Environment piJ for visual programming in Java

Abstract

Authoring tool /sup /spl pi//J (piJ) is based on original results in the areas of visual languages and programming technology. It is developed in 2 main versions: (a) a tool to program in Java (as stay-alone tool, as add-on for MS FrontPage, and as a component of our MetaCalc environment); (b) add-on for MS FrontPage to develop fragments in JavaScript. The software supports chart versions of Java and JavaScript in V. Prokhorov's (1992) structured /spl pi/-chart, flow-chart, and Nessie-Shneidermann structure grams. /sup /spl pi//J includes tools to convert a plain Java text to chart and back. The tool allows the user to change textual representation of any structured part of a program to a graphic one and back. The tool realizes technology of extension/cutting of the user language and technology of linking with external languages. A version of a tool supports programming of microprocessor Z8 in visual assembler. The tool can be used in software design, education, Web design, supercomputing, and other areas.