A view to the selection of CACE tools

A simplified, user-oriented classification of available computer-aided control engineering (CACE) tools is discussed. Two classes of CACE tools are distinguished. (1) The language-oriented CACE tools are universal in the sense of supported problems as well as in the sense of supported methodologies. (2) The non-language-oriented CACE tools which are based on simpler dialogues, e.g. menu and form-fill-in dialogues, support only some classes of problems and methodologies. Therefore, they are specialized to some extent. A personal view of the selection of CACE tools is given. It is based on three kinds of control problems, i.e. exotic, difficult, and ordinary ones, which play a crucial role in problem solving.