Integrated project support environments

Abstract The paper presents an overview of integrated project support environments (IPSEs) which are software development environments intended to support large, long-lifetime software projects. The logical structure of an IPSE is discussed from the view that the IPSE is a set of layered facilities. Each layer in the set is described. Standardization is important for future IPSE development and standard public tool interfaces are discussed. Common ada programming support environment interface set (CATS) and portable common tool environment (PCTE) are introduced. Examples of tool and user interface integration in an IPSE are provided using the Eclipse IPSE as an exemplar. Deficiencies in current systems and future developments in this area are addressed.