View in EDS

Chips: A Tool for Developing Software Interfaces Interactively.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Chips: A Tool for Developing Software Interfaces Interactively.
Language: English
Authors: Cunningham, Robert E., Pittsburgh Univ., PA. Learning Research and Development Center.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 63
Publication Date: 1987
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Naval Research, Arlington, VA.
Intended Audience: Researchers
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Computer Graphics, Man Machine Systems, Menu Driven Software, Programing, Programing Languages
Abstract: This report provides a detailed description of Chips, an interactive tool for developing software employing graphical/computer interfaces on Xerox Lisp machines. It is noted that Chips, which is implemented as a collection of customizable classes, provides the programmer with a rich graphical interface for the creation of rich graphical interfaces, and the end-user with classes for modeling the graphical relationships of objects on the screen and maintaining constraints between them. This description of the system is divided into five main sections: (1) the introduction, which provides background material and a general description of the system; (2) a brief overview of the report; (3) detailed explanations of the major features of Chips; (4) an in-depth discussion of the interactive aspects of the Chips development environment; and (5) an example session using Chips to develop and modify a small portion of an interface. Appended materials include descriptions of four programming techniques that have been found useful in the development of Chips; descriptions of several systems developed at the Learning Research and Development Center using Chips; and a glossary of key terms used in the report. (EW)
Entry Date: 1988
Accession Number: ED290438
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This report provides a detailed description of Chips, an interactive tool for developing software employing graphical/computer interfaces on Xerox Lisp machines. It is noted that Chips, which is implemented as a collection of customizable classes, provides the programmer with a rich graphical interface for the creation of rich graphical interfaces, and the end-user with classes for modeling the graphical relationships of objects on the screen and maintaining constraints between them. This description of the system is divided into five main sections: (1) the introduction, which provides background material and a general description of the system; (2) a brief overview of the report; (3) detailed explanations of the major features of Chips; (4) an in-depth discussion of the interactive aspects of the Chips development environment; and (5) an example session using Chips to develop and modify a small portion of an interface. Appended materials include descriptions of four programming techniques that have been found useful in the development of Chips; descriptions of several systems developed at the Learning Research and Development Center using Chips; and a glossary of key terms used in the report. (EW)