GIDTS: a graphical programming environment for Prolog

ABSTRACT

This paper puts forward the Graphical Interactive Diagnosing, Testing and Slicing System (GIDTS) which is a graphical programming environment for PROLOG programs. The IDTSpart of the system integrates Shapiro's Interactive Diagnosis Algorithm with the Category Partition Testing Method (CPM) and a slicing technique performing the algorithmic debugging and functional testing of PROLOG programs. The integration of IDTS with a graphical user interface (GUI) supports the whole functionality of IDTS and provides a user-friendly environment giving the user more information on the state of the debugging process. GIDTS extends IDTS to a complete programming environment. It allows one to handle the debugging of complex programs using the extended syntax and semantics of PROLOG in a very flexible way. A static code diagnosis has also been implemented. In addition GIDTS supports debugging-directed editing of the source program, and a quick source code navigation via any of the tools (for example: the debugger, the static call graph and the information retriever). All these features are supported by the graphical user interface.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: User interfaces
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: Prolog

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Languages, Measurement, Performance, Theory, Verification