AN OBJECT-ORIENTED FRAMEWORK FOR INTERACTIVE NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS IN A GRAPHICAL USER-INTERFACE ENVIRONMENT

A simple object-oriented framework is presented for computer programs which require interactive numerical analysis in a Graphical User Inter face environment. The work attempts to bridge the current gap between purely analytical programs and interactive programs developed solely f or graphics. Our proposed scheme is based on user interaction through a three-dimensional view, a menu system, a control bar, a tool box and a status bar. Displayed objects are derived from a common parent obje ct class Element, while objects encapsulating user interactions are de rived from a common parent class Tool. A class Framework holds Element and Tool objects, as well as a view object, a control bar object, a t ool box object and a status bar object. Examples involving interactive finite element beam analysis and interactive finite difference bearin g pressure analysis are given. The paper argues that programming inter active analyses need not be difficult if an object-oriented approach i s adopted.