| Abstract: | In order to alleviate the existing software crisis, data base application developers require a revolutionary approach for developing their applications. A graphical environment is suggested for this purpose. This dissertation describes and demonstrates a design and implementation of a prototype graphical environment for hierarchy data base application development (HIDAD). The HIDAD graphical environment is composed of a graphic tool box, a graphic language, a graphic editor, a macro generator, and an application organizer. The HIDAD environment is designed for system specifications, design, development, and maintenance on a microcomputer, and for system implementation and maintenance on a mainframe computer. The utility of this environment is demonstrated using IMS/VS data base applications. A methodology for designing a complete hierarchical data base application system through a set of primitive templates and a set of software parts is described. Primitives designed using this methodology are used to develop a library of reusable parts and a library of software templates for implementing the system. A domain analysis of hierarchical data base (IMS/VS) functions, data base application functions and structure of implementation language serves to define basic primitive templates. The graphic tool box contains a set of tools for generating the vocabulary of HIDAD graphic language. The graphic language is designed for representing data base applications. The microcomputer based graphic editor is used to input and maintain the graphical representation of the system. This can generate intermediate code from graphical specifications. The macro generator uses the intermediate code in the mainframe computer and produces macros in COBOL, IMS, JCL and WYLBUR from primitive templates. The application organizer organizes the above macros from the respective libraries into an executable application program. |
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