The JOSS Primer
ResearchPublished 1967
Introduction to JOSS, RAND's time-shared computing system, for the beginning user with examples illustrating the system's basic elements, which can easily be learned without programming experience. Seated at a mobile console connected to a computer via telephone lines, the Primer reader follows the instructions step by step, duplicating examples, trying variations, and observing results. He types commands in imperative English sentences, instructing JOSS to perform procedures in arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and logic. JOSS responds with answers in user-prescribed formats and with error messages that help the user correct errors and resume processing. To extend the beginner's knowledge of JOSS, the Primer concludes with lists of JOSS commands and functions and suggested reading in the JOSS literature.
Document Details
- Copyright: RAND Corporation
- Availability: Web-Only
- Year: 1967
- Pages: 44
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/pubs
- Document Number: RM-5220-PR
Citation
RAND Style Manual
Marks, Shirley L. and George W. Armerding, The JOSS Primer, RAND Corporation, RM-5220-PR, 1967. As of July 10, 2026: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM5220.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Marks, Shirley L. and George W. Armerding, The JOSS Primer. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1967. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM5220.html.
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