The encapsulation of legacy binaries using and XML-based approach with applications in ocean forecasting

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-87).This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.This thesis presents an XML-based approach for the encapsulation of legacy binaries. A method that utilizes XML documents to describe the various parameters and settings for the compilation and execution of an encapsulated binary is discussed. The binary is treated as a black-box component and the XML description for that binary contains relevant restrictions, such as input and output files and runtime parameters read in from the standard input stream. The proposed XML schema design constrains the aforementioned XML descriptions of binaries. The usage parameters for the binaries are expressed by such XML documents. A prototype system is then able to take any of these schema-conforming XML descriptions and display the relevant user controls in a graphical user interface (GUI). Instead of editing obscure script files, the user can make changes to build-time and runtime parameters for a binary using the presented system interface. After validating the user inputs, the system generates the required script files automatically and proceeds to compile and/or execute the binary. The Primary Equation Model binary of the Harvard Ocean Prediction System (HOPS) was successfully encapsulated using the presented approach. The customization and control of the binary's compilation and execution through a GUI was achieved.by Robert C. Chang.M.Eng

A Java/CORBA based Visual Program Composition Environment for PSEs

A Problem Solving Environment (PSE) is a complete, integrated computing environment for composing, compiling and running applications in a specific problem area or domain. Parts of the PSE are domain independent, such as the Visual Programming Composition Environment (VPCE), which may be used for constructing application in a number of different domains, however, other parts are domain specific, such as rules to support particular types of components. A domain independent VPCE is first described, which serves as a user interface for a PSE, and uses Java and CORBA to provide a framework of tools to enable the construction of scientific applications from components. The VPCE consists of a component repository, from which the user can select off-the-shelf or in-house components, a graphical composition area on which components can be combined, various tools that facilitate the configuration of components, the integration of legacy codes into components and the design and buiding of new components..

Emergence through conflict : the Multi-Disciplinary Design System (MDDS)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 2009.Includes bibliographical references (p. 413-430).This dissertation proposes a framework and a group of systematic methodologies to construct a computational Multi-Disciplinary Design System (MDDS) that can support the design of complex systems within a variety of domains. The way in which the resulting design system is constructed, and the capabilities it brings to bare, are totally different from the methods used in traditional sequential design. The MDDS embraces diverse areas of research that include design science, systems theory, artificial intelligence, design synthesis and generative algorithms, mathematical modeling and disciplinary analyses, optimization theory, data management and model integration, and experimental design among many others. There are five phases to generate the MDDS. These phases involve decomposition, formulation, modeling, integration, and exploration. These phases are not carried out in a sequential manner, but rather in a continuous move back and forth between the different phases. The process of building the MDDS begins with a top-down decomposition of a design concept. The design, seen as an object, is decomposed into its components and aspects, while the design, seen as a process, is decomposed into developmental levels and design activities. Then based on the process decomposition, the architecture of the MDDS is formulated into hierarchical levels each of which comprises a group of design cycles that include design modules at different degrees of abstraction. Based on the design object decomposition, the design activities which include synthesis, analysis, evaluation and optimization are modeled within the design modules.(cont.) Subsequently through a bottom-up approach, the design modules are integrated into a data flow network. This network forms MDDS as an integrated system that acts as a holistic structured functional unit that explores the design space in search of satisfactory solutions. The MDDS emergent properties are not detectable through the properties and behaviors of its parts, and can only be enucleated through a holistic approach. The MDDS is an adaptable system that is continuously dependent on, and responsive to, the uncertainties of the design process. The evolving MDDS is thus characterized a multi-level, multi-module, multi-variable and multi-resolution system. Although the MDDS framework is intended to be domain-independent, several MDDS prototypes were developed within this dissertation to generate exploratory building designs.by Anas Alfaris.Ph.D