Data aspects of graphical applications experience from an engineering joint study

Abstract

This paper reports on experience with an Application Support System, called SMART. The SMART prototype was developed to investigate DP techniques in the Engineering environment, including graphics. Several of these applications involve highly complex geometric and physical objects, which are manipulated on graphic screens. In many cases it is not possible beforehand to establish precisely which structures will best describe the application and help solve its problem. This observation holds not only for the application data themselves, but also for the picture and dialog structures that will eventually serve the user. Often modifications and additions are demanded many times during the life-time of an application.

SMART was proven to satisfy these needs for engineering applications. Moreover, the prototype was validated in a whole range of ancillary application types, some of which were in the administrative domain.