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From: des@jplpro.JPL.NASA.GOV (David Smyth)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.smalltalk
Subject: Browsers
Message-ID: <663@devvax.JPL.NASA.GOV>
Date: Wed, 4-Nov-87 19:30:34 EST
Article-I.D.: devvax.663
Posted: Wed Nov  4 19:30:34 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Nov-87 18:00:27 EST
Sender: news@devvax.JPL.NASA.GOV
Reply-To: des@jplpro.JPL.NASA.GOV (David Smyth)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA.
Lines: 33

I think one of the reasons O-O systems are so hard to take advantage
of is the steep learning curve: it takes awhile to learn all the
classes (Software-ICs).  I think a Browser, which understands the
class hierarchy, is vital to reducing the time it takes to become
productive using an O-O system.

We are beginning to design a system using OOD.  It will be implemented
in either Objective-C or C++, with currently strong leanings toward
Objective-C.  Unfortunatly, neither of these languages has the same
support as those neat-o O-O systems that Xerox has blessed the world
with.  Neither SEEMS to have a Browser.  My plea to the net:

1)  Does anybody know of a useful Browser for either O-C or C++?

2)  What are the most important capabilities of a Browser?

3)  What tools would be most useful for developing O-O applications
under UNIX/NeWS/X11 using O-C or C++?

It is important for me to get feedback from actual developers
who are using complete O-O systems, so I am asking the readers of
this newsgroup instead of the C++ group.  We can Blue-sky with
the best of them, but we need some input from people who know that
O-O tools are not just YAOOLC (yet another O-O language compiler).

PLEASE REPLY TO THE NET, NOT VIA E-MAIL!  I want a discussion,
not a tutorial.
----------------------------------------------------
David Smyth
david@smythsun.jpl.nasa.gov

"OOD - isn't that what old hippies do?"
"OOD - Object Overdose!"