The GeoSim Interface Library for Introductory Programming Courses

GeoSim接口库（GIL）为在MS-DOS、Macintosh和X Windows编程环境下运行的程序提供了一组通用的图形用户界面函数。编写用于访问GIL的应用程序软件。这样，程序只需要编写一次就可以在这三种编程环境下运行。GIL处理大多数典型的GUI任务，比如窗口显示；支持重叠窗口的存储管理；鼠标与按钮，拖动区域，列表和滑块的交互。GIL支持帮助屏幕和警告框。GIL还包括对非典型应用程序开发特性的额外支持，如日志文件、数据文件处理和独立于用户界面对象和操作（用于离散事件模拟）的时间驱动函数。现有的GUI开发系统不能为我们多样化的学生群体提供必要的多平台能力。幸运的是，GIL已被证明易于学生和研究人员使用，并且可以很容易地适应课堂使用。该建议寻求获得适当的人力资源，使GIL成为本科生在入门编程课程中可以使用的工具。GIL提供了一个GUI库，用于编写类编程作业。在编程入门课程中使用GUI可以让学生在编写应用程序方面开始早期练习，更像他们在工作中要做的那样。对GIL系统的增强包括图形界面开发人员，它允许学生以交互方式将用户界面元素放置在屏幕上，更好地支持字体和窗口后台存储，以及课堂准备的文档和示例。GIL，包括源代码和文档，将通过tabsInternet免费分发。

9455403 Shaffer The GeoSim Interface Library (GIL) provides a common set of Graphical User Interface functions for programs running under the MS-DOS,Macintosh and X Windows programming environments. Application program software is written to access GIL. In this way, programs need only be written once to run under these three programming environments. GIL handles most typical GUI tasks, such as window display; backing store management for overlapping windows; mouse interaction with buttons, drag regions, lists and sliders. GIL supports help screens and alert boxes. GIL also includes additional support for non-typical applications development features such as log files, data file processing, and time-driven functions independent of user interface objects and actions (used for discrete event simulations). Existing GUI development systems do not provide the multi-platform capability necessary for our diverse student population. Fortunately, GIL has proven to be easy to use by students and researchers alike, and can easily be adapted to class use. This proposal seeks to obtain the modest manpower resources necessary to make GIL a tool that can be used by undergraduates in introductory programming courses. GIL provides a GUI library for use in writing class programming assignments. Use of a GUI in introductory programming classes allows students to begin early practice in writing applications programs more like what they will do in their jobs. Enhancements to the GIL system include a Graphical Interface Developer that allows students to interactively place user interface elements on the screen, better support for fonts and window backing store, and classroom ready documentation and examples. GIL, including source code and documentation, will be freely distributed via tabsInternet.