Interactive Graphics in Data Processing: A system for implementing interactive applications

This paper discusses a system designed for interactive problem solving by use of a graphic display console. Existing application programs can readily be modified for use with a graphic display device, and the graphics programming can usually be done in a higher-level language. Based on intermediate results, the order of execution of application modules can be controlled from the console. The system description emphasizes the structure and generation of display formats for displaying output, for accepting user-defined commands, and for accepting data that is made accessible to the application modules. Also described is a generalized data structure and a set of experimental routines designed to adapt the structure to particular needs.