A Small Matter of Programming: Perspectives on End User Computing [Hardcover]

Bonnie A. Nardi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0262140535 | ISBN-13: 978-0262140539 | Publication Date: July 15, 1993 | Edition: 1St Edition

A Small Matter of Programming asks why it has been so difficult for end users to command programming power and explores the problems of end user-driven application development that must be solved to afford end users greater computational power.Drawing on empirical research on existing end user systems, A Small Matter of Programming analyzes cognitive, social, and technical issues of end user programming. In particular, it examines the importance of task-specific programming languages, visual application frameworks, and collaborative work practices for end user computing, with the goal of helping designers and programmers understand and better satisfy the needs of end users who want the capability to create, customize, and extend their applications software.The ideas in the book are based on the author's research on two successful end user programming systems - spreadsheets and CAD systems - as well as other empirical research. Nardi concentrates on broad issues in end user programming, especially end users' strengths and problems, introducing tools and techniques as they are related to higher-level user issues.Bonnie A. Nardi is a Member of the Technical Staff at Hewlett Packard Laboratories.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is a wonderful book, one of those little volumes that makes you think, imagine, and argue all at the same time. Computers are being used, but by whom? Does anyone really have any idea what folks are really doing with computers? If programmers are the only ones who think they know what end users want, why are computers so underutilized? Over and over, you'll find yourself turning Nardi's queries in your imagination and asking new questions about humans and machines. The core of Nardi's work is its anthropological approach to computing, observing, and studying the "natives" (or end users) as they use spreadsheets and CAD programs. The answers from this ethnographic studies are surprising. Computing is successful when the right tools-tools that make software and computers work right for everyday tasks-are in the hands of end users rather than programmers. All computing power to the people, not to the high priests or the geeks. Hurrah for Nardi, and read this book!
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Bonnie A. Nardi is Associate Professor in the School of Information and Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine. She is the author of A Small Matter of Programming (1993), and coauthor of Information Ecologies: Using Technology with Heart (1999), both published by the MIT Press.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 178 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press; 1St Edition edition (July 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262140535
• ISBN-13: 978-0262140539
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,322,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A taste of an important topic, February 18, 2001

By 

B. Scott Andersen (Acton, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Small Matter of Programming: Perspectives on End User Computing (Hardcover)

Computer makers continue to bring faster machines to market and end user software has become more feature-rich, but facilities for user customization are still primitive. Must end users be programmers to get the most of their software and their machines?

"This book asks why it has been so difficult for end users to command programming power and explores the critical problems of end user application development that must be solved to afford end users greater computational power." This is an ambitious goal. Except for the notable success of the spreadsheet, few applications provide a programming model acceptable to end users. The basic problem is that most extensions to applications are implemented with a broad, general purpose facility instead of an approach that appears to be focused on the particular problem domain. The successful end user programming models typically leverage and build upon the end user's domain experience and intuition.

As Nardi points out, "A mathematician, in a broad sense, already knows Mathematica, an accountant already knows Lotus 1-2-3, a statistician already knows SPSS." Still, except for these examples, and extensions to AutoCAD, Nardi is hard pressed to show positive examples of end user empowerment. Is it because most end users are not smart enough or willing to work hard enough? No, argues Nardi, and quite convincingly.

End users learn arcane and tedious formal systems all the time. She points out baseball fans can capture every pitch, and every play on a single score sheet and knitting fans, who themselves would probably not say they often learn and utilize formal systems, can read and use intricate patterns to make afghans. People are clever and persistent when it is interesting to them. That is the key.

Nardi cites another example from the AutoCAD world. "This book assumes you are a drawing professional, more interested in maximizing your use of AutoCAD than becoming a professional programmer." This is exactly the point.

The book is brief (143 pages plus references and so on), and left me wanting for more. It seemed more like an appetizer instead of a main course. For this reason, I thought I could only give it 3 stars. Still, there is precious little written on this subject so any contribution is welcome.

Eventually, end users will realize that all this computing power available today is largely wasted because there exists no easy mechanism for them to customize and extend their applications. When this happens, end user computing problems will be shoved to the forefront instead of idling in the background as it is today. Nardi's discussions are a great starting point. With luck, she, and others, will follow with solid advice for how to proceed.

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book, February 13, 2001

By 

Chris O'Leary (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Small Matter of Programming: Perspectives on End User Computing (Hardcover)

I am now reading this book for about the 7th time and still find its insights amazing. People looking to make a difference in the world should look at the discussion about why spreadsheets are easy to use.