The lectures presented in this volume were part of a series marking the establishment at Brown University of a Center for Computer and Information Sciences. They were supported by a grant from the Office of Computing Activities of the National Science Foundation, which is herewith gratefully acknowledged.
It is the function of this Center to act as a focus for research and instructional activities related to the sciences of computing and information processing. This includes the design of both undergraduate and graduate curricula, the coordination of research projects, and the rendering of expert advice on the hardware and software systems necessary for the conduct of the University's computer-related activities.
The Center draws its strength from the Departments most intimately concerned with its mission, and cooperates with all sections of the University community in the accomplishments of its objectives.
Instruction and research in the core subjects of computer science — both theoretical and experimental — are currently being carried out principally in the Division of Applied Mathematics; hence its representation in these pages.
This volume of Advances in Computers differs from the preceding ones in the participation of a Guest Editor at the invitation of the regular editors. I would like to thank Dr. Alt and Dr. Rubinoff for the opportunity to assume that role for Volume 10.
We are grateful to the participants in this series for the time they have lavished on the preparation of their lectures for publication — always a somewhat bothersome undertaking—and particularly to our guest-lecturers for having joined us in our enterprise.