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540 Part Four Building and Managing Systems

what to do and how to do it. Nonprocedural languages need only specify what
has to be accomplished rather than provide details about how to carry out the
task.
Table 13.3 shows that there are seven categories of fourth-generation lan-
guages: PC software tools, query languages, report generators, graphics lan-
guages, application generators, application software packages, and very high-
level programming languages. The table shows the tools ordered in terms of
ease of use by nonprogramming end users. End users are most likely to work
with PC software tools and query languages. Query languages are software
tools that provide immediate online answers to requests for information that
are not predefined, such as “Who are the highest-performing sales representa-
tives?” Query languages are often tied to data management software and to
database management systems (see Chapter 6).
On the whole, end-user-developed systems can be completed more rapidly
than those developed through the conventional systems life cycle. Allowing
users to specify their own business needs improves requirements gathering
and often leads to a higher level of user involvement and satisfaction with the
system. However, fourth-generation tools still cannot replace conventional tools

TABLE 13.3 CATEGORIES OF FOURTH-GENERATION LANGUAGES
FOURTH-GENERATION TOOL DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE

PC software tools General-purpose application software packages for Microsoft Excel Oriented
PCs. Microsoft Access toward end
users
Query language Languages for retrieving data stored in databases SQL
or files. Capable of supporting requests for
information that are not predefined.
Report generator Extract data from files or databases to create Crystal Reports
customized reports in a wide range of formats not
routinely produced by an information system.
Generally provide more control over the way data
are formatted, organized, and displayed than query
languages.
Graphics language Retrieve data from files or databases and display SAS/GRAPH
them in graphic format. Some graphics software Systat
can perform arithmetic or logical operations on
data as well.
Application generator Contain preprogrammed modules that can WebFOCUS
generate entire applications, including Web sites, QuickBase
greatly speeding development. A user can specify
what needs to be done, and the application
generator will create the appropriate program code
for input, validation, update, processing, and
reporting.
Application software Software programs sold or leased by commercial Oracle PeopleSoft HCM
package vendors that eliminate the need for custom-written, mySAP ERP
in-house software.

Very high-level Generate program code with fewer instructions APL
Oriented
programming language than conventional languages, such as COBOL or Nomad2 toward IS
FORTRAN. Designed primarily as productivity tools
for professional programmers.

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