B74-43 Evaluation and Measurement Techniques for Digital Computer Systems

Inevitably, the author of a pioneering work faces a difficult task. In a volatile field such as performance analysis, this difficulty is increased by the likelihood that techniques which were reasonably new at the time the author commenced writing the book, will be well known by the time of its appearance and review. Unfortunately, the book by Mr. Drummond has fallen prey to this possibility. As a result, the user will find the book to contain a wealth of useful, historical information; however, it is unlikely that the user will feel, upon concluding the book, that he has the field of performance "in hand." To provide context for this comment, let us begin by citing the contents of the book.