CADiSP-a graphical compiler for the programming of DSP in a completely symbolic way

The CADiSP system is discussed as an experimental software development environment for digital signal processing (DSP). The approach of using an interactive graphical editor for specifying systems by interconnecting black boxes hierarchically on different levels of abstraction and then automatically translating the block diagram into executable code is discussed. Basic building blocks for the most frequently used DSP functions are supplied in a library, but the programmer can freely define new functions using a specially designed language for expressing DSP algorithms. The programmer can also use the assembler language of the target processor which uses graphical elements to support structured programming even on this level. On all levels of abstraction the graphical specification is complete and thus can also serve as documentation. Possible extensions of the system are briefly discussed