Data network evolution and software development environment

The evolution of data communication networks as a reaction to telecommunication regulatory relief in the USA is discussed. The NYNEX INFO-LOOK information gateway is used to illustrate trends in the evolution of the data network architecture. How this affects software development technology is also discussed. Software development environments for communication systems required a system architecture which allows for fast and efficient software development. Architectures for data communication networks will be changing dramatically in the near future. This will require development environments with flexibility so they can adapt to changing network architectures and information processing hardware. Such an environment is referred to as the rapid development environment (RDE), to express its capability for fast adaptation to new network architectures and implementation hardware