The development and use of a modern data bank

The modern data bank emphasizes immediate access by a user community which may be large in number, widespread, and having varied needs. Electronic computers have been found very useful in the processing of stored information. The key to the design of a data bank is the optimum mix of human intellectual effort and mechanized processing. The elements of the NASA data bank are presented as one approach to the many trade-off decisions involved in the development of a data bank and integrated information system.