Programming by Questionnaire

A description of the Job Shop Simulation Program Generator, an application of the programming by questionnaire technique developed at the RAND Corporation to reduce the cost and time required to produce large computer programs, particularly those required for simulations of portions of the Air Force logistics system. The user can obtain a computer program by filling out a multiple-choice questionnaire covering aspects of the job shop he wishes to simulate. Answers are punched on seven cards that are fed to the program generator, which checks the answers for consistency, generates the program, and produces the data specifications. The user then completes the data deck according to the specifications, adds it to the end of the program deck, and submits the entire program to the computer. The output consists of interim reports on resource utilization, job statistics, and queue statistics, and a final summary report. The functions of the various routines and the meaning of the variables in the SIMSCRIPT definition deck are given for the use of SIMSCRIPT programmers.