Command language ease of use: a comparison of DIALOG and ORBIT

Abstract

This paper examines results of a survey concerning online users' attitudes and perceptions of the ease of use and other factors of Lockheed's DIALOG and SDC's ORBIT command or query languages. Analysis of the results shows that, along with such factors as the number of files and system first learned, perceived ease of use of a command language is an important consideration in user preference for a given system, and therefore is one of the important reasons why most users prefer DIALOG.