Skip to main content

A Visual Environment for the Design of Distributed Systems

  • Chapter
Visual Languages and Applications

Part of the book series: Languages and Information Systems ((LISS))

Abstract

MCC’s Software Technology Program is developing technologies for the design and specification of distributed computer systems. This chapter presents verdi, a visual environment for distributed systems designers. The environment uses a visual language as the expression of design. The visual language is based on the syntax and semantics of Raddle, a textual distributed system specification language concurrently under development at MCC. verdi provides a powerful work environment which encourages initial use of a high level of abstraction and successive, simultaneous refinement of design segments. In this chapter, we describe verdi visual language syntax and semantics, give examples of its use, and describe the verdi workspace and tools for creation, simulation, and analysis of distributed system designs. Some areas of future work are listed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. P. C. Attie, A Guide to Raddle87 Semantics, STP-340-87, Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp., Austin, Texas, January 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  2. C. A. R. Hoare, Communicating Sequential Processes, Prentice-Hall International, London, 1985.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  3. K. M. Chandy and J. Misra, Parallel Programming Design: A Foundation, draft version, September 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  4. R. Guindon, H. Krasner, and B. Curtis, Breakdowns and processes during the early activities of software design by professionals, in Empirical Studies of Programmers, G. Olson, E. Soloway, and S. Sheppard (Eds.), Ablex, 1987, Norwood, N.J., pp. 65–82.

    Google Scholar 

  5. R. Guindon and B. Curtis, Control of cognition during software design: what tools would support software designers?, Proceedings of CHI’88, Washington, D.C., 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  6. N. Wirth, Program development by step-wise refinement, Commun. ACM 14, 221–227 (1971).

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  7. G. W. Furnas, The FISHEYE View: A New Look at Structured Files, Bell Laboratories Technical Memo, Murray Hill, New Jersey, October 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  8. J. Conklin, Hypertext: an introduction and survey, Computer 20(9), 17–41 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Graf, M.L. (1990). A Visual Environment for the Design of Distributed Systems. In: Ichikawa, T., Jungert, E., Korfhage, R.R. (eds) Visual Languages and Applications. Languages and Information Systems. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0569-9_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0569-9_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7871-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0569-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics