MIS Professionals' Attitudes Toward and Perceptions of 4GLs

Abstract

Each generation of programming languages has made applications easier to develop. In recent years, the use of fourth-generation languages (4GLs) has allowed many users, formerly alienated from the systems development process, to fulfill their own information needs. MIS professionals, however, have reacted negatively to the use of 4GLs. This article presents a survey of MIS professionals, who reveal their perceptions of the use and productivity of 4GLs as well as some of the obstacles that prevent them front using 4GLs in their organizations.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mehdi Khosrowpour

Mehdi Khosrowpour is assistant professor and chairman of the Information Systems Program, Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg. He is also a senior consultant with Information Management Associates, a Harrisburg-based consulting company, Khosrowpour is a member of the Association for Systems Management, Academy of Management, Decision Sciences Institute, and Society of Data Educators. He also serves as the Editor-in-Charge of the Information Resources Management Journal.

John M. Lanasa

John M. Lanasa is assistant professor of marketing and MIS at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh PA. He received his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh. Lanasa has 15 years' industrial experience in information systems and the integration of computer technology in marketing applications.