Using an ER query and update interface for rapid prototyping of hypertext systems

The author discusses a method for rapid prototyping of hypertext systems using an entity-relationship (ER) query and update interface. Prototyping of a hypertext system for literate programming is shown as an example. The approach is based on utilizing a relational database management system as a major component of the prototyped system. An ER query and update interface is described. Such an interface allows an interactive manipulation of ER database schemas. Sample interactions between a user and the system are given. During the process of manipulation of ER diagrams the information needed to generate an equivalent SQL query is accumulated. A hypertext system for literature programming is described, and the architecture of a prototype system is presented