Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

Review
Reviewed Work(s): Analog and Digital Computer Technology by Norman R. Scott
Review by: Peter L. Balise
Source: American Scientist, Vol. 49, No. 2 (JUNE 1961), pp. 206A-207A
Published by: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27827818
Accessed: 06-11-2017 02:35 UTC

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times, but there are other voices who
ought to be heard, for the views of
these two (who are the only ones
discussed) are by no means the only
important ones to consider in a dis
cussion on science and religion. On
the other hand, the author is to be
commended for his grasp of the implica
tions of modern scientific thought, and
the few pages he has devoted to this
subject are well written.
The author attempts no synthesis of
science and religion in his final pages.
Indeed he states "We must be extremely
cautious in any positive interrelating of
theology and science." To this reviewer
he seems overly cautious, although he is
correct in realizing that no easy syn
thesis is possible. But the Christian
concept of God is that of creator as
well as redeemer, and the world of
natural phenomena, including of course
man himself, can never be isolated
from man's spiritual pilgrimage, and
the Christian must boldly encompass
them both in his total philosophy
R. K. Toner
Analog and Digital Computer Tech
nology by Norman R. Scott; 522
pages; $12.75; McGraw-Hill Book
Co., 1960.
Even more distinctly than might be
expected from the title, this volume is
really two books, although the sep
aration is not formally made. The first
third deals with the analog computer,
and the remainder concerns the digital
computer. Surprisingly, those aspects
common to both, such as digital dif
ferential analyzers and analog-digital
converters, are omitted. The text is
definitely oriented towards the elec
trical engineering advanced undergrad
uate or beginning graduate student, to
provide him with a foundation for
further study. Other readers can gain
basic knowledge of computer program
ming and ample information on internal
components and circuitry.
Analog computation is clearly in
troduced in the usual manner, but
scaling, that bogy of the beginner, is
approached by the methods which are
most common but most confusing in the
Qpinion of this reviewer, who suggests
that amplitude scaling is best done by
normalizing dependent variables so
their expected maxima will be one
machine unit, and time scaling seems
most easily accomplished simply by
adjusting computer speed. Scott ex
plains other subjects, such as instability
and inverse function generation, with
unusual clarity. Nonlinear functions
and amplifier circuitry are well covered.
Digital computation is discussed
with considerable generality, although
the specific examples are only in terms
of MIC and MIDAC, University of
Michigan computers. These illustrate
both machine language and automatic
programming. Number systems and
logical algebra are treated more ex
haustively than usual in an introductory
text; this thoroughness is appropriate in
conjunction with the very informative
section on electronic logic circuits.
Storage is also described compre
hensively, concluding with a list of
relatively unusual memory systems
referenced to the excellent bibliography.
?Peter L. Balise
Radiation Chemistry of Organic Com
pounds by A. J. Swallow*; 380 pages;
$15.00; Pergamon Press Inc., 1960.
This work by Swallow has many fine
characteristics and is a welcome addi
tion to the library of chemical literature.
Based largely on the Chemical Review
article which Swallow co-authored with
Collinson in 1956, the subject has been
updated through 1958 and some very
valuable material added.
The volume begins with several
brief introductory chapters on funda
mentals of radiation chemistry and
experimental techniques. The reviewer
considers the chapter on techniques an
admirable inclusion but regrets that it
was not given a more thorough treat
ment. Then follows a chapter on aqueous
radiation chemistry and its significance
to dosimetry, biological studies, and
organic reactions.
The body of this volume contains
separate chapters on various classes
MELPAR t iNc
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