


aide(1)          U.S. Geological Survey (wrdapp)          aide(1)


NAME
       aide - ANNIE Interaction Development Environment

ABSTRACT
       AIDE provides a consistent methodology for building interactive
       interfaces for environmental software.  The AIDE package is based on
       a re-evaluation of currently available tools and ideas for
       constructing a character-based user interface.  Accordingly, the
       library draws on a expanding body of knowledge of the human factors
       involved in effective design of man-machine interfaces.  By
       providing a straightforward but powerful set of tools and a detailed
       consideration of the best way to use these tools, the AIDE software
       and manual greatly reduce the difficulty a programmer will encounter
       in developing an interactive user interface.

       The AIDE package can be utilized to build a user interface for
       virtually any type of computer program or computer-stored data base.
       Potential applications range from generating input files from user-
       supplied data for already existing scientific or environmental
       models to allowing user access to data bases for the purpose of
       searching, analyzing, or displaying data values.  AIDE provides
       applications programmers with the tools needed to build and store a
       convenient user interface whenever and wherever there is a need to
       perform one or more of the following operations:

          o  display text
          o  prompt the user to select a menu option
          o  prompt the user to input or edit displayed values
          o  open a file to store or retrieve text and other information

       The advantages gained by using AIDE for interface development center
       on four concepts:  modularity, consistency, portability, and ease of
       application.  The system utilizes a library of routines to perform
       the basic communications functions between the user and the program.
       Repeated use of these subroutines allows the programmer to focus
       attention on designing an effective sequence of interactions while
       minimizing the effort needed to program the more mechanical aspects
       of the interface.  At the same time, the repeated use of modular
       routines decreases the likelihood of introducing programming errors.

METHOD
       The user interface was developed under the guidance of Dr. Albert
       Badre of the Georgia Institute of Technology who provided expertise
       on human-computer interaction.  The established theory and practice
       of user interfaces were used.

HISTORY
       1989 - first release

DATA REQUIREMENTS
       AIDE is a character-based user interface.  Input is from the
       keyboard.  The function keys and arrow keys may be used if they are
       available.  There is a command file option to simplify the use of
       repetitive options.  Details for each menu and form, such as the



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aide(1)          U.S. Geological Survey (wrdapp)          aide(1)


       options, limits, valid entries and help information, are created in
       a text file in a special format for use by AIDE.  This file gives
       the programmer an easy way to edit the information that is displayed
       on the screen.

OUTPUT OPTIONS
       Programs using AIDE communicate with the user in a window that is 23
       lines long by 80 characters wide.  Help information and the valid
       responses for data fields are available to the user.  AIDE supports
       the use of a tutorial.  A log of the user's responses is saved for
       every program session; this log can be used for command file input.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
       UNIX-based computers (supported:  Data General AViiON and Sun
       SPARCstation).

       DOS-based computers having a math coprocessor and 4 mb of memory
       (supported: IBM-compatible computers with a 386 or greater
       processor).

       AIDE is written in Fortran and C.  Generally, it is easily installed
       on other platforms.

APPLICATIONS
       AIDE is used for the user interface for a number of U.S. Geological
       Survey supported programs, including ANNIE, IOWDM, HSPEXP, GLSNET,
       PEAKFQ, SWSTAT, and QWGRAF programs, which see.  AIDE is also used
       in a number of programs supported by the Environmental Protection
       Agency.

DOCUMENTATION
       Kittle, J.L., Jr., Hummel, P.R., and Imhoff, J.C., 1989, ANNIE-IDE,
          a system for developing interactive user interfaces for
          environmental models (programmers guide): U.S. Environmental
          Protection Agency, EPA/600/3-89/034, Environmental Research
          Laboratory, Athens, Ga., 166 p.

TRAINING
       There are no regularly scheduled classes for AIDE.

CONTACTS
       Operation and Distribution:
          U.S. Geological Survey
          Hydrologic Analysis Software Support Team
          Kate Flynn
          437 National Center
          Reston, VA 20192

          h2osoft@usgs.gov

       Official versions of U.S. Geological Survey water-resources analysis
       software are available for electronic retrieval via the World Wide
       Web (WWW) at:




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aide(1)          U.S. Geological Survey (wrdapp)          aide(1)


                  http://h2o.usgs.gov/software/

       and via anonymous File Transfer Protocol (FTP) from:

                  h2o.usgs.gov (path: /pub/software).

       AIDE is part of the lib library.  The WWW page and anonymous FTP
       directory from which the LIB software can be retrieved are,
       respectively:

                  http://h2o.usgs.gov/software/lib.html
                                --and--
                  /pub/software/general/lib

SEE ALSO
       annie(1) - Program to list, table, plot data in a WDM file
       hass-cui(1) - Character-based user interface
       wdm(1) - Watershed Data Management system







































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