Abstract: Interactive Computer Program to Analyze Coal-Energy Resources (PACER)

Allison C. Olson, Simon M. Cargill

The requirement for a rapid and timely retrieval and analysis of coal-resource inventory information has resulted in the development of software to adapt the Geologic Retrieval and Synopsis Program (GRASP) for application to the National Coal Resources Data System. The PACER system utilizes the basic search, retrieval, and analysis functions of GRASP, but also provides an interactive-editing capability to add, delete, or modify coal-resource and chemical-analysis records. It further permits tabular summary of information aggregated by location, coal rank, depth, and reliability for tonnage records and by location, rank, chemical, and BTU content for analysis records. The added editing capability provides a method for the user to enter new data into the master file and pro ides a check for data names not already in the dictionaries. It permits universal changes to a data element for all records residing in a selected data subfile, or selection by index key of a record previously identified for data change. This editing software, although unique to the assigned-record structure for a given master file, can be modified easily to accept additional files that have differing record structures. The coal-resource (tonnage) and analysis files contain information from published documents. Time-shared interactive software provides the user with the ability to respond to queries for resource-inventory information and to disseminate this information in comprehensible, hard-copy summaries. The editing capability ensures up-to-date maintenance for an ever-changing data ase.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90972©1976 AAPG-SEPM Annual Convention and Exhibition, New Orleans, LA