RA 00015.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

C o m p u t e r
S e r v i c e s
ICRISAT's Computer Services unit is equipped
with a "DECdata" system 550, which it operates
as a dedicated timesharing system utilizing the
RSTS/E (Resource Sharing Time Sharing Extended)
operating procedure. Resources of the
system are accessible to ICRISAT scientists
through terminals located in the computer
center.
Objectives
The goal of the Computer Services unit is to
integrate the use of the ICRISAT computer
system into the daily routine of the research,
administrative, and service activities of the Institute.
In order to achieve this goal, the Computer
Services unit is
(i) developing interactive systems which are
easy to use,
(ii) providing data-entry services, and
(iii) conducting seminars on computer usage
and programming.
Current Stage of
Development
The major emphasis in Computer Services during
the past year has been on the improvement of
the statistical-analysis capability of the system.
The file structure used to store research data in
on-line disk files was improved to permit the
storing of larger collections of data more efficiently.
Eleven new data-editing options were
introduced and the entire set of editing routines
was grouped into a file-editing subsystem. This
subsystem permits the different editing options
to be invoked through the specification of a twoletter
code. The statistical-analysis routines were
integrated into a single system called the Crop
Research Integrated Statistical Package
(CRISP), which permits the use of a set of
commands for selecting the desired analysis. A
single computer-system command is required to
gain access to CRISP. Under CRISP, the user
can proceed through a sequence of analyses by
choosing the appropriate options and does not
have to revert to computer-system commands.
At present there are 42 statistical-analysis and
data-manipulation routines available under
CRISP. Access to the file-editing subsystem is
gained through two CRISP commands.
The system developed to store and maintain
Village Level Studies data collected by the Economics
Program was improved by the addition
of a subsetting capability. This feature permits
the selection of a subset of data from a data file,
based on a logical combination of conditions
imposed on the data. A conversion routine was
developed which permits restructuring of the
Economics Program file structure into the structure
required under CRISP, in order that existing
statistical analysis routines can be used to analyze
this data also. A modified form of the system
developed for the Economics Program is being
used to store and maintain ICRISAT's germplasm
data. During the next year, an improved
system for storage and retrieval of large data
bases will be developed to accommodate both the
Economics and germplasm data.
An improved system for performing randomizations,
printing seed-packet labels, and generating
field books was introduced to the users in
early May, 1977. Under this system the name and
description of, factor identification for, and the
person responsible for the experiment are stored
in a file on disk. The resultant randomization is
also stored in this file. This information is used to
initialize the data file required to store the data
for analysis, using routines under CRISP. Data
can be entered directly from field books without
reordering, thus reducing the occurrence of
transcription errors. The field book system is
accessed through commands under CRISP.
Work has progressed on the computerized
fiscal accounting system and various aspects of it
have been under test since April. Under this
system, all operational, capital, and special accounts
will be stored in a disk file. Each day a
transaction file is created from input at a terminal
and the accounts in the budget file are updated
from these transactions. Once the system is fully
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