A Survey of 4GL Users and Applications

Abstract

Fourth-generation languages (4GLs) have been widely hailed as the “saviors” of data processing problems in the 1980s and in the future. They have also been condemned as limited in application. Relatively few studies examine the organizational use of such tools without presenting it as a case study of only one organization's experience. This article discusses the results of a survey of organizations using fourth-generation languages.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John A. Lehman

John A. Lehman is currently an associate professor of MIS in the School of Management, University of Alaska. He received his PhD in computer information systems and an MBA, MA, and BA from the University of Michigan. Ann Arbor. His research interests include management use of computer graphics, decision support systems, program documentation, and software design

James C. Wetherbe

James C. Wetherbe is director of the MIS Research Center and professor of MIS in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Wetherbe has held MIS management and technical positions with several major US corporations. has directed computer centers, and has been on the faculty of several universities. He is the author of 12 books in the areas of systems analysis and MIS management.