the market examined in some detail. A basic introduction to programming techniques, including sections dealing with the choice of language and pro- gram development aids, is also given.

The influence of government policies, particularly those of the US, Japanese and UK governments, on the microelectronics industry is considered. Not surprisingly, perhaps, most time is spent on Inmos and the MAP scheme.

As well as providing this introduction to microelectronics for the uniniti- ated, the report sets out to be a use- ful reference source for those who are already experienced in the use of micro- processors. It succeeds in this in its central sections, which give data sheets summarizing important device characteristics and providing back- ground information on the companies. It is stressed that these data sheets are for quick reference and comparison only, and that they are no substitute for the manufacturers' full data sheets (some of which are included as an appendix). They are nevertheless a convenient and useful part of the volume, as is the information on UK distributors.

Another section of general value is that setting out the essential require- ments for starting a new micropro- cessor-based development. Emphasis is placed on the availability of particular devices, whether there are second- source agreements resulting in equi-

valent chips and improving supply, as one of the main selection criteria.

The price of this guide may seem high for what is essentially an intro- ductory text on microelectronics with a collection of data from manufac- turers' data sheets. When compared

with the amounts that can be spent on any new microprocessor appli- cation (or on seeking the indepen.. dent, unbiased and responsible advice advocated in the report), it does not seem so much.

Robert Parry

Programs in BASIC for electronic engineers, technicians and experimenters This little book contains programs written in BASIC that could be of interest to most engineers. Ken Tracton has written a series of books in this field, from games programs to quite complex mathematical ones.

The sort of programs presented are those that could be written by any electronics engineer who is familiar with BASIC. The shortest would take about~ 30 seconds frequency to wavelength conversion but the longest about an hour or so. This book will therefore pay for itself i f the buyer can use about one quarter of the contents.

Although not exactly computer aided design, the most useful pro- grams are those dealing with topics such as Class A biasing, op amp design and reliability. Some mathe- matical programs are also included,

mainly of a statistical nature. One problem when using a book

such as this is the portability of the programs. Translating from the BASIC that Tracton uses to Pet BASIC, for example, is fairly easy except when a print routine is required. Some reformatting of the output is then needed especially when computer waveforms are required.

Whether the book format is an efficient method of propagating suci~ programs is questionable. What is really needed is a suite of programs for electronics engineers on discs. By the time most of the longer pro- grams have been loaded from the keyboard, or in a cassette, they could have been written from scratch!

Robin Bradbeer

ERRATA Holding, D and Wood, G Communications in microprocessor industrial implementation' Microprocessors and Micro- systems Vol 3 No 10 (December 1979) pp 443-451

• Strapline:

'Graham Wood'

should read

'Graeme Wood'

• Acknowledgements:

'Communications in microprocessor industrial implementation'

should read

'Communications in microprocessor industrial instrumentation'

68 microprocessors and microsystems