A Computer‐based System for Forming Identification Keys

Summary The criteria for maximal efficiency in identification keys are briefly reviewed. Some techniques for meeting these criteria in a system using numerically coded data are described. The general structure of a key‐forming program written for an I.C.L. 1301 computer is given. The performance of this program using a small set of data is briefly reported and some desirable refinements are noted. The results of this study were generally satisfactory and the system shows promise in the rapid production of keys for a variety of special uses.