Integrated tool support in object-based environments

A view-based composition mechanism suited to specifying cooperating environments in terms of groups of previously specified tools is presented. It is argued that this form of composition is more suited to database-centered environments than conventional channel-based composition techniques for the reuse of tools in tool configurations. The composition model, related ideas, limitations and possible extensions to the idea are discussed. An example from the domain of software engineering, where such a mechanism can prove useful, is also presented