Visualized and modeless programming environment for form manipulation language

A visualized and modeless programming environment VPF (Visualized Programming environment for Form manipulation language) is presented. The VPF supports the development of programs written in a programming language called a form manipulation language. The language is a so-called iconic language and provides not only programming facilities but also form-oriented operations. VPF provides the following features: (1) hierarchical views that support views for various abstract levels of program specification and execution; (2) visualization of the program itself and its run-time behavior with graphical representation; and (3) modeless operations that enable a program to be developed under only one execution mode. These features give the programmers good comprehension of program development and enhance productivity and reliability of the application programs