Comparing inter-tool communication in control-centred tool integration frameworks

Abstract

This paper presents progress towards an approach to the precise description of tool integration devices, using an operational model based on information structures to formally describe tool integration devices. The approach is illustrated by describing selected features of the integration devices of two control-centred tool integration frameworks - a research prototype framework, FIELD, and a commercial framework, Hewlett-Packard's SoftBench. The paper shows how this approach facilitates the comparison of the features concerned and thus informs a discussion on the styles of integration which can be expressed in the two integration devices.