This paper discusses the architecture of a metasystem, which can be used to generate intelligent information systems for different domains of discourse. It points out the kinds of knowledge accepted by the system, and the way the knowledge is used to do nontrivial problem solving. The organization of the system makes it possible for it to function in the context of a large and expanding data base. The metasystem provides a basis for the definition of the concept of machine understanding in terms of the models that the machine can build in a domain, and the way it can use the models.

This paper introduces two schemes to correct bit errors caused by defective memory cells in high-speed random-access memory systems. The schemes are addressed to word-organized memories produced by the integrated technologies. One of the two schemes calls for encoding of input information and the other does not. The schemes are simple, economical for the technologies concerned, and exhibit a regularity which makes it possible to fabricate the necessary additional hardware within the same technology.

A few classes of codes, suitable for error correction in high-speed memory systems, are presented. The codes have relatively simple parallel decoding nets. The codes may be used for the correction of both temporary and catastrophic errors.

CDLI is a formal language for describing hardware and software computing systems in various stages of design. As a formal language to talk about systems of this kind, CDLI provides a linguistic basis to consider machine aided solutions to a variety of design problems. In the context of CDLI, we are envisioning at present systems for design documentation, data retrieval, editing, design analysis, simulation and eventually automatic synthesis. The creation of a powerful and flexible descriptive data base is the key conceptual and technical problem that we must solve to implement these systems. The features introduced in the description language, CDLI, and the kinds of processors that are being developed for the documentation system are intended as solutions for this problem. The system so created will give us a point of departure for further explorations in this area through experimentation.