Automated code generation from graphical, reusable templates

GE has been developing a tool that allows the user to draw signal block diagrams describing control law processing, and then automate the generation of code for various target languages. To improve coverage of the tool, a graphical method useful for capturing the program structure and control aspects was desired, and is addressed by flowcharts. Within the flowchart structure, subroutine and macro calls can be made, as well as simple assignment statements. These allow designing the executive and logical structure of the program using a graphical technique. Truth tables are also often supplied by the customer as part of the requirements documentation and can be used to generate code. A symbol is available within the flowchart to read a truth table from the existing documentation and generate code from the defined logic. With the development of the tool software productivity has been steadily increasing