Although the Common Business Oriented Lsmguage was originally designed for use in business data processing, the lsnguage is now being employed as a simulation langusge under certain limiting conditions. Factors influencing the application of the language to simulation studies include its popularity, its self-documenting characteristic, its '"oelievability," and its efficiency in progrsmm~ng the triangular distribution.A necessary requisite in any simulation study is the progrsmm~ng of random number generators to simulate the random occurrence of various events. Several methods of generating random numbers are available, but the technique most frequently used is the power residue method. Since most simulation studies are progr~m-d with PORTRAN (a general Imlrpose language'), simulation l~s (SI.MBCRIPT, GPSS, GASP, etc.), or machine languages, little attention has been devoted to p~ogr~mm~g the power residue method of random number generation with CGBOL.A procedure is presented which describes and discusses COBOL progrsmm~ng of random number generation for the binary computer aud the decimal computer utilizing the power residue method. Program excerpts are provided to illustrate the procedure, and comparative differences in COBOL programming for the two computer types are noted. Conditions most favorable to COBOL progr,mm~ng of simulation studies are also discussed, as well as the conditions under which CGBOL programming is not recommended. Q !

Increased emphasis on solving social problems has demanded better manpower planning in all areas, but particularly in health services planning. A unique forecasting model is developed forpredic~ ing probabilistically the number of physicians required for specified future time periods. Each factor in the model is treated as arandomvariable with a triangular probability distribution. Exercising the model producesaprobabilitydistribution for the incremental number of physicians needed for the specified time period.The simulation results indicate that community health planners are able to assess future physician requirements probabilistically and with greater confidence than with traditional point estimation techniques.

This paper explains the concept of the Community Development Corporation (CDC), the primary purpose of which is to help small businesses create jobs by providing initial funding along with technical and managerial advice in geographic areas that are economically depressed. A typical Community Development Corporation is used to demonstrate the actual operation of this concept in a rural environment focusing on the improvement of the Corporation's methodology of defining activities, operations, and flow charts. Adjustments in one of these activities precipitates significant improvements in other CDC operations and in the ability of a CDC-aided business to succeed over the long term.

No abstract