Re: Project Center inspiration sshots

[Philippe C . D . Robert]

Hi,

On Jan 3, 2005, at 11:55 AM, Björn Giesler wrote:
> Am 03.01.2005 um 10:39 schrieb stefan@agentfarms.net:
> > What do you think about something similar in ProjectCenter?
>
> I think this is a good idea, but the Smalltalk browser could do with 
> some modernization, IMHO. I've been thinking about a UML-based 
> development environment for a while (don't know if such a thing 
> exists). The Smalltalk class browser could be mapped to this, but what 
> is gained is a much better overview over the interplay of system 
> components. I've attached a small mockup.
>
> Does something like this already exist? What does everybody think?

UML based development exists already for some time, see for example 
Rational Rose. But be warned, this is a highly complex matter. Not 
without a reason there are not many (usable...) such tools available! I 
am not sure this is the way PC should evolve.

Another idea could be support for the "model driven architecture" (MDA) 
paradigm which is very common for business applications today (say 
EOF...). For more information see

http://www.omg.org/mda/

But again, I don't think this the main purpose of PC.

As the name implies, PC should IMHO be the tool which glues together 
all steps of a development project. Hence PC shouldn't become a 
specialised tool itself, but it should seamlessly integrate such tools 
into the development process if needed! Right now there is just Gorm as 
an example, but other such tools could be a good visual debugger, a 
profiler, a class browser or an UML tool of course.

cheers,

-Phil
--
Philippe C.D. Robert
http://reality.sgi.com/probert/