Application frameworks: experience with MacApp

ABSTRACT

It is an unfortunate truth that as personal computers have become easier to use they also have become more difficult to program. Students who want to write programs that look and feel like real Macintosh applications, for example, are constrained by the time available and the sheer complexity of the application development process. We have found that several object-oriented programming systems have succeeded in abstracting out the commonalties of graphical user interfaces and can allow students to construct interactive, graphical applications at a lower cost. In this paper we describe our experiences in the use of MacApp, an application framework for the Apple Macintosh. The design and implementation of Prof, a prototype visual programming system for both educators and students developed by a final year student in a thirteen week project course, is used to illustrate the discussion. We describe the advantages and disadvantages of the object-oriented application framework approach in the expectation that our experiences will be useful for other educators who may be contemplating following this path.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: Pascal

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: User interfaces

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.6 Methodology and Techniques
          Subjects: Interaction techniques

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.3 Software Management
          Subjects: Software development
  K.8 PERSONAL COMPUTING

      Nouns: Apple

General Terms:
Human Factors, Languages, Management