A resource-allocation scheme for multi-user on-line operation of a small computer

Recently a great deal of interest has been evident in on-line information retrieval systems in which the retrieval search involves real-time man computer interaction. The advantages of such systems are becoming well known. Operating systems designed to allow on-line time-shared information retrieval have common characteristics which distinguish them from other types of on-line systems. The system designer has to face problems in allocating the available computer resources that are not usually encountered in other contexts.