THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF FLEXIBLE AND EFFICIENT INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING SYSTEMS.
Abstract
The dissertation treats interactive programming systems at three levels: (1) the design of an interactive programming system (IPS) from considerations of the psychological and intellectual needs of the user; (2) the implementation of an IPS which is both flexible for the human and efficient with computer usage; and (3) the construction of an IPS by bootstrapping. The bulk of the work centers on the second point. In particular, a method is developed for building an interpreter for a language (to achieve flexibility) which also yields a compiler for that language as a (relatively cheap) byproduct. Programs 'become' compiled in the process of being interpreted, but are able to respond to changes in the interactive environment as if they were being interpreted only. With such an interpreter/compiler, bootstrapping becomes a visible means of building an IPS. This is especially valuable in making the interfaces between the human and the system easily malleable to suit the user's needs and abilities. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0712721
Entities
People
- James G. Mitchell
Organizations
- Carnegie Mellon University