The ProtoJ Project

ProtoJ is a tool for the rapid construction of software prototypes. It has features similar to Visual Basic, Apple HyperCard, and Windows Toolbook. Using ProtoJ, a prototype interface is constructed with a standard drawing editor and a palette of commonly-used interface components. The interface components include menus, buttons, text areas, and others. When a prototype interface is constructed, prototype behavior is defined with simple program scripts. The scripts are associated with active interface components, such as buttons and menu items. Once the interface is composed and scripted, a user can interact with the prototype as if it were a functioning program. The functionality of the prototype is limited compared to a production software system, since prototype scripts typically do not implement all of the features of a production system.

The ProtoJ project is organized into the following directories:

• requirements -- user-level functional requirements for the project
• specification -- formal specification of the functional requirements
• prototype -- operational prototype, with limited functionality
• design -- architectural software design
• implementation -- implementation source and executables
• testing -- testing plans and results
• administration -- administrative and managerial information
• documentation -- audience-specific documentation, such as users manual and installation instructions