A Java/CORBA-based visual program composition environment for PSEs

A Problem Solving Environment (PSE) is a complete, integrated computing environment for composing, compiling and running applications in a speciic problem area or domain. Parts of the PSE are domain independent , such as the Visual Programming Composition Environment (VPCE), which may be used for constructing application in a number of diierent domains, however, other parts are domain speciic, such as rules to support particular types of components. A domain independent VPCE is rst described, which serves as a user interface for a PSE, and uses Java and CORBA to provide a framework of tools to enable the construction of scientiic applications from components. The VPCE consists of a component repository, from which the user can select oo-the-shelf or in-house components, a graphical composition area on which components can be combined, various tools that facilitate the connguration of components, the integration of legacy codes into components and the design and building of new components. The VPCE produces output using dataaow techniques in the form of a task graph, annotated with a performance model plus constraints for each component, expressed in XML. In addition, the VPCE supports a domain speciic expert system based on JESS 9] to guide the user in component selection and to perform integrity checking.