Web-based environment to support aerodynamic testing

Over the past several years, a Web-based environment to support aerodynamic testing has been under development at the Aerodynamics Laboratory of the Institute for Aerospace Research, National Research Council of Canada. As a mechanism for interacting with users, the WWW offers one significant advantage over other, more traditional techniques: it is "easy". More specifically, it is easy to use, easy to distribute, easy to expand, easy to develop, and easy to maintain. The web-based testing environment at the Aerodynamics Laboratory currently consists of five primary applications, nine secondary applications, and a large number of Web pages containing documentation, system status, and links to outside information. These resources may be accessed via "home pages" created for clients and staff. The five primary applications are a data file viewer, a plotting system, a configuration file editor, a dynamic data display system, and an event recording and display system. The secondary applications include a units conversion calculator, an electronic test specification form for use by the engineering staff, and several software support tools for use by the IT personnel.