Linkage versus integration for binding data base and interactive graphics systems

Abstract A technique for binding data base and interactive graphics systems is presented and compared with other binding methods to indicate the essential differences and the corresponding trade-offs. Whereas the binding method that has been used in previous works is the integration of the graphics and data base systems through a specially designed interface, the method implemented here depends on establishing a linkage between these two systems using the file management module of the host operating system. The details of the linkage technique including the linkage mechanism, manipulation of both graphical and nongraphical data and the role of the operating system file manager are emphasized. A case study using a stock control example illustrates the implementation of the linkage method, binding a relational data base system and a computer-aided design graphics package. The example examines various operational conditions, including multilevel graphical structures.