Application development in the DeSyGNER environment: dynamic assembly of independent information resources via direct manipulation authoring.

Dynamic assembly of applications from diverse and possibly disparate collections of information components is a key element for powerful information management environments. Traditional methods of application development hinder flexible integration of information components because they treat computer programs as single units of functionality; inter-application connections and sharing of intra-application information components are achieved only by special cooperation between program authors. We have created a multimedia applications development architecture called DeSyGNER (the Decision Systems Group Nucleus of Extensible Resources) that provides a generalized framework for the inter-connection of independently developed units into applications. By focusing on composition methods or paradigms for constructing applications from modular, reusable units, DeSyGNER fosters sharing and cooperation in application development.