Standard Definitions: Missing and Needed Software Tools

This article, which appeared in the GAO Review, Vol. 13, Issue 6, Spring 1978, discussed the software problems which are emerging with the increased use of computers by federal agencies. Terminology is a constant difficulty with audit work in the software area. The field is new and software terms mean different things to different people. In addition, the field has moved so fast that standards organizations cannot keep up. The most recent publication of standard definitions is now 8 years old, and the author of this article discussed the meanings of many terms and emphasized that care is needed in the use of computer terminology.