A Java/CORBA-based visual program composition environment for PSEs
Abstract
A problem solving environment (PSE) is a complete, integrated computing environment for composing, compiling and running applications in a specific problem area or domain. A visual programming composition environment (VPCE) is described, which serves as a user interface for a PSE, and uses Java and CORBA to provide a framework of tools to enable the construction of scientific applications from components.
The VPCE consists of a component repository, from which the user can select off-the-shelf or in-house components, a graphical composition area on which components can be combined, various tools that facilitate the configuration of components, the integration of legacy codes into components and the design and building of new components.
The VPCE produces output using dataflow techniques in the form of a task graph, annotated with a performance model plus constraints for each component, expressed in XML. In addition, the VPCE supports a domain specific expert system based on JESS (Ernest Friedman-Hill, JESS: The Java Expert System Shell. See web site at: http://herzberg.ca.sandia.gov/jess/, 1999) to guide the user in component selection and to perform integrity checking. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
