Construction of a Mnemonic Dictionary for Computer-Aided Engineering Writing

The transmittal of engineering language to a computer for document processing is examined, in particular, the organization of a coding dictionary and the selection of code words for such transmittal. These code words or "mnemonics" are of two types, "verbs" and "nouns." Verbs require the computer to perform certain processing actions and nouns transmit standard phrases, sentences, and paragraphs of engineering language to the computer. Rules for the organization of a noun-mnemonic dictionary are examined. Four principal requirements which the mnemonics listed in the dictionary should satisfy are described. These requirements include 1) adherence to the computer sorting order, 2) adherence to the plan of the document being processed, 3) provision of adequate coding range for dictionary expansion or change, and 4) coding of the standard phrases, sentences, and paragraphs in an easily remembered manner. The dictionary organization for a specimen document is examined and specific recommendations are made.