“A real-time computer system may be defined as one which controls an environment by receiving data, processing them, and taking action or returning results sufficiently quickly to affect the functioning of the environment at that time.”

—  James Martin (author)

Martin (1967) Design of real-time computer systems; cited in: John R. Ellis (1998) Objectifying Real-Time Systems. p. 249

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James Martin (author) 9
British information technology consultant and writer 1933–2013

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