Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (Print PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kibby, M. R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Kibby, M. R.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1985 IRL Press Ltd.

The electronic spreadsheet as a general–purpose programming tool

Michael R. Kibby

Biochemistry Division, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Strathclyde, Todd Centre Taylor Street, Glasgow G4 ONR, UK

Electronic spreadsheets computerise the traditional layout of any tabulation or complex calculation done with pencil, paper and calculator. They therefore have great potential in aiding routine calculations which might be done by these means or with a small BASIC computer program. Their simple structure and strong affinity with traditional methods make them particularly suitable for those who have not yet mastered the art of programming. However, a necessarily brief review of their application to science and technology demonstrates that this potential is not being realised in comparison with their widespread usage in the business world. The application of both Multiplan and Visicalc running respectively on the Macintosh and the Apple He microcomputers in four types of calculation is demonstrated: tabulation, curve–fitting and statistics, simulation, and numerical approximation. Advantages are found in the concurrent display of data and results, the ease of correction or modification of data and the escape from traditional linear programming methods. The spreadsheet format imposes its own constraints. It is not so flexible as BASIC, it demands more memory and may have a slower execution time than a program written in a high–level language, and it is more difficult to produce graphical output.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.