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 specific 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 different domains, however, other parts are domain specific, such as rules to support particular types of components. A domain independent VPCE is first 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 scientific applications from components. The VPCE consists of a component repository, from which the user can select off-the-shelf or in-house components, a graphical composition area on which components can be combined, various tools that facilitate the configuration of components, the integration of legacy codes into components and the design and buiding of new components...