Data views for a programming environment
Robert N. Robson · eScholarship@McGill (McGill) · 1988
A data structure editor is presented for use in an integrated, fragment-based programming environment. This editor employs high resolution computer graphics to present the user with an iconic representation of the internal storage of a running program. The editor allows the creation, modification, and deletion of data structures. These abilities allow the user to quickly sketch data structures with which to test incomplete program fragments, alleviating the need for driver routines. To keep the user cognizant of events inside his program, a technique for automated display management is presented allowing the user to keep the most important objects in the viewport at all times. A history facility permits the user to see the former values of all variables. Execution controls are provided allowing the user to control the scope and speed of execution, manipulate frames on the run-time stack, set breakpoints, and profile the executing algorithm.