Modelling systems that integrate programming language and environment mechanisms

Once we relax the assumption that it must be possible to specify programs solely in terms of text and enter them in isolation from other tools, the range of possible program development mechanisms is significantly increased. Thus, in the light of advances in the field of integrated software development environments and in view of the wider availability of suitable workstations, we should reconsider the way we perceive (and, hence design) programming languages. This paper describes on-going work aimed at exploring the role of the programming language in the context of modern software development environments. The work is currently focused on two fronts: the development of a formalism for describing both a programming language and associated environment mechanisms, and the design of environment mechanisms that support software maintenance and reuse, complementing those traditionally provided by programming languages. This paper focuses on work in the first of these two areas.