An on‐line computer system for point counting stereology

Abstract

SUMMARY Efficient application of point counting stereological methods in quantitative microscopy in biology and materials science depends on the availability of powerful and rapid counting and computing facilities. An on‐line computer system is described which is easily programmed without knowledge of a special programming language to perform counting, computation of parameters, and statistical tests automatically. By means of a master program, provided with the system, specific user's programs are compiled on a teletype in conversation with the computer by following simple instructions. The program is distinguished by great flexibility; it provides for statistical tests on the reliability of the sample analysed at any time during analysis. The final results are printed in tabular form as means and standard errors of the mean.