ASL - The Future

Transcribed from the printed issue; not yet reviewed. Read it in the PDF of the issue, page 31

The experience gained over the production of ASL software shows that ‘voluntary’ software development is a slow process. This is not only true of ASL for it occurs with other software. For example users of GLIM are still awaiting the imminent arrival of GLIM 4.

The problems that arise are manyfold. The initial burst of software follows the interest of the author. Hence often a volunteer will provide the interesting element where thought is necessary. The difficulty arises of getting the other functions, which are more basic, written. These are often supposedly trivial functions which are required to provide either general utility or a minor support function.

ASL was originally fortunate that both Alan Sykes and Tony O’Hagan had the desire and commitment to complete their tasks. Hence we have the two volumes: ASLGREG and ASLGRAPH. Unfortunately the Basic Statistics Volume of the Bottom Shelf has existed in embryonic form for too long. Hopefully by the time this edition of Vector is published it too will be available.

It is time to stress though that the ASL project continues and that there will be future releases of software. In this edition of Vector an article appears detailing a suggested volume of the Reliability shelf. There are other shelves in the process of production.

Beyond this there are a number of possible shelves to be constructed/developed. However, these shelves will only be added if individuals are willing to come forward to assist. In the past there has been considerable effort given on a voluntary basis and many need to be thanked. But the project will require further assistance.

At the present time ASL has developed an in-house coding standard. It also has had a team of willing software testers who have helped considerably the production of the current ASL software. If there are statisticians or others with code which they think would be appropriate for ASL then they should contact either Alan Sykes or myself at addresses given above.

THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT IS IN YOUR HANDS.