Re: Typing Ada

[zellich@ALMSA-1.ARPA.UUCP]

In INFO-ADA Digest Vol 88 #115, Bob Munck discusses using language-aware
"outline processors" for writing and modifying Ada code; he also mentions
"Doug Englebart's fantastic system with the mouse and chord keyboard" from
"about twenty years ago".

It is probably little known, but Tymshare (whatever they're called now
that McDonald-Douglas bought them up) markets the current version of
Dr. Engelbart's system (called AUGMENT these days), which has hooks to
let you add language-specific constructs to the BASE editor (so you can do
things like issuing "Insert IF-ELSE" commands).  Unfortunately for most of us,
it only runs under the TENEX or TOPS-20 operating systems.

They also happen to have a MiniBASE product that is a major subset of the
BASE editor, and runs on the IBM PC family.  I don't know whether the mini
version has the hooks to add language-specific constructs or not, but it
does use a mouse - and sells for only $59.50.  They also made chord-keyset/mouse
packages for a while, but nobody outside that community ever took to the keyset
so they stopped making and selling it.

I don't know who the marketers are these days, but Raylene Pak
<RDP.TYM@OFFICE-1.ARPA> might be the right person to start with.  A query to
FEEDBACK@OFFICE-1.ARPA should also get you pointed in the right direction.

Disclaimer: I've corresponded with Raylene Pak about getting MiniBASE and
their AUGTERM (Augment workstation emulation package for the PC family)
product, but I haven't actually used the software yet.  I'm a long-time user of
Tymshare's hardware and software, but haven't had any contractual connection
with them for several years.