On designing intelligent hypertext systems for information management in software engineering
Pankaj K. Garg, Walt Scacchi · 1987
Information management in IaTge scale soflware engineering is a challenging problem. Hypertext systems are best suited for this purpose because of the diversity in information types that is permitted in the nodes of a hypertext. The integration of a hypertext system with software engineering tools results in a software hypertext system. We descn’be the design of such a system called DIF. Based on our experiences in using DIF, we recognized the need and the potential foT developing a hypertext system that could utilize knowledge about its users and theiT software tasks and products. Such a system might then be able to act as an active participant in the software process, rather than being just a passive, albeit useful stoTage facility. As such, we define an Intelligent Software Hypertext System (I-SHYS~) as a software hypertext system which is knowledgeable about its environment and can use such knowledge to assist in the software process. This knowledge is partly embedded in the design of an I-SHYS [in terms of the ‘agents ’ that I-SHYS suppoTts) and partly defined during the use of I-SHYS (in terms of tasks that agents perform). We present a framework GOT defining and organizing this knowledge, describe potential uses of such knowledge, identify limits of OUT approach, and suggest methods jot cbcumventing them. 1