Multilingual Demographic Dictionary, second unified edition, English volume

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221

To extract information mechanically it is first necessary to code ¹ the information on the basic document ². This process consists of the translation of the information into numerical form by means of code numbers ³. The key by which this information is translated is known as a coding scheme ⁴. Such a scheme limits possible sub-division of the data, but in the ultimate tabulation or breakdown certain codes may be shown in combination. A combination of individual codes may be called a classification ⁵ (cf. 130-7*) where the information is shown under certain heads ⁶ (cf. 110-2) or headings ⁶.

• 1. code n. — code v. — coder n'., one who codes.

222

There are four fundamental operations in mechanical tabulation. Punching ¹ consists of the transfer of the information to a punched card ² sometimes called a punch card ². The information is shown on that card by punching a hole in a given position. Verification ³ is the process of checking the accuracy of the punching. Sorting ⁴ is the arrangement of cards in a certain order, and tabulation ⁵ consists of counting the cards or the information on them in certain groups and totalling ⁶ them in these groups. The mechanical tabulation of data is in process of very rapid development and new terms and operations are being introduced almost continuously. Thus mark sensing ⁷ is a process by which pencil marks on a document are automatically translated into punched holes on the same document. This operation has the effect of mechanizing the two manual processes of punching and verification.

• 3. verification n. — verify v. 5. tabulation n. — tabulate v.

223

The machines used in these operations are the punch ¹, verifier ², sorter ³ and tabulator ⁴. Other machines used in mechanical tabulation are the reproducer ⁵, which copies information from one punched card to another, the interpreter ⁶, which converts the information contained on the cards as punched holes into print on the card, and the collator ⁷, which is used for the comparison or merging of different packs of cards. The summary punch ⁸ is used for preparing cards, sometimes called summary cards ⁹, containing intermediate totals, which can then be used in later tabulations.

224

Adding machines ¹ are used for the processes of addition and subtraction, the term calculating machine ² being in general reserved for machines capable of performing also multiplication and division. Small calculating machines and adding machines are often referred to as desk machines ³, The multiplier ⁴ is a punched card machine, which performs certain calculations and punches the results on the cards containing the original data. Electronic computing ⁵ makes it possible to perform a large number of calculations within a very short space of time. The machines that do this are electronic computers ⁶.

225

Slide-rules ¹ are used as an aid to calculations. Nomographic methods of computation ² may also be used. A nomogram ³ is a figure (155-2) whereby calculations can often be made at sight.

• 3. nomography n., the part of mathematics dealing with the construction and use of nomograms.