next up previous index
Next: 4.4.3 Input Deck Templates Up: 4.4 Control Level Previous: 4.4.1 Binding Function

4.4.2 Tool Resources

Each application is represented as a resource client that understands a set of resources. Similar to the resource mechanism employed in the X Window system [Jon89], a resource  is identified by its name, which is unique in the context of a given client, and a resource type. Interdependencies and default values may be specified for all resources of a client. All command-line arguments, required and optional parameters, operation modes, etc. of a tool are accessible as resources. This mechanism ensures that:

  1. All tool parameters are explicitly accessed, and
  2. Parameters of all tools are accessed in a uniform way.
Resources and resource clients are implemented as object classes in VLISP. Resource types comprise all basic LISP data types gif plus additional ones defined by the application.



Christoph Pichler
Thu Mar 13 14:30:47 MET 1997