A Portable Graphics system for minicomputers

ABSTRACT

PIGLI (Portable Interactive Graphics Language Interpreter) is a high-level interactive graphics system implemented on an INTERDATA 8/32 minicomputer. PIGLI is written in sequential PASCAL and executes under the SOLO operating system, which is written in concurrent PASCAL and has been shown to be highly portable. This paper describes the major features of the PIGLI system including interactive programming commands, flexible hierarchic picture generation, referencing functions, query commands, exec files, and device independent output commands. In addition, the paper discusses the program design and its relationship to operating system and space considerations.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.2 Graphics Systems

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.5 COMPUTER SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.7 Distribution, Maintenance, and Enhancement
          Subjects: Portability

General Terms:
Theory

Keywords:
Computer graphics, High-level graphics language, Minicomputer system, Pascal, Portable software