Automatic data processing in chromatography — A mixed blessing

Summary Possible changes in chemical analysis as a result of the introduction of microprocessors are discussed. Many of the problems associated with mini-computer systems for GC arise from putting too many facilities into small systems because of price constraints. These should disappear with widespread use of microprocessors. The problems of inadequate or inappropriate software are a little more intractable. However, the software industry has learnt a lot in the past decade and, while bad software continues to be produced in some quantity, the tools to construct good programs are becoming readily available, and should give rise to improved systems.