Abstract: Method for creating programs and processing data by having data in the form of data cards readily moved in and out of, and exchanged between, a command module, automatic editing display generator, printer generator and database. Programs may be written by simply selecting necessary commands in a small number of characters. The commands may be selected illustratively through kana-kanji conversion input. There is no need to type long sentences in alphabetic characters or in symbols. On arrival at the database, the data card containing actual data is controlled solely by the data characteristics of the database for file storage and editing, free of the constraints of any other module. A group of files on a magnetic disk where data layouts are defined may be readily accessed by anyone with little knowledge of computer systems by use of an appropriate series of database commands. Furthermore, the data cards containing actual data may be processed individually and parallelly by each of the modules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for creating easily and quickly a program that allows new slips to be read by an automatic reading apparatus. A new slip is first input to the automatic reading apparatus. The reading apparatus reads from the slip its reference symbol and its information patterns indicating areas in which to write alphanumeric characters. The reference symbol is interpreted and assigned a numeric code that places the slip in an appropriate category. From each slip, the coordinates of a plurality of information patterns therein are detected. The areas designated by the coordinates are separated into numeric data and image data entry areas. These areas are defined using accounting terms. It is then defined that a numeral is recognized from the image of each numeric data area, and that an image is extracted and transferred from each image data area.