jbb@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com (Jim B. Byers) (11/27/90)
HP INTERFACE ARCHITECT SHORTENS
USER INTERFACE-DEVELOPMENT TIME
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HP Interface Architect caption:
HP Interface Architect from Hewlett-Packard Company is the
an interface development tool that allows programmers to
develop and test the complete behavior of an applications
user interface. Programmers using the product can develop and
test application user interfaces interactively based on the
X Window System and Motif.
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PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 22, 1990 -- Hewlett-Packard
Company today introduced the HP Interface Architect, a
software tool designed to facilitate development and
testing of user interfaces.
The company believes HP Interface Architect is the
first Motif interface-development tool that allows programmers to
develop and test the complete behavior of an application's
user interface.
HP Interface Architect supports the development and
test of application user interfaces based on the X Window
System and Motif. HP Interface Architect runs on the
HP 9000 Series 300, 400,600 and 800 workstations under the
HP-UX 7.0 operating system. HP-UX is based on and fully
complies with AT&T's UNIX* system.
*Visual, Interactive Design*
Designing and writing the user interface for an
application frequently is the most complex and
time-consuming part of the software-development process.
"Studies show that between 50 and 80 percent of the
total code written for an application is devoted to the
interface," said Chung C. Tung, manager of HP's Interface
Technology Operation. "With HP Interface Architect,
programmers can complete the development of the user
interface quickly, and interactively concentrate on
programming their applications."
HP Interface Architect allows programmers to draw the
interface on the screen (rather than writing code) by
selecting interface components from menus and positioning
them on the screen. The programmer then can interactively
move and resize components, change resources and add or
delete components with the touch of a button.
*Test As You Go*
HP Interface Architect's built-in C interpreter
encourages an interactive approach to user-interface
testing. Programmers toggle between creating a user
interface's behavior and interactions with non-user
interface code. All this is done without experiencing the
traditional delays of normal edit, compile and debug
cycles.
*Code Generation*
After the interface has been designed and tested
interactively, programmers can use HP Interface Architect
to generate the C/Motif code associated with the interface. That
code, equivalent to handwritten code, can be ported easily
to non-HP platforms.
*Support of Open-systems Standards*
HP Interface Architect has been designed to open-
system standards. It supports the entire set of Motif
Widgets and Gadgets. Open standards preserve the
investment in software development by facilitating
portability to non-HP platforms.
*Benefits Experienced and Novice Programmers*
Although toolkits, such as Motif, make designing user
interfaces easier, the task still requires specialized
technical knowledge. HP Interface Architect provides an
ideal learning environment for novice programmers through
interactive experimentation.
HP Interface Architect gives experienced programmers
more time to concentrate on developing application code
rather than on developing interface code line by line.
*U.S. List Prices and Availability*
The HP Interface Architect license-to-use ranges from
$5,000 for a single-user license to $60,000 for a 25 user license.
The media and manual package is available for $500. HP Interface
Architect is available immediately.
Hewlett-Packard Company is an international
manufacturer of measurement and computation products and
systems recognized for excellence in quality and support.
The company's products and services are used in industry,
business, engineering, science, medicine and education in
approximately 100 countries. HP has 92,000 employees and
had revenue of $11.9 billion in its 1989 fiscal year.
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UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T in the U.S.A. and
other countries.
Motif is a trademark of the Open Software Operation.
Sales information may be obtained by
calling 1-800-752-0900. Please refer to product number B1163A.
Technical data subject to change without notice.