On designing generalized file records for management information systems

The centrality of the files in a MIS (Management Information System), or in any other large scale computer application, has been traditionally considered as self-evident. The new problems of operating systems and the languages for use in the 3rd generation computers, plus the relatively unknown world of integrated data communications may tend to remove the files from the limelight. This should be avoided. Most business applications will continue to be "file bound," or I/O limited, even with random access to the data base.