This paper reviews the historical development of data processing, discerning three approximate decades of distinct evolutionary cycles. Each cycle is seen as forking, two contrasting styles of data processing forming and separating during the cycle. On this basis, a classification of the major general areas of data processing is suggested. For each decade, characteristic aspects are discussed and both the lines of development are described. Finally, some observations regarding the present decade and its requirements are given, and some predictions relating to the next decade and its prerequisites are made.
History
Publication title
The Australian Computer Journal
Volume
9
Article number
1
Number
1
Pagination
32-38
ISSN
0004-8917
Publication status
Published
Rights statement
Published in the tenth anniversary issue of The Australian Computer Journal.