Evolution of a graphical user interface for the rapid prototyping of real-time embedded systems
By: Kenneth Brett Moeller
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 431
Description: The Computer-Aided Prototyping System (CAPS) is an integrated collection of software tools that support the development of software systems utilizing the prototype paradigm. Central to CAPS is the Prototype System Description Language (PSDL). The PSDL Editor supplied in CAPS Release 1 provided a unique combination of a graphical interface for editing PSDL data flow diagrams and an attribute-grammar based text editor to enforce syntactically correct PSDL prototypes. Feedback from CAPS users highlighted on productivity impacts due to the dual user interface as well as the steep learning curve required to become proficient with the attribute- grammar based text editor. This research initiates the development of the next generation of the CAPS PSDL Editor, focusing on the graph editor. Our approach provides a single graphical user interface with pull-down menus for editing both graphical and text information. Automatic syntax generation and validation as well as limited semantic validation is provided by a background syntax/semantics checker. The result of this research is a working graph editor meeting all the new requirements. When integrated with a the new syntax/semantics checker, CAPS release 2 will have a PSDL Editor with enhanced capabilities and expected productivity improvements.
Notes: "September 1997."

Thesis advisor(s): Man-Tak Shing, Valdis Berzins.

Thesis (M.S. in Computer Science)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 1997.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 429-430).

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat reader.
Table of contents: label: I
title: Introduction
pagenum: 1; label: A
title: Background
pagenum: 1; label: B
title: Caps Release 1 PSDL Editor
pagenum: 4; label: C
title: Research Goal
pagenum: 12; label: II
title: Prototype System Description Language (PSDL)
pagenum: 13; label: A
title: PSDL Prototype
pagenum: 14; label: 1
title: Component Structure
pagenum: 17; label: 2
title: Abstract State Machines
pagenum: 17; label: 3
title: Abstract Data Types
pagenum: 19; label: B
title: Data Flow Diagram
pagenum: 20; label: 1
title: Operators
pagenum: 23; label: 2
title: Streams
pagenum: 24; label: 3
title: State Streams
pagenum: 25; label: 4
title: Constraints
pagenum: 26; label: C
title: Hierarchical Network
pagenum: 30; label: 1
title: Root Operator
pagenum: 31; label: 2
title: Stream Consistency
pagenum: 32; label: 3
title: Timing
pagenum: 33; label: 4
title: Visibility
pagenum: 33; label: D
title: Lexical Elements
pagenum: 34; label: 1
title: Character Set
pagenum: 34; label: 2
title: Integer Literals
pagenum: 35; label: 3
title: Real Literals
pagenum: 35; label: 4
title: String Literals
pagenum: 35; label: 5
title: Text
pagenum: 36; label: 6
title: Identifiers
pagenum: 36; label: 7
title: Reserved Words
pagenum: 36; label: 8
title: Delimiters
pagenum: 38; label: 9
title: Comments
pagenum: 38; label: E
title: PSDL Execution
pagenum: 39; label: III
title: PSDL Syntax/Semantic Considerations
pagenum: 41; label: A
title: Syntax and Semantic Knowledge Distribution
pagenum: 44; label: B
title: User-Specified PSDL Constructs
pagenum: 45; label: C
title: Hierarchical Structure
pagenum: 47; label: D
title: PSDL Validation and Generation
pagenum: 56; label: 1
title: Validation of PSDL Constructs by the Graph Editor
pagenum: 57; label: 2
title: PSDL Redundant/Derived Data
pagenum: 59; label: 3
title: PSDL Semantic Consistency by the Graph Editor
pagenum: 60; label: E
title: PSDL Syntax Changes
pagenum: 62; label: 1
title: PSDL Data Flow Diagram Properties
pagenum: 63; label: 2
title: Unique Identifier Suffixes in CAPS Release 2
pagenum: 65; label: IV
title: User-Interface Design
pagenum: 69; label: A
title: PSDL Editor Environment
pagenum: 70; label: 1
title: PSDL Editor Layout
pagenum: 70; label: 2
title: Component Identification
pagenum: 73; label: 3
title: Types of Components
pagenum: 79; label: 4
title: Display Indications
pagenum: 82; label: 5
title: Cursor Types
pagenum: 84; label: 6
title: Mouse Interface
pagenum: 85; label: 7
title: Hot Keys
pagenum: 86; label: B
title: PSDL Mapping
pagenum: 86; label: C
title: PSDL Editor Operation
pagenum: 86; label: 1
title: PSDL Editor Segment Synchronization
pagenum: 88; label: 2
title: Data Flow Diagram
pagenum: 90; label: 3
title: Navigation
pagenum: 98; label: 4
title: File Operations
pagenum: 99; label: 5
title: Syntax/Semantics Checking
pagenum: 100; label: 6
title: PSDL Output
pagenum: 102; label: V
title: Implementation
pagenum: 103; label: A
title: Architecture Overview
pagenum: 103; label: 1
title: Program Evolution
pagenum: 103; label: 2
title: Architecture
pagenum: 111; label: 3
title: Data Communications
pagenum: 111; label: 4
title: Synchronization
pagenum: 112; label: B
title: Graph Editor Data Structures
pagenum: 113; label: C
title: Utilities
pagenum: 114; label: 1
title: Graph Editor Utilities
pagenum: 114; label: 2
title: Inter-Process Communication
pagenum: 115; label: 3
title: Unique Identifier Generator
pagenum: 115; label: 4
title: Program Development Aids
pagenum: 116; label: D
title: Graph Editor
pagenum: 117; label: VI
title: Conclusions and Recommendations
pagenum: 119; label: A
title: Results of Research
pagenum: 119; label: B
title: Critic of Research
pagenum: 121; label: 1
title: User Interface
pagenum: 121; label: 2
title: Implementation
pagenum: 122; label: C
title: Recommendations for Future Research
pagenum: 123; label: Appendix A
title: PSDL Grammar
pagenum: 127; label: Appendix B
title: Prototype Example
pagenum: 133; label: 1
title: Architecture
pagenum: 133; label: 2
title: Mapping to PSDL
pagenum: 135; label: 3
title: Prototype
pagenum: 136; label: 4
title: CAPS Release 1 Compatibility
pagenum: 137; label: 5
title: Lessons Learned
pagenum: 145; label: 6
title: Avionics Example PSDL Code
pagenum: 147; label: Appendix C
title: PSDL Unique Suffix Naming Convention Memo
pagenum: 177; label: Appendix D
title: Graph Editor Program Source Code
pagenum: 181; label: Appendix E
title: Installation
pagenum: 425; label: 1
title: Software Requirements
pagenum: 425; label: 2
title: Compiling the Graph Editor
pagenum: 425; label: 3
title: X Window System Customization
pagenum: 426; title: List of References
pagenum: 429; title: Initial Distribution List
pagenum: 431