marms@sandia.UUCP (06/15/87)
Note:
I am posting this for a friend who is not on Usenet. Please send any
replies to me and I will forward. He will consider any commercial,
PD, freeware, or shareware sulutions. Thanks.
Mike Arms
uucp: ...{ucbvax | gatech}!unmvax!sandia!marms
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I am looking for a solution to a problem. This problem is the result
of the solution I chose to another problem.
First an introduction to the initial problem and solution (and
implementation of solution).
Problem : Interactive operator interface (touch panels). Menus and
menu linkages are going to be dynamic (i.e. the HF engineers
are going to change their minds several times - already have).
Solution : Data driven software. Not only helps us now, but the next phase
or tag-along programs will have an easier job of making changes.
Implementation : Data driven state machine :
states - basically represent menus, but occasionally represent
intermediate software steps. States have one or more
transitions.
transitions - basically represent menu selections. However,
frequently these will represent some form of
exit code from an operator or software activity.
All transitions have an associated action and
next state (which could be rhw current state).
actions - an action consists of a menu to be displayed, prompt
to be displayed, and/or procedure to be called.
NOTE : If no procedure is called, all transitions
are a function of menu selections. If a procedure
is called, transitions are based on an exit code
from the procedure (which could be a menu selection
made while the procedure was executing).
So what is the problem I need a solution to? There are three of these
data driven state machines in our system. There are three interactive devices
in the system and all are independent for the most part. Two of these state
tables are going to be very extensive.
Problem : A manually generated state table is going to be a bitch to
generate, a bigger bitch to verify, and a pain in the ass
to debug and update.
Solution Set : Some sort of software package that will help me build/
update/etc... these state tables. I am expecting
to write some form of post processor/translator.
Currently I am looking at a couple of alternatives : Micro-Saint and
PC-Easy. I am looking at manuals and talking to users, but I have a
feeling that neither of these are going to be terribly helpful. I may
eventually have to write something. I'd rather not because we have enough
damn software to write, and my project leader would probably make me do
the thing in ADA since it could be considered newly developed support software.
Anyway, if you have any ideas, or if you would like to put some
feelers out, I would appreciate it greatly.
Thanks alot,
Ed Knolls
--
Mike Arms
uucp: ...{ucbvax | gatech}!unmvax!sandia!marms