1. A general analysis system comprising: a data storage device; means for storing a general analysis program as a plurality of analysis primitives for performing at least one analysis on a set of data stored in said device; means for storing an analysis control data as a plurality of analysis modules for controlling said at least one analysis of said data set, each of said analysis modules being defined from and interpreted by one of said analysis primitives, and each of said analysis modules including: an indication of the analysis primitive which interprets its type; and control data which controls a part of said at least one analysis; and means for executing at least some of said analysis modules to perform said at least one analysis.