Tech Report CS-88-18

Integration Mechanisms in the FIELD Environment

Steven P. Reiss

October 1988

Abstract:

Selective broadcasting is a mechanism that allows a wide variety of programming tools to be combined in an integrated environment. It follows the UNIX philosophy of allowing independent tools to cooperate easily though simple conventions while at the same time providing the functionality necessary to a complex programming environment. It is combined with an annotation editor that allows consistent, multi-function access to source files in the FIELD programming environment. FIELD demonstrates the power and capabilities of these mechanisms. It is currently being used for both instruction and research at Brown University.