Russel L. Winder

Towards a cognitive browser for OOPS

Software engineers have developed sophisticated “object‐oriented” programming environments that are intended to make the reuse of program code easy. Experience has shown that these environments can be improved: Even very experienced programmers have problems in locating and comprehending code for reuse. Programs cannot be modified as readily as had been anticipated. We describe the problems in terms of “cognitive dimensions” of notational systems and show how improved support for opportunistic design may be achieved. A central tenet is that programmers are not at present able to externalize enough of their knowledge about a program. We propose a scheme for attaching a “description level” in which arbitrary attributes and relationships can be recorded in a “browsable” form. Our conclusions stress improving the means for programmers to represent facts rather than the provision of predefined knowledge bases.

On languages, models and programming styles

La terminologie utilisee pour la classification des langages de programmation ainsi que la nature meme de cette classification sont discutees

'Slick Systems' and 'Happy Hackers': experience with group projects at UCL

The authors describe their experience of group projects in the practical teaching of software engineering over a period of eight years. Their initial projects tended to be too challenging, and few groups managed to produce complete pieces of work. They have deliberately simplified tasks slightly, resulting in less frustration and better projects, so that students reap more benefits. Students learn about division of work, co-operation with others and scheduling of time. As students are required to provide assessments of other projects and of the contributions of members of their own project group, they are also encouraged to develop critical faculties. The staff effort involved in this method of teaching compares quite reasonably with traditional lectures.

Software engineering in the first degree

This paper describes the role that software engineering has played in the development of the undergraduate degree in computer science at University College London. The authors discuss their philosophy for teaching software engineering and describe their experiences to date.

General-purpose crossassembler for 8-bit microprocessors

Abstract A study of microprocessor instruction sets is presented. The techniques devised to implement a general-purpose crossassembler for 8-bit machines are described. The program has been implemented on a VAX-11/750 under Berkeley Unix 4.1 BSD.

CoSIDE and parallel object-oriented languages

Carbon-metal catalysts having a substantial amount of catalytically active metal, e.g. silver, deposited thereon in zero-valent, small cluster form, are prepared by vapourizing the metal under low vapour pressure conditions in the vicinity of an organic liquid solvent e.g. tetrahydrofuran, such that the metal dissolves in the solvent as a labile solvated zero-valent metal complex. This complex is contacted with the carbon so that the complex diffuses onto the surface of the carbon and also into the pores thereof.

JDB: an adaptable interface for debugging

In the Unix environment there are a number of debugging tools. None are universally popular and many programmers choose not to use any of them at all. In this paper we present a study of existing debuggers. We highlight a number of reasons why they may not be popular and we discuss some of the features that programmers look for in a debugging aid. Finally, we report on the development of a new screen‐based interface, JDB, and some informal results of its usage.

Modelling 8-bit microprocessors for a general-purpose simulator

Abstract The paper describes a study of the structure of 8-bit microprocessors and the development of a simulator to assist in the crossdevelopment of software for systems based on these processors. The heart of the simulator is an interpreted ‘microprogrammable’ processor. Using one execution algorithm and a processor description, the simulator can simulate a large range of 8-bit microprocessors. A number of user interface issues associated with the simulator are addressed.

Is Object-oriented the Answer?

This chapter investigates the object-oriented approach to systems and systems development to see whether this new paradigm is actually an advance or whether the hype surrounding it is based on pure fantasy. A summary definition of the object model is presented along with a summary of some of the features expected of something claiming to be object-oriented. Some computer architectures and programming languages are compared and contrasted with the object model, resulting in the view that, indeed, the object-oriented approach has much to offer. The chapter then goes on to consider some of the issues relating to development environments. Again the object-oriented approach has much to offer. There are, however, a number of problematic issues, both technical and from the point of view of usability, in current object-oriented programming languages and development environments. Thus, whilst the paradigm has much to offer, it is clearly not the answer, only a step in evolution.