E1AR0002@SMUVM1.BITNET.UUCP (11/30/87)
December 2, 1987, 1:30 PM Science Information Center, Southern Methodist
University
Express: Rapid Prototyping and Product Development via Integrated,
Knowledge-Based, Executable Specifications
ABSTRACT
Express includes integrated, knowledge-based, executable specifi-
cations and related tools to support the software development life
cycle, both rapid prototyping and full-scale engineering development.
We are building a prototype of Express at the Lockheed Software
Technology Center.
Express uses and extends powerful technologies--knowledge-based--
in relevant ways for aerospace products--domain languages, etc.--
across the software development lifecycle. Express builds on Cordell
Green's Refine technology from Reasoning Systems and extends it in
ways useful for aerospace software development.
Express provides knowledge-base support for
- programming knowledge and
- domain knowledge.
Express will provide executable languages, which are
- brief, in comparison to conventional high-level languages, and
- easy to comprehend.
Express makes a knowledge-based technology usable
- by systems engineers and applications specialists
- who are not experts in knowledge-based systems and
- who may use the system infrequently.
We employ human-factors analysis and the following approaches:
- Object-oriented user's model
- Direct manipulation: The user in control
- Bit-mapped graphical displays
- Point-and-select capabilities.
BIOGRAPHY
John W. McInroy joined the Lockheed Software Technology Center in
Austin, Texas, in November, 1986. He performs research in human
interface for Express, a prototype of a knowledge-based software
development environment. He published work-in-progress at the Fall
Joint Computer Conference in October, 1987, with Phillip J. Topping,
W. M. Lively, and Sallie V. Sheppard. In 1986, McInroy performed
research in human interface for the Proto software development
environment at International Software Systems, Inc. (ISSI), in
Austin, Texas.
>From 1978-1986, McInroy worked at IBM in Austin, Texas. He patented
eleven inventions and published nineteen others. He developed
fundamental user interface concepts for the Common User Access
portion of IBM's Systems Application Architecture (SAA). Earlier,
he specified parts of the user interface for Reportpack on the IBM
Displaywriter.
McInroy received an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the
University of North Carolina. In both graduate education and
subsequent career, he has pursued interests in human interface
and in software engineering.
McInroy can be contacted at the following address:
John W. McInroy
Lockheed Software Technology Center
Org. 96-01/Bldg. 30E
2100 E. St. Elmo Rd. 512/448-9715
Austin, Texas 78744 CSNET: McInroy@Lockheed.com