Generic interface constructs for flexible interaction

The author outlines current work on the human-computer interface to the ASPECT IPSE. A software engineering environment should be distinguished on the one hand from standard operating systems by the high level and integration of the services it provides. On the other hand, it should differ from standard application clusters by the openness it offers to new devices, tools, and users. The first criterion requires genericity, the second flexibility. At the user interface both these requirements have special significance. The ease of design and ease of use of the user interface is critical to the performance and development of the environment as a whole. Ease of design implies that new application interfaces can be developed, or old ones upgraded, with the minimum of cost. Ease of use ensures that productive time is not wasted fighting through to the underlying functionality