited.2.125 Processing Logic

Processing logic is a very importantcomponent of any wordprocessing system. It isthe logic in the word processor that facilitatesthe various functions such as editing. stotingsearching and retrieving the texr.- Therefore.the ~rQcessing logic controls all the componentsof the system.'. In some of the earlier systems,part of this logic is in the form of hardware,that is'to say in the form of electronic cir-cuits. But, in most of the modern systems theprocessing logic is in the form of software fedinto and stored in the internal memory of theword processors. The software programs are

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executed by a microprocessor and are generallysupp1ied by the .nanufacturer of the system.3. TYPES OF WO.,R.DPROCESSING SYS1EM.~

Word processing s~stems could be cate-gorised into 3 groups. i) Stand alone-systems,ii) Linked systems and iii) computer-basedsystems.3.1 Stand-alone Word Processor~

As the name itself indicates, this cate-gory of systems are self contained. They havea ke~board with or without a video display unit(VD~)~ a print unit and some form of storagefac llf ty. If such systems are utilised for thepurpose of information storage and retrieval,they must be software based. The stand-alone\\.Drdprocessor systems are ideally suited fort~editing jobs. . .3.2 Linked Systems

The characteristic of linked systems isthat they utilise the capabilities of a printeron a shared basis. This type of sharing is madepossible by the existence of a mismatch betweenthe processing ~peeds of keying operation andthat of printing. This type of systems will becost-effective in situations wherp. the keyboardoperation is shared by a number of operators forproducing a lengthy textual report.3.3. Computer-based systems

Some of th~ major companies such as, IBM,MP, etc. have started developing their own word

~rocess~rs and have started supplying wordprocess1ng software packages to the ,interestedpartie~. Attempt~ are still being made by suchcompan1es to provlde such facilities as betterfile management techniques and informationprocessing capabilities.4. APPLICATION OF WORD PROCESSORS

Application of computers to informationp~ocessing activities has now become synonymouswi th modern technology. Comrr:crcialorganisa-tions'such as Lockheed, SDC have played a very

_ ,signif!cant ro~e in th~ development of computer-,-"bas,edtnformat ion services. They have developed

sottware packages for searching bibliographicaldata bases both online as well as in batchmodes. Most of the information scientists arefamiliar with systems like DIALOG, ORBIT.BLAISE etc. International organisations likeUnesco and lORe have also contributed to thedevelopment and use of packages like ISIS and~INISIS,.which could be used for generatinglnformatlon services from either internally

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created data bases or from those available oncommercial basis. The search facilitiesassociated with the word processing systems,make this equipment ideally suited for infor-mation processing activities such a's 'textsearching', 'text storage' etc. Apart fromthese activities, word processing systems arebeing used in library house keeping activitiessuch as cataToguing and indexing.4.1 Text Searching:

The traditional approach to retrieval ofbibliographical information involves indexingperfonned by people (manual 'indexing). Eachdocument entering the collection is read orscanned by a person with appropriate subjectandinfonnation science knowledge and is assign-ed a set of words or phrases, which representits content for retrieval. During retrieval,only those 'indexi ng sets' are searched. Intext searching, a document is not manuallyindexed rather a computer generates "text indexSet", which contains every word occuring in thedocument except articles such as the, of andetc. During retrieval the "text 1'riaexsets",are searched. This particular procedure hasan advantage in that it does not suffer fromthe selectivity associated with manual indexing.Most word processors are capable of searchingtextual data from their data store and candisplay the information retrieved on the screensUsually, word processors require a softwareprogram to access information stored in theexternal storage attached to them. Suchsoftware packages are now being supplied bysome of the firms.4.2 Text storage:

The major considerations concerning thestorage facilities of word processors are:The capacity available to hold information andthe methods associated with its filing andindexing aspects for retrieval purposes. Th~seaspects have a direct bearing on the size of adocument or documents which could be manipulat-ed at any given time. Knowledge of the storagefacilities helps the users in a proper utili-sation of the system.4.3. Information storage and Retrieval:

There are two types of applications inthis category. Word processing systems couldbe used as intelligent terminals to retrieveinformation from internal or external databases mounted on a main frame computer systems.Once the required information has been captur-ed. then these systems offer·the capability ofreformatting it in various ways". The infor-mation could be 'customised' either for an

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individual or for a group. A whole range ofinformation gathered from various source canbe combined on the word £rocessor, to producea single bibliography" / 2/7. Word processorsmay also be used as self-contained retrievalsystems. In this cese ; a software package isnecessary to operate the system. By usingthis facility one can provide full textretrieval. The system can search each docu-ment us ing,.keywords or descriptors. Theresults of the searches could either be dis-played on the screen or cou 1 d be -pr intedwi ththe help of a printer as an out put.

Word processors are also being used inonline searching and to' provide access to databases, externally -generated' by us inq communi-cations mode. Many SDI services are utilisingthe potentialities offered by the word process-ing systems.5. CONCLUSION

In India. comput~r applications'i~libraries and 'informalion centres have beenvery limited" both tn scale and type. T.his·ismainly due to the high price associated withcomputer equipment and its opetation. Tneinnovation of microprocessors and wordprocessors is a major break through, and forthe first time, offers an opportunity to pur-chase a dedicated computing facility for alibrary or information centre with relativelya low budget. Many people in other countriesfind this 'prospect encouraging for alteringthe way our profession carries out its work.This potential should carefully be assessed.and its suitability to Indian conditionsexamined prop'erly,.specially in the presentsituation when Indf~ is trying to develop itsinformation system for science and technology.

REFERENCES-1. ARONOFSKY (JS) and KORTHAGE (RR): Tele-

communication in library net works. JLib. Automation. 1977, ~O, 5-27.

2. FOSDICK (HOWARD): The micro-computerrevolution. Lib J 19BO .• IPS, 1467-1478.

MATHEWS (WD): Advances in electronictechnologies. J Lib Automation ·1978,11( 4), 299-307.

4. Microprocessor applications: inter-national survey of practice and exper-ience. Berkshi re , Infotech Internati on-al Ltd., 1979, 359 p.

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5. MONETA (J): Infonnation technology:proceedings of 3rd Jerusalem conferenceon information technology. Amsterdam,North Holland, 1978, 791-901.MOULTION (LW): Word Processing equip-ment for Information Centres. SpecialLibs 1980. 71(11). 492-496.RESNIKOFF (HL): The Societal signi-ficance of Information Science.Communication Year Book IV. 1980.

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8. WHITEHEAD (J): Word Processing: anintroduction and appraisal. J Doc 1980.36 (4). 313-341.WILLIAMS (JG): Text Processing. Ency-clopedia of Inf. Science 30. 1980.384-88.WINFIELD (RP): An informal Survey ofoperational microprocessor-based systems •.Program 1980. 14(3}. 121-129.

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