Visualisation of scalar and vector fields with visual programme construction

The software package “AVS/Express” provides tools for the visualization of complex scientific data however also allows researchers to create experimental data representations. Field data interpretation applications are constructed using a visual programming environment, and includes graphical user interface tools (GUI). AVS/Express presents a screen giving overall control of the operating paradigm. Called the “network editor”, it contains iconic representations of programme modules. Coloured lines connecting the modules represent data and control relationships in the application. Unlike other programming environments, no distinction is made between library components and running versions of these components, and dynamic changes of the running programme is allowed. The modules in the network editor are managed by the system provided object manager. Control, messages, and shared data areas are managed by the object manager. The objects defined in the system, as well as the visual programming system and the object manager, are based on object oriented concepts. How the system behaves with regards to a traditional C++ program development environment is summarised