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A COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR EDITING DIAGNOSTIC KEYS FOR FLORA NORTH AMERICA
Author(s) -
Morse Larry E.,
Beaman John H.,
Shetler Stanwyn G.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
taxon
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1996-8175
pISSN - 0040-0262
DOI - 10.2307/1216042
Subject(s) - computer science , taxon , key (lock) , representation (politics) , variety (cybernetics) , world wide web , information retrieval , artificial intelligence , ecology , biology , operating system , politics , political science , law
Summary Computer programs are being developed and tested for editing dichotomous keys, particularly to meet the challenges offered by the Flora North America Project. An elementary editing system is available for revising previously prepared keys; the new versions are then printed in conventional indented form. An advanced editing system currently being tested improves the efficiency of the process and offers a choice of output formats. For this latter approach the data are stored in three files: a taxon list, a descriptor list, and a numeric representation of the key. A variety of editing procedures are possible, including additions and deletions of taxa, changes in descriptors, and even translation of the key from one language to another. The system is designed for compatibility with the first author's experimental programs for constructing keys and making direct identifications.